The principal purpose of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) is to determine the circumstances and causes of accidents and incidents with a view to avoiding similar occurrences in future, rather than to ascribe blame to any person. TAIC investigates significant aviation, rail, and marine accidents and incidents. TAIC does not investigate road events except when the circumstances may have significant implications for rail safety, for example. TAIC is a standing Commission of Inquiry and an independent Crown entity.