Statistics from the first full year of operation of the National Accident Sampling System (NASS) '- 1979 - are presented and discussed. Based upon a sample of 3,418 accident investigations from 10 sites, various data are presented on the national estimate of 7,330,000 police reported accidents and their consequences.
National estimates from the following areas of interest are displayed and briefly discussed: types of vehicles involved, first harmful events, injuries and injury rates, accidents by urban/rural roadways with various speed limits, pedestrian and pedalcyclist accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, passenger car accidents, occupant restraints, driver licensing, alcohol involvement, injury severities and accident consequences in terms of hospitalization and work days lost.
The NASS is presently operating at 30 sites with expansions to 52 sites planned in 1982 and the full complement of 75 sites planned in 1983 and 1984. NASS will be an integral part of NHTSA data support plans in the areas of crashworthiness, crash avoidance, and highway safety.