Saint Mary’s University_Criminology Review Center 1

Subject: Traffic Management & Accident Investigation

Review Notes in 6. Elephant – the Carthaginians used African

elephants in their war against Rome.
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT & ACCIDENT Elephants were used to carry heavy loads.
INVESTIGATION 7. Horse – In Europe, horses were used to
draw wheeled vehicles and for riding for
TRANSPORTATION – is the movement or conveying sometime until the introduction of
of persons and goods from one location to another. mechanized vehicles.
8. Camel - camel were used to carry loads.
NOMAD (Greek) – to pasture. Refers to pastoralists, Two kinds of camel: two-humped bactrian
groups that migrate in an established pattern to find camel of Central Asia and the one-humped
pasture lands for their domestic livestock. dromnedary camel of Arabia.
9. Yak – a long-haired type of cattle that lives at
Two types of nomads: high altitude on the Tibetan platue used to
carry heavy loads where horses could not
1. Who wonder in search for food. survive.
2. Who observe annual cycle of pastures whose
availability determined by the alteration of hot C. WIND POWER – man realized the energy from
and cold or wet and dry season. the mass of moving air and learned to utilize such
power to lift rather than to drag. Origin of air
Early Types of Transportation: lifted transportation.
1. Ancient Chinese Kite – Based on Korean
A. MANPOWER – Early man who had no tradition, kites were first used for transport
domesticated animals carry their own burdens. when a Korean General used in bridge
1. Carrying Pole - goods are carried by means building.
of pole 2. Da Vinci’s Ornithopter - Leonardo Da Vinci
2. Backload and Tumpline - goods are made study of the flight of birds. He
carried on the back dicovered ornithopter which derives its
3. Sledge on Rollers – moving heavy burdens principal support and propelling from flapping
on sledge which rested on a series of rollers wings like those of birds.
4. Sledge on Runners – loads are carried on a 3. Montgolfier Balloon - France Joseph
sledge Michel and Jacques Entienne Montgolfier
5. Travois - device used by Native North proposed to use balloon to transport
Americans of the Great Plains for condemned prisoners. It is constructed with
transporting their tepees and household linen and inflated with hot air.
goods. It consisted of two poles, lashed one 4. Siemen’s Rocket Plane – Ernst Werner Von
on either side of a dog or, later, a horse, with Siemens, a electric industrialist, in 1874
one end of each pole dragging on the designed rocket plane propelled by explosive
ground. force of gun powder.
5. Lilienthal Glider – Otto Lilienthal, German
B. ANIMAL POWER – domesticated animals were inventor , like da Vinci, he studied the flight of
used to carry loads birds. His chiefwork was with glider.
1. Ox – cattle which was first used to carry 6. Santos Dumont’s Airship – Alberto Santos
loads in Mesopotamia Dumont, a Brazilian inventor who designed a
2. Reindeer - first domesticated in Siberia in lighter than air-craft balloon called airship.
the beginning of Christian era. Deer draws 7. Wright Brothers’ Flying Machine - Orville
sledge and Wilbur Wright designed the biplane kite.
3. Dog - the first domesticated animal used to 8. Lindergh’s Spirit of St. Louis – Capt.
carry loads Charles Lindergh made the solo flight in an
4. Donkey – first domesticated in the Middle airplane from Paris to London in May 1927.
East. Donkey caravan carry goods within the plane was called “Spirit of St, Louis”.
Southwest Asia and Egypt.
5. Llama - in pre-Colimbian America, the
Llama was the only new world animal
other than the dog capable of
domestication for transport.

-criminator_budz// [jonathan r. budaden]

 Saint Mary’s University_Criminology Review Center 2
Subject: Traffic Management & Accident Investigation

