RESEARCH and DATA

Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)

The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) contains data on a census of fatal traffic crashes with the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. To be included in FARS, a crash must involve a motor vehicle traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public and result in the death of a person (occupant of vehicle or a non-motorist) within 30 days of the crash.

Washington Traffic Fatality Recap

Fatality Recap Comparison - June 2006 and June 2007

• Provide an overall measure of highway safety
• Help identify traffic safety problems
• Suggest solutions
• Help provide an objective basis to evaluate the effectiveness of motor vehicle safety standards and highway safety programs
• NHTSA has a cooperative agreement with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to provide the FARS data in our state.

How FARS Data is Gathered

The Washington State FARS team gathers data from an extensive trail of information in order to complete just one case. The data trail includes the following:

• Daily Recap and Teletype (Link to WSP?)
• Abstract of Drivers Record (ADR) (Link to DOL?)
• Police Traffic Collision Reports from Washington State Patrol Collision Records Section (highlight link - information for Officers - insert information commonly collected, deadline information, downloadable forms, link to collision records?)
• Vehicle Records (Link to DOL?)
• Roadway Information (Link to WSDOT/CRAB?)
• EMS Data (highlight link - information for EMS Providers - attach important documents, write narrative, downloadable forms)
• Toxicology Reports (link to WSP Tox Lab?)
• Death Certificates from Vital Records (Link to DOH Vital Records?)