211 Huntmar Collision Reporting Centre now open

(Ottawa) – The first of three Ottawa Police Service Collision Reporting Centers (CRC) is now fully operational – providing a faster, safer and more efficient process for vehicle collision reporting.

“After a very successful testing period, the 211 Huntmar Drive CRC was fully opened to process west end collision reports without injuries and where the vehicle remains driveable or towable,” said Insp. Sandra McLaren, who is leading the CRC implementation project.

All motorists involved in collisions in Ottawa must contact the OPS Communications Centre at 613-230-6211. From there, it will be determined if the collision can be reported through the CRC or if an officer needs to attend. Then, if a motorist is being referred to the CRC, they will be given a police report number to bring with them.

“This means the rest of the public can get on with their day, rather than deal with unnecessary traffic congestion that results when involved vehicles remain on the roadway while the officer processes the collision report at the scene,” said Insp. McLaren.

As a secondary benefit, drivers involved in collisions can report at the CRC as soon as possible. In cases where there is more than one vehicle involved, drivers do not have to attend at the same time.

However, the window of opportunity for drivers to report collisions at the CRC is limited.

“The Highway Traffic Act states that drivers involved in collisions are required to report to police forthwith, which means as soon as possible,” said Insp. McLaren. “If a driver has not reported within 24 hours, police will begin a fail to report collision investigation.”

The Centre is open seven days a week. Check the website for daily hours of operation at Huntmar station.

For now, only collisions in the west end that meet the criteria will be diverted to the Huntmar CRC. The other two locations at 474 Elgin Street and 3343 St. Joseph Boulevard will be up and running by the end of the year.

It is expected that 70% of all collisions, or 13,000, will be redirected to a CRC by the end of 2014. This will free up about 8,600 hours of patrol time, which will be redirected to responding to more serious crime and reducing and preventing criminal activity.

You can consult the website for further information About CRCs.