ROADS AND VEHICLE HISTORY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Some Inventions that led to modern land  Management – it refers to the skillful use of
transportation: means to accomplish an objective.
 Traffic – (French trafique/Italian traffico) which
A. Wheel – it was invented in Western Asia. It was means to carry on trade, of uncertain origin. It
used in crude carts and wagons. It enabled to refers to the movement of persons, goods or
transport burdens beyond the power of man or vehicles, either powered by combustion system
animals to carry or drag. or animal drawn, from one place to another for
1. Solid wheels on fixed axle – it is made up to the purpose of travel.
single piece of wood rotated on single axle.  Traffic Way – refers to the entire width between
2. Sumerian chariot with flank wheels - this boundary lines of every way or place of which
chariot, of 2400 BC, had solid wheels built up any part is open to the use of public purposes of
of three pieces. vehicular traffic as a matter of right or custom.
3. Spoked wheel – wheel with spokes, in Greek  Roadway – Part of a traffic way where motor
quadrica vehicles pass.
4. Roman Carpentum – a closed two-wheeled  Shoulder – Part of a traffic way along the
cart roadway.
5. Italian cocchio – a travelling wagon in which  Island – Those structures on the road separate
the passangers were protected by a covering that serve as guide to road users.
of leather or cloth fixed over a wooden  Pedestrian Island – An elevated island usually
framework. along the road intended for pedestrian use.
 Cross walk/ pedestrian lane – Traffic lanes
B. Wheeled Vehicles - requires wider roads for the intended for pedestrian crossing the road.
movement.
Major Causes of Traffic Congestions:
C. The Invention of Bicycles – Hobby Horse (19th 1. Physical Inadequacy
Century) was one of the modern ancestors of 2. Poor Control Measures
modern bicycles. The wheels were made of 3. Human Errors
wood, with tire of iron and riders push themselves 4. Poor Maintenance
along with their feet on the ground.
THE PILLARS OF TRAFFIC
D. Pneumatic Tires – inlated by air (by John Boyd
Dunlop 19th Cenutury) 1. TRAFFIC ENGINEERING - The science of
measuring traffic and travel the study of the basic
E. Motor Vehicle – the first transportation laws relative to the traffic law and generation. It
1. Etienne Lenoir (1860) – motorized carriage, refers to the professional practice of planning,
Internal combustion engine. deciding, and operating traffic system to achieve
2. Nicolaus Otto and Gotlieb Daimer – safe and efficient transportation of persons and
pioneered gas engine goods.
3. Rudolf Diesel – developed internal Functions:
combustion engine similar with gasoline  fact-finding, survey
engine but does not require electrical ignition  supervision and maintenance
which uses diesel fuel;  planning of traffic regulation
4. Henry Ford (1908) – introduced the Model T
5. Felix Wankel – developed an advance type of 2. TRAFFIC EDUCATION - It is the process of
engine that operates very differently from gas giving training and practice in the actual
and diesel engines. It is started by a moving application of traffic safety knowledge.
cranckshaft;
6. Presently, the introduction of the light rail 3. TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT - This pillar deals
transit, the metro rails, fly over and other with the enforcement or implementation of traffic
modern traffic ways contributed to the laws, rules and regulations.
expeditious movement of traffic users. Agencies Responsible:
LTO ( licensing, registration and inspection)
Legislative bodies
Police Traffic Enforcement
-criminator_budz// [jonathan r. budaden]
 Saint Mary’s University_Criminology Review Center 3
Subject: Traffic Management & Accident Investigation

4. TRAFFIC ECOLOGY OR TRAFFIC Issuance of DL before birthdate

ENVIRONMENT – This is a recent pillar of traffic Date of issue …… 10 November 1990
management deals with the environmental safety Driver’s Birthday … 6 December 1948
against:  1st Bday ……. 6 December 1990
a. Noise  2nd Bday …….6 December 1991
b. Vibration  3rd Bday ……. 6 December 1992 ( Expiry date)
c. Air pollution
d. Dirt Issuance of DL after birthdate
e. Visual Intrusion Date of issue ………… 10 November 1990
f. loss of privacy Driver’s Birthday ……. 19 August 1944
g. changes in tha amount of light  1st Bday ……….. 19 August 1991
h. others  2nd Bday ………. 19 August 1992
 3rd Bday ………. 19 August 1993 (Expiry date)
5. TRAFFIC ECONOMY – This is the most Restriction Codes:
recent pillar of traffic management which deals 1 – Motorcycle/motorized tricycles
with the benefits and adverse effect or traffic to 2 – Vehicle up to 4500kg GVW
our country. Traffic operation is designed to 3 – Vehicle above 4500kg GVW
expedite the movement of traffic. Traffic 4 – Automatic clutch up to 4500kg GVW
congestion adversely affects the economic status 5 – Automatic clutch above 4500kg GVW
of the commuting public. 6 – Articulated vehicle up to 1600kg GVW
7 – Articulated vehicle from 1601 kg to 4500kg GVW
Basic Information on Drivers License 8 – Articulated vehicle from 4501kg and above GVW
9 – Disabled
Driver’s License (DL) – an authority granted to a
qualified individual to operate a motor vehicle. Conditions:
A – wear eye glasses
General Types of DL B – drive only with special equipment for upper limbs
C – Drive only with special equipment for lower limbs
1. Professional – issued to an individual whose D – Daylight driving only
means of living is driving. Applicant must at E – Accompanied by person with normal hearing
least be 18 years of age.
2. Non-professional – issued to an individual to Requirements:
drive MV without compensation. Applicant must a. Must be at least 18 for prof; 17 for non-prof and
be at least 17 years of age. 16 for SDP
 At least 4 months old for conversion to b. Physically and mentally fit
professional driver’s license c. Can read and write Filipino/English
3. Student Driving Permit – issued to an d. Valid license ( SDP- 1 mo. For NPDL; SDP-
individual who desires to learn to operate MV. 5mo/NP-4mo for PDL)
Applicant must at least be 16 years of age. e. Medical Certificate
 At least 5 months old for conversion to f. Written and actual examination
professional driver’s license g. License fee
 At least 1 month old for conversion to non- h. (Drug Test)
professional driver’s license
4. International Driver’s License – Foreigners Administrative Order No. 84AO-003 – provides the
who are professional drivers may be issued System of Operation in the monthly staggered
NON-PROFESSIONAL Driver’s License in the registration of motor vehicle.
Philippines.
The last digit of the license plate determines the
Validity of Driver’s License monthly schedule of registration of the MV and the
middle digit determines the working days within the
1. SDP – valid for I year from date of issuance week when the MV Registration shall be renewed.
2. Professional /Non-professional DL - valid for 3
years. It will expire on the 3rd birthdate of the
licensee comencing from the date of issuance.

