This memorandum relates to the continuous collection and storage of the most essential data on road safety. The most important source is and remains the police road accident registration for data about accidents and victims, and the National Travel Survey for data on distances covered. It seems that these registrations are not entirely satisfactory. The most important requirements with regard to the police registration are: (1) control of incomplete accident reporting by the police, and better means of comparison with other forms of accident victim registration as a solution to the problems reported; (2) more data on the type of road, and the possibility for linking up with a file containing data on road sections and the traffic utilising these; and (3) a better subdivision according to accident type, by combining type of accident with type of road, situation and parties involved and by distinguishing between consecutive events. The most important requirements with regard to the National Travel Survey are as follows: (i) expansion of the sample population; and (ii) classification of kilometres travelled according to type of road, and reliable estimation of kilometres covered per mode of transport and type of road, by combining different information sources.
Abstract