Saint Mary’s University_Criminology Review Center 1
Subject: Traffic Management & Accident Investigation
Review Notes in
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT & ACCIDENT
INVESTIGATION
TRANSPORTATION – is the movement or conveying
of persons and goods from one location to another.
NOMAD (Greek) – to pasture. Refers to pastoralists,
groups that migrate in an established pattern to find
pasture lands for their domestic livestock.
Two types of nomads:
1. Who wonder in search for food.
2. Who observe annual cycle of pastures whose
availability determined by the alteration of hot
and cold or wet and dry season.
Early Types of Transportation:
A. MANPOWER – Early man who had no
domesticated animals carry their own burdens.
1. Carrying Pole - goods are carried by means
of pole
2. Backload and Tumpline - goods are
carried on the back
3. Sledge on Rollers – moving heavy burdens
on sledge which rested on a series of rollers
4. Sledge on Runners – loads are carried on a
sledge
5. Travois - device used by Native North
Americans of the Great Plains for
transporting their tepees and household
goods. It consisted of two poles, lashed one
on either side of a dog or, later, a horse, with
one end of each pole dragging on the
ground.
B. ANIMAL POWER – domesticated animals were
used to carry loads
1. Ox – cattle which was first used to carry
loads in Mesopotamia
2. Reindeer - first domesticated in Siberia in
the beginning of Christian era. Deer draws
sledge
3. Dog - the first domesticated animal used to
carry loads
4. Donkey – first domesticated in the Middle
East. Donkey caravan carry goods within
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]
6. Elephant – the Carthaginians used African
elephants in their war against Rome.
Elephants were used to carry heavy loads.
7. Horse – In Europe, horses were used to
draw wheeled vehicles and for riding for
sometime until the introduction of
mechanized vehicles.
8. Camel - camel were used to carry loads.
Two kinds of camel: two-humped bactrian
camel of Central Asia and the one-humped
dromnedary camel of Arabia.
9. Yak – a long-haired type of cattle that lives at
high altitude on the Tibetan platue used to
carry heavy loads where horses could not
survive.
C. WIND POWER – man realized the energy from
the mass of moving air and learned to utilize such
power to lift rather than to drag. Origin of air
lifted transportation.
1. Ancient Chinese Kite – Based on Korean
tradition, kites were first used for transport
when a Korean General used in bridge
building.
2. Da Vinci’s Ornithopter - Leonardo Da
Vinci made study of the flight of birds. He
dicovered ornithopter which derives its
principal support and propelling from flapping
wings like those of birds.
3. Montgolfier Balloon - France Joseph
Michel and Jacques Entienne Montgolfier
proposed to use balloon to transport
condemned prisoners. It is constructed with
linen and inflated with hot air.
4. Siemen’s Rocket Plane – Ernst Werner Von
Siemens, a electric industrialist, in 1874
designed rocket plane propelled by explosive
force of gun powder.
5. Lilienthal Glider – Otto Lilienthal, German
inventor , like da Vinci, he studied the flight of
birds. His chiefwork was with glider.
6. Santos Dumont’s Airship – Alberto Santos
Dumont, a Brazilian inventor who designed a
lighter than air-craft balloon called airship.
7. Wright Brothers’ Flying Machine - Orville
and Wilbur Wright designed the biplane kite.
8. Lindergh’s Spirit of St. Louis – Capt.
Charles Lindergh made the solo flight in an
airplane from Paris to London in May 1927.
the plane was called “Spirit of St, Louis”.
 Saint Mary’s University_Criminology Review Center 2
ROADS AND VEHICLE HISTORY
Some Inventions that led to modern land
transportation:
A. Wheel – it was invented in Western Asia. It was
used in crude carts and wagons. It enabled to
transport burdens beyond the power of man or
animals to carry or drag.
1. Solid wheels on fixed axle – it is made up to
single piece of wood rotated on single axle.
2. Sumerian chariot with flank wheels - this
chariot, of 2400 BC, had solid wheels built up
of three pieces.
3. Spoked wheel – wheel with spokes, in Greek
quadrica
4. Roman Carpentum – a closed two-wheeled
cart
5. Italian cocchio – a travelling wagon in which
the passangers were protected by a covering
of leather or cloth fixed over a wooden
framework.
B. Wheeled Vehicles - requires wider roads for the
movement.
th
C. The Invention of Bicycles – Hobby Horse (19
Century) was one of the modern ancestors of
modern bicycles. The wheels were made of
wood, with tire of iron and riders push themselves
along with their feet on the ground.
D. Pneumatic Tires – inlated by air (by John Boyd
th
Dunlop 19 Cenutury)
E. Motor Vehicle – the first transportation
1. Etienne Lenoir (1860) – motorized carriage,
Internal combustion engine.
2. Nicolaus Otto and Gotlieb Daimer –
pioneered gas engine
3. Rudolf Diesel – developed internal
combustion engine similar with gasoline
engine but does not require electrical ignition
which uses diesel fuel;
4. Henry Ford (1908) – introduced the Model T
5. Felix Wankel – developed an advance type of
engine that operates very differently from gas
and diesel engines. It is started by a moving
cranckshaft;
6. Presently, the introduction of the light rail
transit, the metro rails, fly over and other
modern traffic ways contributed to the
expeditious movement of traffic users.
-criminator_budz// [jonathan r. budaden]