-criminator_budz// [jonathan r. budaden]

 Saint Mary’s University_Criminology Review Center 4
Subject: Traffic Management & Accident Investigation

3 ………………… Senate President

Last Digit: 4 ………………… Speaker of the House
1 – January 5 ………………… Chief Justice
2 – February 6 ………………… Cabinet Secretaries
3 – March 7………………… Senators
4 – April 8…………………. Congressmen
5 – May 9………………… Associate Justices, SC
6 – June 10……………….. Presiding Justices, CA, SB
7 – July 11……………….. COMELEC/ COA/ CSC
8 – August Commissioners
9 – September 12……………….. Cabinet Undersecretaries
0 – October 13……………….. N.A.
14……………….. Chief of Staff/ PNP DDG
Middle Digit: 15……………… N.A.
 1-2-3 - first week of registration month (any 16…………….. … RTC Judges
working day from 1st to 7th day of registration 17………………… MTC Judges
month)
 4-5-6 – second week of registration month (any
working day from 8th to 14th day of the registration SPEED LIMIT:
month) Cars/MC MT/Buses
 7-8 – third week of registration month (any
working day from 15th to 21st day of the 1. Open country roads
registration month) with no blind corners 80km/hr
 9-0 – fourth week of the registration month (any 50km/hr
working day from 22nd to 31st day of the
registration month) 2. Thorough street/blvd
with no blind curves 40km/hr
Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) – When a 30km/hr
driver’s license is confiscated for traffic violation/s, he
shall be issued TOP which serves as his tentative 3. City/mpl streets with
license good for 72 hours. light traffic 30km/hr
30km/hr
Batas Pambansa 43, s-1979 – provides policies on
the classification of MV. 4. Through crowded sts,
appr. Intersection at 20km/hr
General MV Classification: blind curves, passing 20km/hr
school zones or for
1. Private MV – vehicles which are registered for similar dangerous
private use. Green plate. circumstances
2. FOR HIRE MV – vehicles authorized to operate
as public utilities by virtue of certificates of
public conveyance. Yellow plate. RIGHT OF WAY – This principle refers to the legal or
3. GOVERNMENT MV – vehicles owned by the customary precedence (priority in time and place)
government of the Philippines, including which allows one vehicle to cross or pass in front of
government owned and controlled another.
corporations. Red plate
4. DIPLOMAT MV – vehicles owned by foreign Rules of Right of way (Sec. 42-44 of RA 4136)
government. Blue plate. 1. In case of two vehicles approaching or entering
5. COMMEMORATIVE PLATES – plates issued an intersection at the same time, the driver of
to groups, organizations or associations subject the vehicle on the left shall yield right of way;
to the approval of the Office of the President. 2. In the case of a vehicle approaching but has
not yet entered the intersection, its driver shall
PROTOCOL PLATE DESIGNATIONS yield right of way to vehicles already within the
PLATE NO. OFFICE intersection or turning therein to the left across
1/ PANGULO…… President the line of travel of the first mentioned vehicle.
2 ………………… Vice President
-criminator_budz// [jonathan r. budaden]
 Saint Mary’s University_Criminology Review Center 5
Subject: Traffic Management & Accident Investigation

