Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

What action must an officer take if an accident causes injury or exceeds a specific damage amount?

1. Notify the victim

2. Submit a report to IDOT

3. Issue a citation

4. File an internal report

The correct answer is: Submit a report to IDOT

When an accident causes injury or the damage exceeds a certain amount, the officer is required to submit a report to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). This requirement ensures that proper records are maintained by state authorities, allowing for accurate tracking of traffic incidents, analysis of roadway safety, and allocation of resources for traffic safety improvement measures. This procedure is part of enforcing traffic laws and regulations, ensuring that data regarding accidents is collected and managed in a systematic way. Reporting to IDOT is critical because it contributes to statewide statistics that inform infrastructure improvements, public safety campaigns, and other initiatives aimed at reducing accidents and enhancing roadway safety. Notifying the victim, issuing a citation, or filing an internal report, while relevant in certain contexts, does not fulfill the specific legal obligation tied to the situation described. The focus here is on the broader legal requirement to report significant incidents to state authorities, which ultimately benefits public safety.