Regulations on the investigation and settlement process of road traffic accidents by the Traffic Police

The Ministry of Public Security has just issued Circular No. 72/2024/TT-BCA, dated November 13, 2024, regulating the process of investigating and handling road traffic accidents by the Traffic Police force. Accordingly, the subjects of application include the Public Security of units, localities and officers and soldiers of the People's Public Security. Agencies, organizations and individuals related to the investigation, verification and handling of road traffic accidents.

This Circular also stipulates the standards for traffic police officers tasked with investigating, verifying, and resolving road traffic accidents and assigns officers to investigate, verify, and resolve road traffic accidents, specifically the standards for traffic police officers tasked with investigating, verifying, and resolving road traffic accidents. Have a university degree in Security, a university degree in Police, or a bachelor's degree in law or higher. In case of graduating from a university outside the Police sector, they have been trained and fostered in Security and Police skills according to regulations. Have worked in the Traffic Police force for 06 months or more. Have been recognized for completing training and fostering in investigation and settlement of road traffic accidents.... The direct command leader of the Traffic Police Department shall handle as follows when receiving a report of a road traffic accident: If a report of a road traffic accident occurs on a route assigned to patrol, control, and handle violations, traffic police officers must immediately be sent to the scene to verify whether a road traffic accident has occurred or not; in the event of a road traffic accident, depending on the nature and severity of the road traffic accident, direct and arrange forces to participate, coordinate rescue, and limit damage caused by the road traffic accident; protect the scene, examine the scene, regulate traffic, prevent and resolve congestion, and at the same time warn other vehicles of the dangers when traveling through the scene area. Notify the district-level police where the road traffic accident occurred or request coordination in investigating, verifying, and resolving the road traffic accident according to regulations. When the leader on duty at the Traffic Police Department of the provincial-level Public Security receives a report of a road traffic accident, he/she shall handle it as follows: If the report of a road traffic accident occurs on a route assigned to patrol, control, and handle violations, he/she shall comply with the provisions of Point a, Clause 1 of this Article. If the report of a road traffic accident does not occur on a route assigned to patrol, control, and handle violations, he/she shall notify the on-duty police of the district where the road traffic accident occurred to handle the report; at the same time, notify the on-duty police of the Traffic Police Department if the road traffic accident occurs on a route assigned to patrol, control, and handle violations of the Traffic Police Department to perform the tasks as prescribed in this Circular. When the direct command leader of the district-level police receives a report of a road traffic accident, he/she shall handle it as follows: If a report of a road traffic accident occurs on a route or area assigned to patrol, control, and handle violations, he/she must immediately send a traffic police officer to the scene to check and verify the report of the road traffic accident. If a road traffic accident occurs, he/she shall carry out the task of investigation, verification, and settlement according to regulations. [caption id="attachment_1259197" align="aligncenter" width="1440"] Photo Collection[/caption] This Circular also regulates the handling of reports and initial settlement of road traffic accidents such as the organization of receiving reports of road traffic accidents, handling reports of road traffic accidents. Initial settlement when traffic police officers on patrol and control duty discover a road traffic accident or are assigned to the scene of a road traffic accident. Contents of investigation, verification of details of road traffic accidents, examination of the scene of road traffic accidents, examination of vehicles related to road traffic accidents. Temporarily detaining and handling vehicles, objects, documents, licenses, and practice certificates of vehicle operators related to road traffic accidents for investigation, verification, and settlement. Recording statements of vehicle operators participating in road traffic, victims, witnesses, and other related persons in road traffic accidents. Record traces on the body of the victim in a road traffic accident. Check and verify the condition of the vehicle and the driver when participating in road traffic; check passengers, transported goods and related documents; Professional appraisal, valuation of property damage, Reconstruct the scene of the road traffic accident, review the results of the investigation, verify the road traffic accident. [caption id="attachment_1259198" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Photo Collection[/caption] Time limit for investigation, verification, and settlement of road traffic accidents, Settling road traffic accidents according to administrative procedures, statistics on road traffic accidents. Checking the investigation, verification, and settlement of road traffic accidents. Forms used in the investigation, verification, and settlement of road traffic accidents by the Traffic Police. In case of settlement of road traffic accidents that detect signs of crime according to the functions of the Agency assigned to conduct a number of investigation activities. In case of road traffic accidents involving people and foreign road vehicles. In case of road traffic accidents involving people, vehicles, and assets of the People's Army. In case of road traffic accidents leading to vehicle fires and explosions. In case of road traffic accidents directly related to vehicles carrying toxic chemicals, in case of road traffic accidents leading to acts of disturbing public order.

Huong Giang