Almost as long as there have been automobiles, there have been traffic incidents. On July 3, 1886, Karl Benz unveiled the Benz Patent-Motorwagon, ushering in what would be later recognized as the dawn of the modern automobile and arguably one of the most significant and revolutionary technological changes in transportation.1 Five years later in 1891, James William Lambert had the dubious distinction of being involved in the first documented automobile collision in the United States when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a hitching post after hitting a tree root in Ohio.2
Traffic crashes, like the one experienced by Lambert, are what people typically think of when the phrase traffic incident is mentioned. In truth, traffic incidents include a broad range of scenarios. Besides vehicle crashes, traffic incidents may also include disabled vehicles; spilled cargo; special non-emergency events, such as sporting events, that have a significant impact on roadway operations; or any other situation that adversely affects traffic operations.
