CHP Accident Investigation 3

Question 1

When investigating a collision involving a suspected DUI driver, when should field sobriety tests (FSTs) be administered?

Accepted Answer

After the scene is secure and immediate medical needs are addressed

Answer

FSTs should be conducted after scene safety is established and medical emergencies are handled, as injured subjects may appear impaired due to injury rather than intoxication.

Question 2

What does steering wheel deformation and airbag deployment indicate to an accident investigator?

Accepted Answer

The direction and approximate severity of impact forces experienced by the driver

Answer

Airbag deployment thresholds and steering wheel deformation patterns indicate the direction and approximate force of impact sustained by the driver's compartment.

Question 3

In accident reconstruction, what does 'Delta-V' refer to?

Accepted Answer

The change in velocity a vehicle experiences during a collision

Answer

Delta-V (ΔV) is the change in velocity experienced by a vehicle during impact and is a key measure of collision severity used in reconstruction analysis.

Question 4

What physical evidence suggests a tire blowout may have caused a crash, as opposed to driver error?

Accepted Answer

Scattered tire tread fragments and an asymmetric yaw mark originating before the crash

Answer

Tire tread separation and a vehicle beginning to yaw before any apparent driver input suggests a sudden blowout caused sudden loss of vehicle control.

Question 5

In pedestrian collision investigation, what is the significance of measuring the pedestrian's 'throw distance'?

Accepted Answer

To estimate the vehicle's speed at the moment of impact using projectile motion formulas

Answer

Pedestrian throw distance can be used with physics formulas to calculate the vehicle's speed at impact when other physical evidence is limited.

(CHP) California Highway Patrol Practice Test

(CHP) California Highway Patrol Practice Test

CHP Accident Investigation 3