Saeima backs new rules on when drivers must report road accidents to police
Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, passed amendments to the Road Traffic Law in the second reading, setting out when drivers must report a crash to the State Police. The changes also widen the use of the agreed accident notification form.
The Saeima, Latvia's parliament, on Thursday approved in the second reading amendments to the Road Traffic Law. They define more precisely when a driver must report a crash to the State Police and expand the options for filling in the agreed notification form, which accident participants use to record what happened themselves.
Nine mandatory cases
In future, drivers will be obliged to notify police about nine types of accidents. These are cases where:
- a person has been injured;
- a vehicle involved has suffered significant damage;
- more than two vehicles are involved;
- a third party's property has been damaged (a vehicle in the crash whose owner is not its driver is not considered third-party property);
- another vehicle has been damaged and its driver is not at the scene;
- the road complex has been damaged;
- a wild animal has been hurt;
- there is suspicion that one of the drivers is intoxicated;
- the drivers cannot agree on the circumstances, facts or the diagram of the accident.
The changes are meant to protect the property interests of third parties and of owners of damaged vehicles who are not at the scene, to remove hazards on the road, and to stop drivers from evading responsibility for driving under the influence.
Remote assessment
The State Police will decide whether officers need to travel to the scene. Police will be able to assess the circumstances remotely and advise drivers. If more than two vehicles are involved and police give no other instructions, drivers will be allowed to complete the agreed notification forms and leave the scene.
The amendments also aim to use police resources more efficiently. Electronic transfer of accident data directly to the compulsory motor third-party liability insurance information system is also foreseen in Estonia and Lithuania.
Because the options for completing the form are being expanded, it was noted that current regulations contain no ban on drivers consuming alcohol, narcotic or other intoxicating substances before the notification is completed.
