Road traffic accidents remain a significant public safety concern, placing traffic investigators at the forefront of accident response and investigation. This study explored the lived experiences of traffic investigators in the aftermath of road traffic incidents, using a qualitative phenomenological approach grounded in the work of Max van Manen. The participants were six (6) active-duty police officers assigned as traffic investigators in selected municipal police stations in Bukidnon Province, Philippines, each with at least four years of investigative experience. Data were collected through in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide and analyzed using Van Manen’s hermeneutic phenomenological method. The findings revealed five essential themes: embodied strain and heightened vigilance; navigating chaotic and unpredictable accident spaces; temporal tension between urgency and prolonged attention; balancing professional duty and human compassion; and interpreting evidence through material objects. These themes indicate that traffic investigators experience their work as physically demanding, emotionally challenging, and cognitively complex, requiring vigilance, adaptability, and professional discipline. Despite these challenges, investigators find meaning through duty and public service. The study highlights the need for institutional support, enhanced training, and stress management to sustain investigator well-being and effectiveness in road safety and accident response. It is recommended that law enforcement agencies strengthen training and support systems to better equip traffic investigators in managing both operational demands and psychological stress.
accident investigation, lived experiences, phenomenology, resilience, road safety, traffic investigators.
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