During what circumstances should ignition keys be removed from a vehicle?

Removing ignition keys from a vehicle is a critical aspect of evidence preservation procedures during traffic incidents. When an incident occurs, the vehicle itself may serve as important evidence for investigations, such as understanding the cause of an accident or collecting data related to the incident. By securing the keys, investigators can ensure the vehicle remains in its original state, thereby preserving crucial details that could be integral to the case.

The preservation of evidence might include ensuring that the vehicle cannot be moved or tampered with, which could alter the conditions of the accident scene or affect the data that could be extracted from onboard systems. Thus, removing keys for evidence preservation is a necessary protocol to uphold the integrity of the investigation.