At A Glance
Noteworthy Characteristics
- Provides data on pedestrian and cyclist traffic fatalities, which may relate to research on the built environment for physical activity.
- Data available on age, sex, and race/ethnicity of adult and child traffic fatality victims.
- Data available on child safety restraint problems as a factor in fatalities.
Website
https://www.nhtsa.gov/research-data/fatality-analysis-reporting-system-fars
Purpose
To collect data about factors behind motor vehicle traffic fatalities for individuals in the United States (U.S.).
Target Population
Motor vehicle fatal traffic crashes in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Conducted
Began in 1975. Conducted annually. Most recent year conducted was 2018.
Sponsor
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation
Special Note(s)
Contact:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
National Center for Statistics and Analysis
www.nhtsa.gov
1 (800) 934-8517
Sampling
Sample Design
Census of traffic fatalities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Sample Size
The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) is a census of motor vehicle traffic fatalities and does not involve sampling. In 2010, approximately 32,885 fatalities were recorded. In 2010, an estimated 2.24 million people were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes.
Key Variables
Demographic
| Name | Methods of Assessment |
|---|---|
| Age | State reports |
| Race/ethnicity | State reports based on police accident reports, vehicle registration files, driver licensing files, Highway Department data, vital statistics/death certificates, coroner/medical examiner reports, hospital medical reports, emergency medical service reports |
| Sex | State reports |
Sleep-Related
| Name | Methods of Assessment |
|---|---|
| Involuntary falling asleep | State reports |
Weight-Related
| Name | Methods of Assessment |
|---|---|
| Driver height and weight | State reports based on police accident reports, vehicle registration files, driver licensing files, Highway Department data, vital statistics/death certificates, coroner/medical examiner reports, hospital medical reports, emergency medical service reports |
Geocode/Linkage
| Name | Methods of Assessment |
|---|---|
| State, city, county, zip code | N/A |
Other
| Name | Methods of Assessment |
|---|---|
| Causes of traffic fatalities | State reports |
| Child restraint usage | State reports |
| Motor vehicle and driver fatalities | State reports based on police accident reports, vehicle registration files, driver licensing files, Highway Department data, vital statistics/death certificates, coroner/medical examiner reports, hospital medical reports, emergency medical service reports |
| Pedal cyclist fatalities | State reports |
| Pedestrian fatalities | State reports |
Data Access and Cost
Data Availability
Obtain data at the FARS website. Specific data can be requested from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA) with no charge for most requests. NCSA usually responds to data requests within 2 weeks, but more time may be required for complex or lengthy requests.
NHTSA also conducts research on other topics as well as maintains other databases: https://www.nhtsa.gov/research-data
Cost
Free of charge.
Geocode/Linkage
Geocode Variable(s)
State, city, county, zip code.
Existing Linkages
FARS data on individual deaths have been linked to National Center for Health Statistics Multiple Cause of Death data on anatomic injuries noted on death certificate using a deterministic approach to linking the data based on factors such as age, sex, date of death, role in the crash, and state in which the injury occurred. Learn more.
Selected Publications
Full list of Publications by Categories
Physical Activity-Related
Baker SP, Waller A, Langlois J. Motor vehicle deaths in children: Geographic variations. Accident; Analysis and Prevention 1991;23(1):19-28.
Nicaj L, Stayton C, Mandel-Ricci J, McCarthy P, Grasso K, Woloch D, Kerker B. Bicyclist fatalities in New York City: 1996-2005. Traffic Injury Prevention. 2009;10(2):157-161.
Weight-Related
Decina LE, Lococo KH, Doyle CT. Child restraint use survey: Latch use and misuse. Washington (DC): National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, December 2006, DOT HS 810 679.
Hagedorn AV, Pritz HB. Evaluation of the CRABI 12-month-old infant dummy and its comparison with the TNO P3/4. Washington (DC): National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, February 1999, NHTSA Docket #99-5156.
Resources
Data Query System
Documentation/Codebook(s)
Full list of Manuals and Documentation
FARS Coding and Validation Manual
Presentation(s)
List of Presentations
