Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11441)
The primary purpose of SOP No. ODO2011-001 is to prescribe policies and procedures for the investigation of major road traffic accidents in the Philippines, focusing on high impact collisions resulting in multiple deaths/injuries, significant property damage, or gaining national attention.
The PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) is designated as the lead agency for investigating major road traffic accidents occurring along the highways.
Highways include expressways, national roads, provincial roads, major city roads, and road networks connecting cities and as main routes for land transport in the Philippines.
A Major Road Traffic Accident is any vehicular accident occurring on traffic ways that result in multiple deaths, serious injuries, significant property damage, or has gained national attention.
Police Regional Offices act as First Responders for major road traffic accidents along highways within their jurisdiction, conduct investigations for accidents on municipal and barangay roads, and assist the HPG by turning over major highway accident investigations to them.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is responsible for investigating all road traffic accidents in the NCR.
TARAS is a traffic investigation reporting format administered by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for maintaining nationwide data on traffic accidents.
First responders are to cordon the incident area, protect injured victims, take immediate photographs, record witness accounts, secure the scene, apprehend involved drivers, and notify the nearest HPG office.
The PNP CLG conducts on-scene physical and forensic examinations during road accidents upon request, prepares examination reports for investigative units, and performs related tasks as directed.
This SOP applies to the investigative functions of the HPG and Police Regional Offices regarding major road traffic accidents. The HPG investigates major highway accidents; NCRPO handles all accidents within NCR; PROs handle municipal and barangay road accidents and act as first responders for highway accidents.
Protocols include initial scene management and securing victims, notifying HPG, transferring all notes and records with receipts, continuous assistance by local police, and completion of the procedural investigation by HPG.
They coordinate with agencies involved in the basic aspects of traffic management: Education, Enforcement, and Engineering, including LTFRB, LTO, DPWH, and concerned local government units (LGUs).
The SOP takes effect fifteen days after filing a copy at the University of the Philippines Law Center as required by Sections 3 and 4, Chapter 2, Book VII of Executive Order No. 292, the Revised Administrative Code of 1987.
It mandates immediate reporting using the 5Ws and 1H template, maintenance of databases via TARAS forms, and submission of consolidated investigative reports for assessment and decision-making.
The Directorate for Operations (DO) of the PNP is the Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) tasked with broad dissemination and ensuring effective implementation of the SOP.