graphic THE IMPORTANCE OF SHARING DATA graphic

Data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is used to support the following data systems and programs:

  • The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) provides information on all motor vehicle traffic crashes in the United States in which one or more involved people die as the result of crash injuries within 30 days of the crash.

  • The National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System (NASS CDS) is a nationally representative sample of police-reported motor vehicle traffic crashes involving towed passenger vehicles in which detailed investigations are conducted to support NHTSA’s crashworthiness standards development evaluation programs.

  • The National Automotive Sampling System General Estimates System (NASS GES) is a nationally representative sample of all police-reported motor vehicle traffic crashes throughout the United States. Data is based on information collected on the police crash report.

  • The State Data System (SDS) is a multiyear database of computerized police-reported crashes. SDS has grown rapidly in recent years as more States have contributed their crash data, further increasing the value of SDS to NHTSA and the greater highway safety community.

  • The Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) is a program which encourages States to link statewide motor vehicle crash data and medical outcome databases to match vehicle, crash, and human behavior characteristics to their specific medical and financial outcomes.

  • The Special Crash Investigations (SCI) program uses highly trained and skilled motor vehicle crash reconstructionists to perform detailed investigations on a limited number of crashes involving new and rapidly changing occupant protection technologies or high-profile crashes of interest to the agency.

  • The National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) is a nationally representative observational survey that provides estimates of shoulder belt and motorcycle helmet use as well as the characteristics of belt users.

  • The National Driver Register (NDR) is a central repository of information on individuals who have been convicted of serious traffic related offenses or whose privilege to drive has been revoked, suspended, canceled, or denied.