On January 22, 2019 the Quinte West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have launched the province’s newest Collision Reporting Centre (CRC).
Motorists involved in a property damage collision, within the municipality of Quinte West, are now able to report their collision at CRC which is located at the Quinte West Detachment at 3 Dixon Drive in the city of Quinte West.
Eight similar OPP CRCs can be found in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Essex detachments of the OPP. Drivers involved in a property damage collision in any of these detachment areas can now conveniently report their collision to any of these CRCs within 48 hours of the occurrence.
The Highway Traffic Act requires that all collisions where people are injured, property damage is valued at more than $2,000 to vehicles or property, or there is damage to any highway property be reported to Police forthwith. Reporting to the CRC will meet this requirement.
Property damage collisions consume a large amount of police resources and time as well as put all involved occupants at risk of being involved in a secondary collision and greater risk of injury. Quinte West OPP attended 1148 property damage collisions over a two year period. That is 82% of all reported collisions.
The Quinte West OPP will continue to offer the same service in responding to collisions that require an officer to attend, however, many collisions on Quinte West highways are minor in nature and drivers are able to clear their vehicles quickly and safely off the highway without police assistance. An officer who attends a collision may direct those involved persons to attend the CRC.
One of the goals is to ensure that these property damage collisions no longer increase traffic congestion and reduce the chance of a more serious collision from occurring. This is achieved by diverting motorists to a location off the highway to allow the administration of reporting the collision..
Collision involving the following will continue to have an officer investigate the collision at the scene:
- Death or Injury
- Transportation of dangerous goods
- Involving large commercial motor vehicles
- Fail to remain (unless no driver or vehicle information available for follow up)
- Collision where there is suspicion of criminal activity
- Suspended or unlicenced drivers
- Uninsured vehicles
- Drivers refusing to share required information to other drivers
- Vehicles blocking live lanes of traffic
- Damage to private, public or government property
- Government vehicles, or
- Collisions involving a pedestrian or cyclist
An involved driver at any collision may request to have an OPP officer attend the scene if the collision has occurred in OPP jurisdiction.
The Collision Reporting Centre at Quinte West OPP Detachment hours of operation will be Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the exception of statutory holidays.