Lethbridge Collision Reporting Centre Open and Ready to Assist Citizens

September 13, 2012 – The Lethbridge Regional Police Service, in partnership with Accident Support Services International, is pleased to announce the new Collision Reporting Centre is now open.

The CRC is the first of its kind in Alberta and will enable LRPS to enhance the level of service to Lethbridge citizens by providing a faster and safer response to property damage collisions. In addition, the Centre will also help free-up officer time that can be re-allocated to other investigations and crime prevention initiatives.

“Today marks a new chapter in collision reporting in Lethbridge,” said Insp. Bill Kaye. “We are very excited to provide our citizens with an enhanced level of service that will speed up the process to file a report and help ensure roadways are cleared quickly to reduce traffic congestion following a collision.”

The CRC is funded entirely by supporting insurers so there is no cost to the Police Service or local taxpayers.

It is estimated the addition of the CRC will enable the redeployment of approximately 4,600 hours of police officer time and 1,950 hours of support staff time each year.

“This is a significant benefit to our community,” added Insp. Kaye. “Instead of being tied up filling out collision paperwork, our officers will be able to respond faster to other calls for service and investigations and focus on crime prevention activities.”

Collisions that are eligible for reporting at the Centre are property damage collisions where there are no injuries and no criminal offences involved.

The Lethbridge Collision Reporting Centre is located in the lobby of the police station and is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Sundays and statutory holidays. Collisions that occur on Sundays or holidays can be reported at the front counter of the police station between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

In cases where a collision occurs and vehicles are moveable, citizens will be directed to drive to the Centre to complete the report. In cases where vehicles are not moveable, tow trucks will be immediately dispatched to the scene to clear the vehicles and transport the parties involved to the CRC.

The CRC is a one-stop service for motorists involved in a collision. At the Centre staff will help complete the collision report, photograph the damage, apply the damage sticker and ensure motorists have an opportunity to contact family or their insurance company.

Completed collision reports will be reviewed by police for accuracy and issuing of violation tickets if warranted. This enhanced service will also provide police and insurers with real-time access to collision data and reports.

The CRC will not change the way police respond to collisions where a criminal offence or injuries are involved. Police will continue to respond to those incidents.

Accident Support Services International currently operates 23 Collision Reporting Centres in Ontario. In addition a further 21 jurisdictions use ASSI’s software as their electronic collision and records management database. For more information about ASSI visit www.accsupport.com

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Kristen Harding, Executive Officer

Lethbridge Regional Police Service

403-330-5030 kristen.harding@lrps.ca

Steve Sanderson, President

Accident Support Services International

416-745-3301 ssanderson@accsupport.com