# Eternal Investigation
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eternal-investigation/3340
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [September 19, 1999, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eternal-investigation/3340 "1999-09-19T04:26:00Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)
#### Post date: [September 19, 1999, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eternal-investigation/3340/1 "1999-09-19T04:26:00Z")
As long as we were discussing the Illinois roadways…
Heading up I-55 northbound from the western suburbs to LSD, I passed a blue sign informing me that I was approaching an “Accident Investigation Site”. Eventually, I reached a sign telling me that said site was off to the right, and that was the end of that. I didn’t see any signs of an accident, but that doesn’t mean anything - it’s not like they leave cars sitting there for days while they investigate.
However, yesterday I was taking the same trip and the signs are still there. I should mention that it’s been over a month now between the two trips. How long does it take to investigate an accident? Am I just misreading the signs and actually there’s some permanent investigation site used for something? I think I remember seeing such signs around for a while in other places, but this is the one I immediately remember.
* * *
“I guess it is possible for one person to make a difference, although most of the time they probably shouldn’t.”
---
### Author:  [@NanoByte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NanoByte)
#### Post date: [September 19, 1999, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eternal-investigation/3340/2 "1999-09-19T05:04:00Z")
Eternal investigation is insufficient. You must get recursive investigation. Get on the phone and ask the authorities to investigate why the signs are still up.
Ray
---
### Author:  [@Temujin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temujin)
#### Post date: [September 19, 1999, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eternal-investigation/3340/3 "1999-09-19T06:30:00Z")
This is a guess, but I’m pretty sure the signs mark a designated area for motorists to go if they’ve had a fender-bender and can still drive. Instead of exchanging info on the side of the expressway, they can pull off to the “accident investigation area” to chat. It’s also a convenient place for cops to find you if you call them.
---
### Author:  [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)
#### Post date: [September 19, 1999, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eternal-investigation/3340/4 "1999-09-19T12:50:00Z")
Temujin is correct. The ‘accident investigation site’ is where the cars are taken so that the highway patrol (state police, etc) can ‘investigate’ the accident. I believe that even cars that need a tow are taken here as quickly as possible, to free up the freeway.
---
### Author:  [@Nickrz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nickrz)
#### Post date: [September 19, 1999, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eternal-investigation/3340/5 "1999-09-19T13:48:00Z")
You can also pull over there if you suspect your last fart involved either a liquid or solid.
---
### Author:  [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)
#### Post date: [September 21, 1999, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eternal-investigation/3340/6 "1999-09-21T00:54:00Z")
Ahhh… Well, that makes some sense. Except that if I was in an accident two weeks ago, it’d of never occured to me to go to the Accident Investigation Area. I guess they need to get the word out.
* * *
“I guess it is possible for one person to make a difference, although most of the time they probably shouldn’t.”