DA Form 3946: Military Police Traffic Accident Report – DA Form 3946, titled Military Police Traffic Accident Report, is the official U.S. Army form used by Military Police (MP) to document traffic accidents involving military personnel, government vehicles, or incidents on military installations.
It serves as a standardized tool to record critical details about the accident, including:
- Location and time
- Vehicles and drivers involved
- Injuries and fatalities
- Road and weather conditions
- Collision description and sketch
- Contributing factors
The form is prepared for accidents reported to or investigated by Military Police, as outlined in AR 190-45 (Law Enforcement Reporting).
Download the official DA Form 3946 PDF here: https://armypubs.army.mil/pub/eforms/DR_a/pdf/A3946.pdf
Purpose and Legal Authority
The primary purposes of DA Form 3946 include:
- Providing commanders and law enforcement with accurate, detailed records of traffic incidents
- Supporting investigations, safety analyses, and legal proceedings
- Helping prevent future accidents through data on causes and conditions
Authority: Title 10 USC Section 301; Title 5 USC Section 2951; E.O. 9397 (SSN). It falls under the Privacy Act, with the Social Security Number used for identification and filing.
The proponent agency is the Provost Marshal General (PMG). Information release is governed by AR 25-55 and AR 190-45—coordination with the local Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) is recommended before releasing copies to involved parties.
When Is DA Form 3946 Required?
Military Police use this form for traffic accidents when:
- A government-owned vehicle or property is involved
- There is personal injury or death
- There is disabling damage or airbag deployment
- It is a hit-and-run incident
- The accident occurs on a military reservation or involves military personnel/vehicles (even off-installation in some cases)
It is typically attached to the Law Enforcement Report (LER) via DA Form 3975. For property damage only with no injuries, it may still be used depending on local policy and severity.
Key Sections of DA Form 3946
The form is comprehensive and includes multiple parts:
Header Information (Blocks 1-5): PM activity code/report number, date and time of accident, day of week, location details (military reservation status, streets, landmarks).
Severity and Vehicles: Number killed/injured, total vehicles involved, type of accident (vehicle-vehicle, vehicle-pedestrian, single vehicle, etc.).
Conditions: Weather, light, road surface, defects, traffic controls.
Vehicle and Driver Details: For up to two primary vehicles (additional forms for more), including registration, make/model/year, driver info, insurance, owner details, and occupant information (category, injury class, seat belt use, position).
Pedestrians and Witnesses.
Collision Documentation: Sketch of collision (with north arrow, positions, skid marks, etc.) and narrative description of what happened before, during, and after.
Vehicle Damage and Towing: Severity of damage, specific damage locations, towing info.
Military Police Actions: Apprehensions, citations, tests (chemical for alcohol/drugs), notifications, and related forms like DD Form 518 or SF 91.
Approval and Distribution.
How to Complete DA Form 3946?
Detailed block-by-block guidance is in older FM 19-26 (Military Police Traffic Operations), with special instructions printed on the form itself.
Key Tips:
- Draw the sketch exactly as observed; include roadway features, vehicles, traffic controls, and probable paths.
- Use the narrative to explain events not captured in the sketch or other blocks (e.g., driver conditions, visibility issues).
- Classify injuries and damage severity per AR 190-5 Appendix B definitions.
- For multi-vehicle accidents, use additional copies of the form.
- Ensure accuracy—reports may support UCMJ actions, insurance claims, or safety reviews.
The current version is dated DEC 1998 (DA FORM 3946, DEC 1998); earlier versions like SEP 73 are obsolete.
Distribution and Records
- Original: Forwarded to the appropriate commander via DA Form 3975.
- Copies maintained by the originating MP office.
- Additional copies for release to authorized parties per regulations.
- Records feed into systems like ALERTS for law enforcement queries.
Importance for Army Safety and Compliance
Accurate completion of DA Form 3946 supports the Army Safety Program (AR 385-10) by providing data for accident prevention, trend analysis, and risk management. It also aids in legal and administrative actions involving military operators.
Soldiers, commanders, and safety officers should familiarize themselves with this form to ensure proper reporting and response to incidents.
Download Official DA Form 3946
Get the fillable PDF: https://armypubs.army.mil/pub/eforms/DR_a/pdf/A3946.pdf
For the most current guidance, consult your local Provost Marshal Office, AR 190-45, or unit safety officer. Always verify with official Army publications for any updates.
This guide is for informational purposes and based on publicly available Army resources. Official procedures may vary by installation.