The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a report regarding the best practices of electronic crash reporting by states.  The report compares E-Crash systems across the country.   Indiana was selected as one of the states highlighted in the report for best practices.  

Indiana utilizes Open Portal Solution’s (OPS) NE Crash application, referred to as the Automated Reporting Information Exchange System (ARIES) in Indiana.  With 99.7% of all traffic collision reports submitted electronically, Indiana leads all 50 states in the highest percentage of electronically transmitted collision reports.  Indiana moved from an electronic submission rate of 24% in 2006 to 99.7% in December of 2009.  In 2009, the State of Indiana submitted 190,000 collision reports through the ARIES application.  99.7%, all but 1,167, were submitted electronically. Indiana is the only state that has adopted bar coding for both license and registration.  Information on licenses and registrations auto populates with a bar scanner during data collection. The tools offered by ARIES allow law enforcement officials to complete reports more accurately and in a third less time than it takes to complete handwritten reports.  Indiana has the highest timeliness rating in the U.S., submitting 85% of collision reports within four days of the incident.  The partnership between OPS and Indiana saves the state more than one million dollars annually and involves a revenue sharing agreement for local municipalities. 

The crash records system in Indiana is mentioned numerous times throughout the report.  The primary reference to Indiana starts on page 14, with other references throughout.

NHTSA will have a booth at the International Forum on Traffic Records & Highway Safety Information Systems, which starts today in New Orleans.  (OPS is the Platinum Sponsor of this great event!)  The report will be distributed at the Forum to attendees and will be available on the DOT-TRCC Website. 

“We, as the Indiana TRCC, stakeholders,  as well as our law enforcement agencies should take pride in the fact that so much as been accomplished over the past four years,” wrote Nils King, in a memo to TRCC members.   King, is the Traffic Records Coordinator for the Traffic Safety Division of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. King is attending the International Forum on Traffic Records & Highway Safety Information Systems and will represent TRCC.

93,051 collisions were reported in Indiana during the first six months of 2010.  99.6% were submitted electronically through ARIES, the Automated Reporting Information Exchange System powered by OPS.

In addition, 87% of the electronic reports were submitted in a timely manner.   A crash report is considered timely if received within five days from the date of collision.

The integration of data is an important tool on focusing on problem areas, whether it is a teen driving issue, alcohol issue or a road issue.  Having accurate data assist stakeholders in traffic records the ability to access and analyze data from crash reports so a direct plan can be initiated to eliminate fatalities, injuries, and property damage in our roadways.  OPS is proud to be an important partner in keeping our roads safe for Indiana motorists.

Find reporting statistics for individual Indiana law enforcement agencies at http://www.crashreports.in.gov/Public/crp.xls

As detailed in the Indiana commercial drivers license manual, the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act (MCSIA) of 1999 requires a commercial drivers license (CDL) holder to be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle if the CDL holder has been convicted of certain types of moving violations in their personal vehicle.

Through the Indiana collision reporting system, Open Portal Solutions (OPS) can provide driver a record searches for those applying for a CDL.  OPS conducts a three year accident search, generates a report and sends it to the State to be certified with the State seal.  It is then signed by an authorized official and sent back to OPS to be provided to the driver.

The cost of the search is $25.  For more information or to order a search, call Melissa Howard in our customer service department at (317) 215-8300.

Nils King, Traffic Records Coordinator for the Traffic Safety Division of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute

Nils King, Traffic Records Coordinator for the Traffic Safety Division of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute , was the keynote speaker at a luncheon at the Bridge II Bi-Regional Conference held in Saratoga Springs in New York.   The conference was hosted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as a data exchange event for traffic safety leaders. 

King presented an informative overview of the unprecedented success the state of Indiana has had utilizing Open Portal Solution’s (OPS) NE Crash application, referred to as the Automated Reporting Information Exchange System (ARIES) in Indiana.  King called ARIES “the most effective, efficient and streamlined turn-key solution in the United States for timely, accurate, complete highest percentage statewide electronic collision reporting.”

With 99.7% of all traffic collision reports submitted electronically, Indiana leads all 50 states in the highest percentage of electronically transmitted collision reports.  Indiana moved from an electronic submission rate of 24% in 2006 to 99.7% in December of 2009.  In 2009, the State of Indiana submitted 190,000 collision reports through the ARIES application.  99.7%, all but 1,167, were submitted electronically. 

Indiana is the only state that has adopted bar coding for both license and registration.  Information on licenses and registrations auto populates with a bar scanner during data collection. The tools offered by ARIES allow law enforcement officials to complete reports more accurately and in a third less time than it takes to complete handwritten reports.

King noted that Indiana has the highest timeliness rating in the U.S., submitting 85% of collision reports within four days of the incident. A crash report is considered timely if received within five days from the date of collision. 

“Nils King caught the attention of all in attendance when explaining the partnership started between the state of Indiana and OPS,” said Byron Burge, Business Development Advisor for OPS.  “New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania immediately made inquiries about the application after the conference.”

OPS provides NE Crash at zero cost to states in exchange for a limited exclusive right to sell the collision data.  The company generates revenue by selling collision reports and collision data to legally authorized individuals through a secure ecommerce site, www.BuyCrash.com.  The partnership between OPS and Indiana saves the state more than one million dollars annually and involves a revenue sharing agreement for local municipalities.