3. In case of vehicle on a highway within business signals are used to control traffic at junctions and
or residential district, its driver shall yield right also to stop traffic to provide safe crossing points for
of way to pedestrians crossing the highway pedestrians.
within a crosswalk, except at intersections  Steady Red - STOP at the designated line
where traffic is regulated by a peace officer or a  Steady Green - GO. Vehicles going straight
traffic signal have the right of way
 Steady Yellow - PREPARE TO STOP. Do not
Exception to Right of Way beat a yellow light.
1. A vehicle entering from a private road shall  Flashing Red - Bringing vehicle to STOP at the
always yiled right of way to vehicles utilizing designated line and proceed only when clear.
the highway  Flashing Yellow - Yield sign. Proceed through
2. The driver of a vehicle upon a highway shall the intersection with caution..
yield the right of way to police or fire  Flashing Green - Vehicles facing this signal are
department vehicles and ambulances when permitted to turn left or go through while
such vehicles are operated on official opposing traffic faces red signal..
business.

ROAD MARKS – These are pavement marking that

pertains to all lines, patterns, words, colors or other
gadgets set into the surface or applied upon or
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
attached to the pavement or curbing or to objects
within or adjacent to the roadway, officially placed for When we deal with traffic accident
the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic. investigation, we wanted to know
1. Two-lane One way street – both vehicles are
traversing toward the same direction WHAT WENT WRONG?
2. Two-lane Two way street – both vehicles are
traversing on the opposite direction Purposes:
3. Four-lane Two way street – two vehicles are
traversing toward the same direction while two 1. Everyone involved is curious about the cause
other vehicle are traversing toward opposite and circumstances of the accident
direction separated by a solid line . 2. For the Police – to find out wether the is
4. Single White dotted line – overtaking is enough evidence of law violation in the
allowed at anytime when clear accident
5. Single Continuous line – overtaking or 3. Incurance claims
passing is only allowed there is no oncoming 4. Officials wanted to know specific information
vehicles, not safe to pass about the incident to formulate policies in the
6. Double Continuous line – overtaking or prevention of the same
passing is not allowed.
Five Levels of Activities in Accident Investigation
TRAFFIC SIGNS – Sinages posted along the road
used to convey information needed by road users. 1. Reporting – it involves basic data collection to
identify and classify a motor vehicle, traffic and
Classifications of International Traffic Signs: persons, property and planned movements
involved.
1. Danger Warning Signs – Known as “Caution 2. Scene Investigation – involves all action taken
Signs”. Equilateral triangle with red borders. by the investigator at the scene of the crime or
2. Regulatory Signs – Usually round in shape accident.
except “Stop Sign” and “Yield Sign”. 3. Technical Preparation – involves delayed traffic
3. Informative Signs – Known as “guide signs” accident data collection and organization for
or “direction signs”. Rectangular shape white study and interpretation.
colored on blue background. 4. Professional Reconstruction – involves effort to
determine from whatever information is
available, how the accident happened.
TRAFFIC LIGHTS – This refer to any power operated 5. Cause Analysis – involves the final analysis on
traffic control device by which traffic is warned or the cause of accident.
directed to take some specific actions. Traffic light

-criminator_budz// [jonathan r. budaden]

 Saint Mary’s University_Criminology Review Center 6
Subject: Traffic Management & Accident Investigation

