Electronic Traffic Crash Report Query System
Washington State Patrol (WSP)
Annually an estimated 50,000 requests for copies of collision reports are submitted to the Washington State Patrol Collision
Records Section. Six out of 11.5 personnel currently complete requests for reports. They respond to written requests and
walk-in customers. They open, assemble, and stamp incoming mail. Requests are assigned a control number then logged into
a computerized cash receipts system. Standard accounting practices are required for handling cash. Another staff member
reviews all requests to ensure they are complete and accurate. Once payment is received, located reports are printed and
mailed. Payments are sent by Washington State Treasurer’s courier to the Budget and Fiscal Division.
Inaccurate search criteria are often provided by the public. This lengthens the process of locating a collision report. With
the assistance of the Department of Licensing, a report on the drive record can be located if a driver’s license number is
provided in the request. Once located, all reports released to entitled parties for requests are mailed or faxed. Reports
released to non-entitled parties are sent through an additional redaction process. If the request lacks enough information
to locate a report, the request and the $5 fee are returned to the requester with an explanation of the requirements.
Collision records personnel respond to attorneys advising their request may take up to 60 days to process. Currently,
they average a 21-day turn around on these requests if they remain fully staffed. Personnel are able to devote one hour
each day to these requests additional to their regular duties and all other requests for reports.
The addition of a web-based application to request collision reports, pay online, and research collision data will allow
immediate responses for the public, decrease workload, and decrease wait time for responses.
The web-based program would allow redacted report access to the public with mechanisms in place to verify identity of
requestors and ensure compliance with all state and federal laws. Additionally, it will allow law firms to review types
of data, request particular reports, and pay online instead of the current manual process that takes current personnel away
from their regular duties.
This type of program will ease the process for the public to obtain reports and minimize the current manual process.
Additional information regarding this project is available upon request.
Project Lead: Washington State Patrol (WSP)
Office: Information Technology Division
Phone Number: (360) 705-5378
Implementation Schedule: 10/2008 – 2/2009