Abstract
In a representative investigation concerning 19 urban and rural districts of West Germany, 10.5% for 1980 and 8.6% for 1985 of all registered road deaths in the Federal territory were surveyed. To test the accuracy of the official reporting of traffic casualties all fatal traffic accidents occurring in these 19 regions were analyzed with regard to the 2 time periods and compared with the relevant official statistics. The results revealed that for 1980 6.3% and 5 yearslater 7.3% of road traffic fatalities were not reported. When the statutory exclusion caused by the 30-day-limit was included these figures increased to 7.9% and 9.5% respectively. (A).