MATAI Fall 2004 MATAI Fall 2004 Training Training

ConferenceConferenceSPL/LT Gary MeggeSPL/LT Gary Megge

Michigan State PoliceMichigan State Police

Crash Data Retrieval Crash Data Retrieval SystemSystem(CDR)(CDR)

Made by Vetronix Made by Vetronix CorporationCorporation

General MotorsGeneral MotorsSensing and Diagnostic Sensing and Diagnostic

ModuleModule(SDM)(SDM)

FordFordRestraint Control ModuleRestraint Control Module

(RCM)(RCM)

A Case StudyA Case Study

Scene PhotographsScene Photographs

Scene PhotographsScene Photographs

Scene PhotographsScene Photographs

Problems?Problems?

1, Speed of tractor trailer #1?1, Speed of tractor trailer #1? 2, Speed of tractor trailer #2?2, Speed of tractor trailer #2? 3, Speed of pick-up?3, Speed of pick-up? 4, Skids, Momentum, Crush, 4, Skids, Momentum, Crush,

Other????Other???? 5, Overall crash dynamics?5, Overall crash dynamics?

Options?Options?

1, Witness statements?1, Witness statements? 2, Drivers statements?2, Drivers statements? 3, Minimal skid marks?3, Minimal skid marks? 4, Information from tractor data 4, Information from tractor data

recorders?recorders? 5, Information from pick-up SDM?5, Information from pick-up SDM? 6, All of the above……6, All of the above……

ResultsResults

1, Witnesses and drivers stated that all 1, Witnesses and drivers stated that all the involved vehicles were slowing for a the involved vehicles were slowing for a construction zone when the crash construction zone when the crash occurred.occurred.

2, Driver of pick-up stated the he had 2, Driver of pick-up stated the he had slowed down, with the brakes applied, to slowed down, with the brakes applied, to approximately 20mph just prior to the approximately 20mph just prior to the crash. He then observed the tractor crash. He then observed the tractor trailer behind him and accelerated to trailer behind him and accelerated to avoid being struck.avoid being struck.

Results ContinuedResults Continued

3, There was no indication that excessive 3, There was no indication that excessive speed, by any of the drivers, was a factor speed, by any of the drivers, was a factor in the crash.in the crash.

4, Vehicle inspections indicated that the 4, Vehicle inspections indicated that the brake lights were working on all of the brake lights were working on all of the involved vehicles.involved vehicles.

5, The “at fault” driver in the crash was 5, The “at fault” driver in the crash was killed as a result of the crash.killed as a result of the crash.

6, No criminal prosecution, “case closed”.6, No criminal prosecution, “case closed”.

ConclusionsConclusions

1, The SDM/RCM data should not be 1, The SDM/RCM data should not be used in a criminal or civil court as used in a criminal or civil court as stand alone evidence.stand alone evidence.

2, The data obtained is an excellent 2, The data obtained is an excellent source of information, especially when source of information, especially when your traditional reconstruction is your traditional reconstruction is verified by the downloaded data.verified by the downloaded data.

3, All downloaded data, as well as the 3, All downloaded data, as well as the information in the data limitations information in the data limitations section, should be carefully analyzed.section, should be carefully analyzed.