Gone are the days of scratched-out reports and
confusing drawings.
Several local agencies received LACRASH software training
Wednesday, which will enable them to submit crash reports
electronically to both supervisors and the Louisiana Highway Safety
Commission.
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University of Louisiana at
Monroe Police Chief Larry Ellerman said the university received the
new equipment through a grant provided by the Highway Safety
Commission. "If you have a crash, we are going to get the
information," Ellerman said. "Normally, we write it on a form and
draw the accident. With this, it is all done inside the car on a
laptop."
The electronic crash reporting system is hi-tech and will make
crash reports available several days earlier than usual, officials
said.
For instance, if ULM police worked a four-vehicle crash on
Stadium Drive, officers would be able to take driver's licenses and
swipe them on the computer.
Instead of inputting names, addresses and other information, that
one swipe takes care of it.
Officers are also able to use the software to diagram the crash,
color-code the cars, even making them turn upside down or on top of
another car.
The software also allows for desktop computer entry.
"We have had the system for a year. We are just now going full
force with it," Ellerman said.
Officials with Louisiana State University and the Highway Safety
Commission taught the training session.
Ouachita Parish sheriff's deputies, Ruston police, Delhi police
and West Monroe police also attended the training.
The ULM Police Department has five patrol cars that all have the
software. A GPS in each car also automatically logs the crash
location into the LACRASH software.
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