Special Crash Investigations (SCI)

The SCI program is the agency's sole resource for examining the safety impact of rapidly changing technology (such as air bags and alternative fuel systems) and for exploring alleged or potential vehicle defects. It helps the agency achieve its performance goals by responding to crash investigation requests from internal agency customers (Safety Performance Standards, Safety Assurance, and Research and Development), and by fostering improvements in new technologies to enhance traffic safety

SCI data are critical to understanding real-world motor vehicle crash performance and the injury risk as a function of crash severity. Data are obtained for comparison of these risks from assessment of the damage to crash involved motor vehicles, assessment of the performance of motor vehicle occupant safety devices such as air bags, and documentation of injuries sustained by crash victims.

Read more from the NHTSA article Special Crash Investigations (SCI)

National Automotive Sampling System (NASS)

There are more than 10.6 million police reported motor vehicle traffic crashes each year in the United States resulting in death, injury and property damage at a substantial economic loss to society. It is the mission of NHTSA to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes, deaths and injuries, and consequently the associated economic loss to society resulting from motor vehicle crashes. NASS data are critical to understanding real-world motor vehicle crash performance and the injury risk as a function of crash severity. Data are obtained for comparison of these risks from assessment of the damage to crash involved motor vehicles, assessment of the performance of motor vehicle occupant safety devices, and documentation of injuries sustained by crash victims.

The National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) has been in operation at various levels of development, implementation and operation since 1978. The NASS program was re-evaluated in the mid-1980's. This re-evaluation resulted in changes which were implemented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in January 1988. NASS now has two major operating components:

The General Estimates System (GES) which collects data on an annual sample
of approximately 55,000 police traffic crash reports; and

The Crashworthiness Data System (CDS) which collects additional
detailed information on an annual sample of approximately 5,000 police reported
traffic crashes involving a towed passenger car, van or truck that is less than
or equal to 10,000 pounds GVW

Read more from the NHTSA article National Automotive Sampling System (NASS)

Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES)

CODES was developed to study the benefits of safety belt and motorcycle helmet use in crashes as required by Section 1031(b) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA). In 1992, NHTSA awarded grants to seven states (Hawaii, Maine, Missouri, Pennsylvania, New York, Utah, and Wisconsin) to link their crash and medical outcome data and produce a report to congress on the benefits of safety belt and motorcycle helmet use.

There is no one source of data which enables the information about the injury-causing event (the motor vehicle crash) to be directly related to specific medical and financial consequences for each person involved in the crash. Linked crash and medical outcome data is a giant step in that direction.

Read more from the NHTSA article Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES)

Motor Vehicle Impact Injury

The introduction of both front and side air bags and other technological advances in vehicle restraint systems, designed to protect occupants in both front and side impact crashes, is both reducing overall injury severity, but also radically altering the pattern of injuries. There is a need to understand what this change is, what the injury mechanisms are, what are the costs associated with this, and what could be done to mitigate these injuries. In addition there is a need to monitor the effect of FMVSS 208 and 214 which regulate frontal and side protection.

Read more from the NHTSA article Motor Vehicle Impact Injury Mechanisms To Restrained Occupants -