Accidents have been abolished.
For many years RTA was police shorthand for a Road Traffic Accident,but it has been replaced by RTC - Road Traffic Collision.
The reasoning is that an accident may not be anyone's fault, hence no prosecution. A collision, on the other hand, opens the way to an investigation. That is why it is now normal practice to keep a motorway closed for some hours while the scene is examined for signs of a crime, particularly if there has been death or injury.
Mind how you go, now.
Musings and Snippets from a recently retired JP. I served for 31 years, mostly in west London. I was Chairman of my Bench for some years, and a member of the National Bench Chairmen's Forum All cases are based on real ones, but anonymised and composited. All opinions are those of one or more individuals. JPs swear to enforce the law of the land, whether or not they approve of it. Nothing on here constitutes legal advice.
you don't think accidents involving death or serious injury merit investigation?
ReplyDeleteOf course not. Let's get the cars flowing again. It's only Traffic and everyone knows it's not a serious matter
DeleteWhat about accidents that don't involve death or serious injury? He implied that they close the road for hours to investigate those as well.
DeleteHas it made any difference ? Apart from increasing inconvenience.
ReplyDeleteI think there are episodes of The Bill from the late 90s which call them RTCs. Is this really news in 2014?
ReplyDelete