The police department is expanding a pilot program all in effort to save resources.
Starting today, things are going to be different if drivers get into a car accident.
Police no longer will be required to show up, if no one is injured.
The department says the goal is to have officers available to respond to other 911 calls faster, especially during this critical time.
The initiative first started last year in March on Staten Island, and after a successful evaluation they found a 9% decrease of 911 calls, meaning other people received help faster.
Police say vehicle collisions resulting only in property damage will not be required to be reported to police.
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Drivers are still responsible for exchanging driver’s license information, insurance, and vehicle registration.
For insurance purposes, a Report of Motor Vehicle Accident should be filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Drivers are required to remain on the scene and contact police immediately after a vehicle collision when any person is injured or killed, a domestic animal is injured or killed, or a parked vehicle is damaged.
In a press release, police Commissioner Dermot Shea expressed this expansion will also limit contact officers have with people in order to keep them safe during this pandemic, but of course if a driver feels unsafe or confronted with a problem during a collision call 911.
Last month the department reported to more than 4,000 non-injury car collisions in a span of two weeks. They’re hoping that number decreases as the program goes in full effect.