Nova Scotian drivers who find themselves in minor collisions no longer have to file reports with local police.

The Cape Breton Regional Police Service, in partnership with Accident Support Services International, has opened Nova Scotia’s first collision reporting centre. Located at 865 Grand Lake Road in Sydney, Nova Scotia, the CRC will handle the reporting of certain motor vehicle collisions.

Only collisions involving suspected criminal activity, injury, death, or estimated property damage of more than $2,000 must be reported to police.

The new CRC allows drivers involved in minor collisions — where no criminal activity, serious injury, or hazardous materials are involved — to self-report the incident at the police headquarters. The facility is operated by ASSI staff, who assist drivers with completing reports, photographing vehicle damage, verifying insurance stickers and communicating with insurance providers. The service uses ASSI’s collision reporting and occurrence management system  to digitally manage and analyze collision data.

According to Cape Breton Regional Police Chief Robert Walsh, the service handles approximately 2,500 collisions annually, with an estimated 80 percent classified as minor. 

The CRC is expected to improve efficiency for police and support quicker claims processing for the public.