In 2002, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s), National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) improved its child safety data collection for the Crashworthiness Data System (CDS) by having each primary sampling unit (PSU), location, dedicate one data encoder to child safety issues. In turn, NASS data encoders took the PSU source data and created the CDS data entries. These CDS data were obtained via crash scene and vehicle inspections supplemented with occupant interviews and medical records, when available. Consequently, the NASS encoders were trained extensively on child safety seat technologies, as well as their installation and placement, and new variables and attributes were defined. The new variables and attributes allow encoders to describe fully the child safety seat within the vehicle during the crash, from post crash occupant interview and vehicle inspection. The expanded data compiles real-world crashes involving child occupants, providing a unique data set useful to NHTSA as well as the whole child occupant protection community.

This paper presents a description of the new data collection process, the new variables, and a first look at the analyses possible with the new data set.