Responding to criticism, the NYPD has begun responding to traffic crashes where the injuries are serious but not fatal.

Previously, crash investigators were summoned only when at least one victim had died or was “likely to die.”
The New York Times reports that Commissioner Raymond Kelly outlined the change in protocol to the City Council last week.

Dozens of investigations under the new policy have been conducted since September.

The department also will begin using the term “collision” instead of “accident.” Kelly said “accident” sometimes gave the false connotation that there was no fault or liability.

The commissioner said the department also will increase the size of the collision squad and revise its patrol guide to reflect which crashes should be investigated.

(AP)