Virginia Localities Consider First in the Nation Crash Reporting Center

Police in four Roanoke Valley localities have proposed adopting a Canadian method of reporting car crashes that reduces police involvement.

The Roanoke Times reports that if the governments of Roanoke, Salem, Roanoke County and Vinton approve the one-year test program, the region will operate the first collision reporting center in the United States. Motorists involved in accidents that do not result in injuries would file a report with the crash center rather than call police.

The president of a company that oversees such centers in Canada says the system works well there. Insurance companies pay the company to operate the centers.

Roanoke County Police Chief Howard Hall says the center would promote efficiency while still providing good service at no additional government expense.