Subject: Traffic Management & Accident Investigation
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Management – it refers to the skillful use of
means to accomplish an objective.
Traffic – (French trafique/Italian traffico) which
means to carry on trade, of uncertain origin. It
refers to the movement of persons, goods or
vehicles, either powered by combustion system
or animal drawn, from one place to another for
the purpose of travel.
Traffic Way – refers to the entire width between
boundary lines of every way or place of which
any part is open to the use of public purposes of
vehicular traffic as a matter of right or custom.
Roadway – Part of a traffic way where motor
vehicles pass.
Shoulder – Part of a traffic way along the
roadway.
Island – Those structures on the road separate
that serve as guide to road users.
Pedestrian Island – An elevated island usually
along the road intended for pedestrian use.
Cross walk/ pedestrian lane – Traffic lanes
intended for pedestrian crossing the road.
Major Causes of Traffic Congestions:
1. Physical Inadequacy
2. Poor Control Measures
3. Human Errors
4. Poor Maintenance
THE PILLARS OF TRAFFIC
1. TRAFFIC ENGINEERING - The science of
measuring traffic and travel the study of the basic
laws relative to the traffic law and generation. It
refers to the professional practice of planning,
deciding, and operating traffic system to achieve
safe and efficient transportation of persons and
goods.
Functions:
 fact-finding, survey
 supervision and maintenance
 planning of traffic regulation
2. TRAFFIC EDUCATION - It is the process of
giving training and practice in the actual
application of traffic safety knowledge.
3. TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT - This pillar deals
with the enforcement or implementation of traffic
laws, rules and regulations.
Agencies Responsible:
- LTO ( licensing, registration and inspection)
- Legislative bodies
- Police Traffic Enforcement
 Saint Mary’s University_Criminology Review Center 3
4. TRAFFIC ECOLOGY OR TRAFFIC
ENVIRONMENT – This is a recent pillar of traffic
management deals with the environmental safety
against:
a. Noise
b. Vibration
c. Air pollution
d. Dirt
e. Visual Intrusion
f. loss of privacy
g. changes in tha amount of light
h. others
5. TRAFFIC ECONOMY – This is the most
recent pillar of traffic management which deals
with the benefits and adverse effect or traffic to
our country. Traffic operation is designed to
expedite the movement of traffic. Traffic
congestion adversely affects the economic status
of the commuting public.
Basic Information on Drivers License
Driver’s License (DL) – an authority granted to a
qualified individual to operate a motor vehicle.
General Types of DL
1. Professional – issued to an individual whose
means of living is driving. Applicant must at
least be 18 years of age.
2. Non-professional – issued to an individual to
drive MV without compensation. Applicant must
be at least 17 years of age.
At least 4 months old for conversion to
professional driver’s license
3. Student Driving Permit – issued to an
individual who desires to learn to operate MV.
Applicant must at least be 16 years of age.
At least 5 months old for conversion to
professional driver’s license
At least 1 month old for conversion to non-
professional driver’s license
4. International Driver’s License – Foreigners
who are professional drivers may be issued
NON-PROFESSIONAL Driver’s License in the
Philippines.
Validity of Driver’s License
1. SDP – valid for I year from date of issuance
2. Professional /Non-professional DL - valid for 3
rd
years. It will expire on the 3 birthdate of the
licensee comencing from the date of issuance.
-criminator_budz// [jonathan r. budaden]
Subject: Traffic Management & Accident Investigation
Issuance of DL before birthdate
Date of issue …… 10 November 1990
Driver’s Birthday … 6 December 1948
st
1 Bday ……. 6 December 1990
nd
2 Bday …….6 December 1991
rd
3 Bday ……. 6 December 1992 ( Expiry date)
Issuance of DL after birthdate
Date of issue ………… 10 November 1990
Driver’s Birthday ……. 19 August 1944
st
1 Bday ……….. 19 August 1991
nd
2 Bday ………. 19 August 1992
rd
3 Bday ………. 19 August 1993 (Expiry date)
Restriction Codes:
1 – Motorcycle/motorized tricycles
2 – Vehicle up to 4500kg GVW
3 – Vehicle above 4500kg GVW
4 – Automatic clutch up to 4500kg GVW
5 – Automatic clutch above 4500kg GVW
6 – Articulated vehicle up to 1600kg GVW
7 – Articulated vehicle from 1601 kg to 4500kg GVW
8 – Articulated vehicle from 4501kg and above GVW
9 – Disabled
Conditions:
A – wear eye glasses
B – drive only with special equipment for upper limbs
C – Drive only with special equipment for lower limbs
D – Daylight driving only
E – Accompanied by person with normal hearing
Requirements:
a. Must be at least 18 for prof; 17 for non-prof and
16 for SDP
b. Physically and mentally fit
c. Can read and write Filipino/English
d. Valid license ( SDP- 1 mo. For NPDL; SDP-
5mo/NP-4mo for PDL)
e. Medical Certificate
f. Written and actual examination
g. License fee
h. (Drug Test)
Administrative Order No. 84AO-003 – provides the
System of Operation in the monthly staggered
registration of motor vehicle.
The last digit of the license plate determines the
monthly schedule of registration of the MV and the
middle digit determines the working days within the
week when the MV Registration shall be renewed.
 Saint Mary’s University_Criminology Review Center 4
Subject: Traffic Management & Accident Investigation