involving person using the traffic way or travel or

SKIDMARKS AS TOOL IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT transportation, but not involving a MV.
INVESTIGATION 2. MV Non-traffic Accident – any MV accident
Skidmarks are tire impression on road which occurs entirely in a place other than a
surface a result of sudden application of brakes. traffic way.
3. MV Traffic Accident – any MV accident
IMPLICATIONS OF SKIDMARKS occurring on a traffic way.
Measurements of skidmarks gives idea on how
fast the car which left these marks was going
before the accident CHAIN OF EVENTS IN A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT
Estimates of speed based on skidmarks may
lead to convictions; or knowing how to estimate 1. PERCEPTION HAZARD – it is seeing, feeling,
speed correctly may help keep an innocent or hearing and understanding the usual or
person from being convicted. unexpected movement or condition that could
A test on skid marks resulted to measure 20 ft be taken as sign of the accident about to
long skidmarks at 20 mile per hour. happen.
So if a skid mark measures 10 ft long, the 2. START OF EVASIVE ACTION – it is the first
vehicle must be running 10 miles per hour. action taken by a traffic unit to escape from a
Other Tire Marks collision course or otherwise avoid a hazard.
3. INITIAL CONTACT – the first accidental
1. Centrifugal skidmark – a marking on a road touching of an object collision course or
surface left by a rotating tire and wheel of a otherwise avoids a hazard.
speeding vehicle on a curve when the speed of 4. MAXIMUM ENGAGEMENT – it is the greatest
the vehicle is above the critical speed. collapse or overlap in a collision. The force
2. Impending skidmarks – marks caused by between the traffic unit and the object collided
forward rotation of the wheels being slower with are greatest at maximum engagement.
than the forward movement of the vehicle. 5. DISENGAGEMENT – it is the separation of
3. Yawn mark – a scuff mark made while a traffic unit in motion from an object with which it
vehicle is yawning the mark made on the road has collided.
by a rotating tire which is slipping in a direction 6. STOPPING – it is when the traffic unit/s
parallel to the axle of the wheel. involved come to rest. It usually stabilizes the
4. Skip mark - a braking skid mark interrupted at accident situation.
frequent regualr intervals; the skidmark made 7. INJURY TO PERONS AND DAMAGE TO
by a bouncing wheel on which brakes keep the PROPERTY
wheel from turning. 8. OTHER EVENTS:
5. Side skid Mark – is a roadway marking left by  Point of possible perception – perception
the tire and wheel of a vehicle sliding sideways of the hazard.
as a result of force other than centrifugal force.  Point of no escape – time when the
6. Gap Skid – a braking skid mark which is accident can no longer be prevented.
interrupted by release and reapplication of  Perception delay – point of possible
brakes or which terminates by release of perception to actual perception.
brakes before collision.  Final position – resting of objects/ perons
involved in the accident.
SKIDMARKS AS EVIDENCE IN ACCIDENT CASES
Skidmarks will: THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF TRAFFIC
Aid in determining the speed of the vehicle
prior to the collision 1. Keep Right
Show the direction of travel of the vehicle 2. Observe Road Courtesy
Indicates wether the driver failed to observe 3. MV should not be parked near intersections,
the right of way crosswalk, fire stations, fire hydrant, private
Show if the driver did not obey traffic signals driveways
4. If in doubt, do not overtake
Kinds of Traffic Accidents: 5. The bus stop rule
1. Non-motor Vehicle Traffic Accident – this refers 6. Rules to prevent or untangle traffic
to any accident occuring in a traffic way congestion or traffic jam
7. Observe traffic management measure

-criminator_budz// [jonathan r. budaden]

 Saint Mary’s University_Criminology Review Center 7
Subject: Traffic Management & Accident Investigation

8. The Philosophy of a Pinoy Driver (Rotonda 10. E.O. 202 – LTFRB Law
Rule or First come first served) 11. E.O. 248 – LTO to supervise Driving School
9. On Pedestrians – keep off roadway. Wait ,
embark and alight at bus or jeepney stop
10. Remember the International Safety Reminder
– SAFETY FIRST

Possible cases in Traffic Accident:

1. Reckless imprudence resulting in Homicide;

2. Reckless imprudence resulting in Serious
Physical Injury;
3. Reckless imprudence resulting in Less
Serious Physical Injury;
4. Reckless imprudence resulting in Slight
Physical Injury;
5. Reckless imprudence resulting in Damage to
Property;
6. Abandonment of One’s Own Victim –
Additional criminal case for hit and run cases.

Defenses in Imprudence Cases

1. Accident – A justifying circumstance where

the accused is NOT criminally liable, but only
civilly liable. The person invoking this should
have acted carefully & diligently, without
violating any traffic laws, rules and
regulations.
2. Doctrine of the last clear chance – A driver
who has the last clear chance to avoid the
accident but did not do his part to avoid it is
liable for the resulting injury and/ or damage
to property.
3. Contributory negligence – A defense of the
accused that due to some negligence of the
victim, the accident had occurred. The
liability of the accused is mitigated.

Important Traffic Laws, Rules and Regulations:

1. R.A. 4136 – The Land Transportation Code

2. R.A. 6539 – The Anti-Carnapping Law
3. R.A. 8749 – Clean Air Act
4. R.A. 8750 – Seat-Belt Law
5. R.A. 7924 – MMDA Law
6. P.D. 96 – Regulating use of sirens, bells,
horns, etc.
7. P.D. 612 – Compulsory insurance for all
types of motor vehicles
8. P.D. 1729 – LTO to dispose impounded
vehicles if unclaimed for a certain period of
time.
9. L.O.I. 229 – Early warning Device (EWD)

-criminator_budz// [jonathan r. budaden]