NC Governor Signs Bill Allowing Civilian Traffic Accident Investigators

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has signed into law a bill that will allow cities to hire civilian traffic investigators to handle some traffic accidents, freeing up police officers for other duties.

House Bill 140, which took effect Friday after overwhelming support in the state legislature, requires the investigators to attend a training program designed by the North Carolina Justice Academy and to spend at least four weeks in field training with a police officer. Investigators will wear uniforms that are different from police, cannot carry weapons, and have no power to arrest people.

They can work only accidents involving property damage, not injuries, the bill notes.

“Investigators shall have the same authority as a law enforcement officer to tow or remove a vehicle that is obstructing a public street or highway,” the law reads.

Civilian accident reports may be used as evidence in court. But it’s uncertain if the practice will lead auto insurers or drivers’ attorneys to challenge traffic reports in litigation.

Two other Carolina cities, Fayetteville and Wilmington, already follow the practice, the Charlotte Observer reported. And the N.C. Association of Police Chiefs and the N.C. League of Municipalities have endorsed the law. Other supporters said it will help alleviate law officer staffing shortages.

Along with signing the bill and others, Cooper also vetoed a measure that he said would allow destruction of more wetlands in the state. He also nixed a bill that would ban state agencies from utilizing environmental, social and governance standards in investing state funds or awarding contracts. And he declined to sign a bill that bars local governments from preventing the expansion of natural gas fuels, according to news reports.

That law will take effect without the governor’s signature and the vetoes will like be overridden by the state’s Republican supermajority in the General Assembly.

Topics North Carolina