2 ………………… Vice President

Last Digit: 3 ………………… Senate President
1 – January 4 ………………… Speaker of the House
2 – February 5 ………………… Chief Justice
3 – March 6 ………………… Cabinet Secretaries
4 – April 7………………… Senators
5 – May 8…………………. Congressmen
6 – June 9………………… Associate Justices, SC
7 – July 10……………….. Presiding Justices, CA, SB
8 – August 11……………….. COMELEC/ COA/ CSC
9 – September Commissioners
0 – October 12……………….. Cabinet Undersecretaries
13……………….. N.A.
Middle Digit: 14……………….. Chief of Staff/ PNP DDG
1-2-3 - first week of registration month (any 15……………… N.A.
st th
working day from 1 to 7 day of registration 16…………….. … RTC Judges
month) 17………………… MTC Judges
4-5-6 – second week of registration month (any
th th
working day from 8 to 14 day of the registration
month) SPEED LIMIT:
7-8 – third week of registration month (any Cars/MC MT/Buses
th st
working day from 15 to 21 day of the
registration month) 1. Open country roads
9-0 – fourth week of the registration month (any with no blind corners 80km/hr
working day from 22
nd st
to 31 day of the 50km/hr
registration month)
2. Thorough street/blvd
Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) – When a with no blind curves 40km/hr
driver’s license is confiscated for traffic violation/s, he 30km/hr
shall be issued TOP which serves as his tentative
license good for 72 hours. 3. City/mpl streets with
light traffic 30km/hr
Batas Pambansa 43, s-1979 – provides policies on 30km/hr
the classification of MV.
4. Through crowded sts,
General MV Classification: appr. Intersection at 20km/hr
blind curves, passing 20km/hr
1. Private MV – vehicles which are registered for school zones or for
private use. Green plate. similar dangerous
2. FOR HIRE MV – vehicles authorized to operate circumstances
as public utilities by virtue of certificates of
public conveyance. Yellow plate.
3. GOVERNMENT MV – vehicles owned by the RIGHT OF WAY – This principle refers to the legal or
government of the Philippines, including customary precedence (priority in time and place)
government owned and controlled which allows one vehicle to cross or pass in front of
corporations. Red plate another.
4. DIPLOMAT MV – vehicles owned by foreign
government. Blue plate. Rules of Right of way (Sec. 42-44 of RA 4136)
5. COMMEMORATIVE PLATES – plates issued 1. In case of two vehicles approaching or entering
to groups, organizations or associations an intersection at the same time, the driver of
subject to the approval of the Office of the the vehicle on the left shall yield right of way;
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.

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

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

-criminator_budz// [jonathan r. budaden]

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