Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   Highway Safety/Collision Investigation

 Title Abbreviation:   COLLISION INVESTIGATION

 Department:    CJ

 Course #:    218

 Credits:    4

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    4

 CIP:    430103

 EPC:    832

 REV:    2018


 Course Description  

Study of theories and basic techniques of collision investigation. Learn terminology, preparation of appropriate documents and formulate speed from skid, scuff and vehicle damage; how to collect, identify, and preserve traffic collision data for courtroom preparation.

 Prerequisite  

None

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 44

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Elective  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
N/A

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate proper procedures for misdemeanor and felony vehicle stops. Legal, safe, orderly and effective search of vehicles.
  2. Identify areas of the vehicle commonly used to conceal weapons or contraband. Recognize indicators of persons driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Demonstrate proper techniques for violator contacts.
  3. Demonstrate proper techniques for issuing citations and making safe arrests involving traffic situations.
  4. State the first duties of an officer at the scene of an accident. Describe physical evidence to note and record in an accident investigation.
  5. Identify the tools essential to managing the scene and conducting the investigation.
  6. Recognize potential hazards at the scene and prescribe remedies. State procedures for protection of personal property at accident scenes.
  7. Understand the role of enforcement actions in the accident prevention program.
  8. Develop an acceptable accident report from a simulated incident complete with scaled diagram and narrative.
  9. Describe flare patterns to be utilized at accident scenes. Describe how to interview witnesses at the scene.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

0. Application and Integration

Definition: Applying information from one or more disciplines and/or field experiences in new contexts (Outcome 0.1); developing integrated approaches or responses to personal, academic, professional, and social issues (Outcomes 0.2-0.5).

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
0.2 Identify the strengths and limitations of different fields of study.
0.3 Identify and evaluate the relationships among different perspectives within a field of study and among different fields of study.

1. Information Literacy

Definition: Recognizing when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
1.1 Determine the extent of information needed.
1.2 Access the needed information effectively, efficiently, ethically, and legally.
1.3 Evaluate information and its sources critically.
1.4 Evaluate issues (for example economic, legal, historic, social) surrounding the use of information.
1.5 Effectively integrate and use information ethically and legally to accomplish a specific purpose.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and facts related to a specific discipline.
2.3 Identify, interpret, and evaluate pertinent data and previous experience to reach conclusions.
2.7 Identify and evaluate connections and relationships among disciplines.
2.9 Apply and/or create problem-solving strategies to successfully adapt to unpredictable and/or changing environments.

3. Communication

Definition: Understanding and producing effective written, spoken, visual, and non-verbal communication.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
3.3 Demonstrate effective listening skills.
3.5 Recognize, comprehend, and use non-verbal behaviors appropriate to a given context.
3.7 Adapt communication to diverse audiences and media.

8. Mathematical Reasoning

Definition: Understanding and applying concepts of mathematics and logical reasoning in a variety of contexts, both academic and non-academic.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
8.1 Analyze problems to determine what mathematical principles apply.
8.2 Correctly apply logical reasoning and mathematical principles to solve problems.
8.3 Interpret information and reasoning expressed mathematically (for example in spreadsheets, diagrams, charts, formulas, etc.).
8.4 Communicate mathematical information effectively.

9. Scientific Literacy

Definition: Understanding scientific principles, and analyzing and applying scientific information in a variety of contexts.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
9.1 Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental scientific concepts.
9.2 Demonstrate their understanding of the principles of scientific methods, analysis, and reasoning.
9.3 Analyze, apply, and communicate scientific concepts and principles in context (for example, in technological, personal, and/or professional situations).
9.4 Use scientific concepts and principles to understand the natural world, human behavior and culture, and relationships between humans and the rest of the natural world.

10. Technology

Definition: Understanding the role of technology in society and using technology appropriately and effectively.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
10.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the development and impact of technology in human experience (history, global, and local).
10.2 Demonstrate an understanding of legal, ethical, and environmental issues in the use and misuse of technology.
10.3 Use technology appropriate to the context and task to effectively retrieve and manage information, solve problems, and facilitate communication.
10.4 Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of technology in one’s personal and professional life.

Course Contents

  1. The safe misdemeanor and felony vehicle stops. Deal with violator contact and proper searching of vehicles.
  2. Recognition of/dealing with suspected persons driving under influence of alcohol or drugs.
  3. Issuance of citations and making an arrest.
  4. Ability to use the traffic template in developing speed and skid factors.
  5. Investigate and document a simulated accident approved by Washington State Parks.
  6. Measurement, recording and drawing of scaled diagrams. Proper procedures for photographing accident scenes.
  7. Proper procedures to manage an accident scene to protect visitors, property and evidence.
  8. Proper techniques to utilize when investigating accidents other than motor vehicles.
  9. Necessity for identifying, reporting and investigating those accidents that may evolve into Tort Claims against the State of Washington.