Phila. police to stop responding to fender benders
Starting Monday, Philadelphia police will no longer respond to motor vehicle accidents in which vehicle damage is minimal and no one is injured.
Starting Monday, Philadelphia police will no longer respond to motor vehicle accidents in which vehicle damage is minimal and no one is injured.
Instead, drivers can report those accidents in person or by phone to the police district in which the accident occurred or any other district that's convenient.
Drivers should call 911 immediately if there is an injury and 911 operators will still assist drivers involved in an auto accident.
The Police Department said minor accidents are those in which:
There are no personal injuries, and there is no damage to physical property surrounding the accident, such as commercial, residential or government-owned property.
All vehicles can be driven safely from the scene.
All drivers remain at the scene and agree to exchange owner and vehicle information.
The department says drivers should do the following a minor accident:
Move their cars to the side of the road, safely out of any lanes of travel, and turn on hazard lights.
Call 911 emergency operators, where they will be asked a series of questions to determine if police need to be dispatched.
If it is determined that the accident does not require a police response, drivers will be given the contact information for filing a report.
Drivers should exchange the following information before leaving the scene:
Driver Information: Name, address, telephone number, driver's license number, auto insurance company name and policy number.
Vehicle Information: Year, make model, color, license plate number and vehicle identification number, which is located below the windshield on the driver's side.
Visit www.phillypolice.com for information about police districts.
