High quality accident data is essential for the reduction of fatalities and road accidents in the United States. Motor vehicles account for almost 90 per cent of passenger miles travelled. An outline is given of the National Centre for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA) data collection and analysis programme to understand the factors influencing highway safety, assess the benefits of future activities, quantify the effectiveness of crashworthiness and collision avoidance design characteristics, relate driver behaviour to injury and fatality rates and provide a clear and precise picture of highway crashes. Programme changes planned for the next five years are discussed. Characteristics of the national accident sampling system and its use are discussed. The fatal accident reporting system is outlined and methods of obtaining medical and financial outcome data are considered.
Samenvatting