First your speeding ticket, and now your accident report has gone paperless.

Last month Grand Traverse Sheriff deputies began using the iyeCrash system and the electronic accident reporting system is already showing benefits, according to Lt. Brian Giddis.

“It’s been very well received,” says Giddis. “This is going to result in more efficient use of our resources. Instead of having an officer spend 45 minutes filling out a paper form, he can be done with this in about 15 minutes and clear the accident scene.”

By using the software from the Kalamazoo-based iyeTek company, GT deputies can complete crash reports faster, so they can focus on the crash and road and resolve the accident more efficiently.

Traverse City Police are also using the system, as are the Michigan State Police and Detroit Police.

Giddis tells The Ticker there's no cost to the county for using the system. iyeTek receives a payment from anyone requesting a copy of each accident report, including drivers and insurance companies.

Here’s how it works: Using the patrol car’s mobile data terminal (MDT), the deputy inputs the vehicle plate numbers. The system gathers the necessary information from the Secretary of State’s records and plugs it into the report. Swipe the driver’s licenses of parties involved in the accident with a card reader and their information is automatically pulled into the report.

“One reason it’s so easy to learn this system is that the form is identical to the paper forms our deputies are used to using,” explains Giddis. “They can use a touch screen or type in the information. This all saves time, improves accuracy and eliminates legibility issues.”

In just a few clicks, the officer can diagram the crash scene using a wide variety of highway templates and other features. “If it’s an intersection with a five-lane road crossing a four-lane road, the officer just pulls up that template and they can put in the cars, moving them as needed,” says Giddis. “It’s a pretty extensive template of items you can add. If it’s a car-deer accident, there are deer, moose, dogs and all sorts of items.”

According to Giddis, each report is then reviewed by a patrol sergeant prior to filing.

Under the previous system, copies were stored at the Law Enforcement Center and the original was sent to state officials in Lansing; it would typically take days for someone to obtain a copy. Now electronic reports can simply be emailed.