Extracts are reproduced from the IRTAD Special Report "Under-reporting of Road Traffic Accidents Recorded by the Police at the International Level". The paper includes the tables, the main findings, conclusions and recommendations from the report. A distinction is drawn between the reasons for under-reporting and the reasons for under-recording. The reasons for differences between countries are investigated, and the factors affecting the overall level of reporting are discussed. Data is included on the proportions of casualties in traffic accidents reported in Norway, Great Britain, Germany, and Switzerland. Police reports are regarded as a reliable source of accidents involving motor vehicles. Traffic accidents not involving motor vehicles have a low rate of reporting and hospital data can be the best source of information in this case.
Abstract