On-Site Citations - Best Practices Investigation

Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) enforcement agencies differ in their approach to writing citations following CMV crashes. Some will write citations on the scene, while others will await completion of the final accident report – days or weeks later. These differing practices have several important implications, especially with respect to determining if the citations are appropriate, the impact on writing citations for more serious offenses after earlier citations and the need for DOT post-accident testing.

Differing approaches to post-accident citations may have important consequences, such as on appropriate penalties for actions and needed justification for DOT post-accident testing.

CVSA should evaluate current and best practices for the writing of citations on-site after commercial motor vehicle crashes. After doing so, the organization should consider the merits and drawbacks of writing citations promptly versus awaiting completion of accident reports. Then, CVSA can determine if uniform processes should be developed and recommended.