Uses of Traffic Accident Records: A Manual

NHTSA · 1947 · ROSA P / Eno Foundation for Highway Traffic Control

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Summary

This 1947 manual, prepared by the Committee on Uses of Developed Information of the National Conference on Uniform Traffic Accident Statistics, addresses the underutilization of traffic accident data for safety improvement. Although standardized reporting and analysis methods had existed since the 1920s, the authors observed that most cities and states failed to apply this information effectively to accident prevention. The manual aims to bridge the gap between statistical collection and practical application, urging administrators to use records to focus limited resources on specific hazardous conditions and unsafe behaviors rather than dispersing efforts broadly. The document outlines the basic requirements for effective record use, emphasizing the need for adequate reporting laws, standard report forms, and qualified personnel. It argues that while fatality data is often the only complete nationwide statistic, it is insufficient for local analysis; comprehensive reporting of injury and property damage accidents is necessary to identify patterns. The manual details specific analytical techniques, including mass tabulations, selective analyses, spot maps, and collision diagrams. It warns against common statistical fallacies, such as assuming causation from correlation or ignoring exposure rates, and stresses the importance of relating accident counts to traffic volume and other demographic data to derive meaningful rates. The core of the manual categorizes the application of accident records across six primary domains: administrative, enforcement, engineering, educational, motor vehicle administration, and motor carrier operations. For enforcement, it advocates using data to assign police personnel based on time and location patterns of accidents and violations. In engineering, it describes using "spot maps" to identify high-frequency accident locations and conducting before-and-after studies to measure the effectiveness of physical improvements like signage, lighting, and intersection redesigns. For education, it suggests using statistical summaries and location studies to tailor safety curricula for specific age groups, particularly children. Motor vehicle administrators are advised to use records for licensing decisions, vehicle inspection standards, and financial responsibility laws, while motor carriers are encouraged to use data for internal safety programs and cost reduction. The significance of this work lies in its establishment of a systematic framework for evidence-based traffic safety management. By demonstrating how accident records can guide policy, justify budget expenditures, and evaluate program effectiveness, the manual positions data not as a by-product of safety efforts but as a primary tool for decision-making. It concludes that the rigorous, standardized use of accident information is essential for the rational expansion of safety programs and the economical expenditure of public funds to achieve maximum accident reduction.

Key finding

The manual provides a comprehensive framework for utilizing traffic accident records to guide accident prevention policies and improve traffic safety across administrative, enforcement, engineering, and educational domains.

Methodology

review

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• incidence prevalence

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes
• Methodological Resource: dataset resource