RESEARCH and DATA

Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)

The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) contains data on a census of fatal traffic crashes that occur in 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.

• 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:

• Abstract of Drivers Record (ADR)
• Police Traffic Collision Reports
• Vehicle Records
• Roadway Information
• EMS Data
• Toxicology Reports
• Death Certificates