In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-80 means "Traffic Accident" or "Motor Vehicle Accident Report". It is used by officers, dispatchers, and emergency units to report a motor vehicle collision, enabling timely response for scene management, medical assistance, and traffic control.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Officer: "Dispatch, 10-80 at Highway 22 and 7th Avenue, two-car collision, minor injuries."
- Dispatch: "10-4, unit 6 en route, EMS notified, and traffic control deployed."
In this exchange, the officer reports a traffic accident. Using 10-80 ensures dispatch coordinates emergency medical services, additional units, and traffic management to minimize risk and prevent secondary collisions.
Operational Purpose
10-80 is vital for public safety, traffic management, and incident documentation. Prompt reporting allows dispatch to assign resources efficiently, coordinate responding units, and ensure the scene is secured for investigation, cleanup, and safe traffic flow.
This code is commonly used for situations including:
- Minor or major vehicle collisions
- Hit-and-run incidents
- Accidents involving injuries or fatalities
- Hazardous roadway conditions contributing to accidents
Officer Safety And Coordination
Declaring 10-80 ensures all units and dispatch maintain awareness of the scene. Officers may report location using 10-20, acknowledge instructions with 10-4, request backup via 10-74, or indicate arrival with 10-23. Coordinated response reduces risk, maintains order, and ensures efficient medical and investigative operations.
Variations And Agency Practices
Some agencies differentiate between property-only accidents, injury accidents, and fatal collisions, adjusting resource deployment accordingly. Local protocols may define reporting procedures, scene safety requirements, and documentation standards for 10-80 incidents.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-80 with phrases such as:
- "Motor vehicle accident at location."
- "Traffic collision reported, units required."
- "Vehicle incident, respond with EMS and traffic control."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-80 include 10-4 (acknowledgment), 10-20 (location), 10-23 (arrived on scene/standby), 10-76 (en route/responding), and 10-75 (traffic/road hazard). Together, these codes support coordinated, safe, and effective traffic accident response.