Title: Tehran Traffic Police Clarifies Legal Threshold for Mandatory Accident Scene Diagrams
In a move to streamline accident response and enhance public awareness, Colonel Rabeeh Javanbakht, Head of the Accident Department of Tehran’s Metropolitan Traffic Police, has detailed the specific circumstances under which an official police accident sketch, or kroki, is legally required.
Defining the Threshold
Colonel Javanbakht explained that traffic accidents are categorized into three types: property damage, injury, and fatal. For incidents involving only property damage, a precise financial threshold determines the necessity of a police sketch.
“The minimum amount of 10% of the annual blood money (Diyah) is the threshold for property damage accidents that do not require a sketch,” stated Colonel Javanbakht. “Currently, this amount is set at 53 million Tomans.”
This means that if the damage is solely to vehicles and the estimated cost is below this 53-million-Toman mark, the involved parties can reach a mutual agreement, proceed directly to their insurance companies without a police sketch, and receive compensation.
When a Police Sketch is Mandatory
The official emphasized that if the damage estimate exceeds 53 million Tomans, the creation of an electronic police sketch at the scene becomes mandatory. “Police sketches are now prepared electronically by officers using tablets at the accident site, with the electronic signatures of all parties being recorded,” he added.
This digital process ensures efficiency and transparency. The electronic sketches are simultaneously sent to the Central Insurance, police stations, prosecutor’s offices, and dispute resolution councils, significantly speeding up proceedings and reducing paperwork.
Streamlined Access and Legal Standing
Vehicle owners with updated information in the police system can easily access their accident sketches through the “My Police” (Police-e Man) digital platform. Colonel Javanbakht highlighted that the police sketch is the most crucial document for authenticating the accident scene and is fully admissible in judicial courts.
Addressing Disputes and Complex Cases
The system also provides a clear path for dispute resolution. If there is an objection to the initial police expert opinion, individuals can request a re-evaluation through the Dispute Resolution Council or relevant peace and prosecutor’s courts, depending on the accident type. For severe or complex accidents involving multiple collisions, injuries, or fatalities, more detailed and specialized investigations are conducted, with the final sketch prepared after all documentation is gathered.
A Push for a Fully Digital System
Colonel Javanbakht underscored the advantages of the electronic system, noting its superior accuracy and speed compared to traditional methods. The ability to attach photos and videos from the scene provides experts with more precise evidence, while the integration of surveillance camera footage has significantly reduced human error.
He called for full public and institutional support for this electronic transition, stating that moving away from a paper-based system reduces errors, forgery, costs, and provides citizens with faster, easier access to their information. He also urged citizens involved in minor, non-disputed property damage accidents to proceed directly to their insurers, allowing police experts to focus their efforts on more complex and serious incidents.
