NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) Analytical User’s Manual 1975 2016 FARS Users 822447

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DOT HS 812 447 October 2017
Fatality Analysis Reporting
System (FARS)
Analytical User’s Manual
1975-2016
FARS Analytical User’s Manual
1975 – 2016
U. S. Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
National Center for Statistics and Analysis
Washington, D.C. 20590
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Table of Contents • 1
Table of Contents
New in 2016 FARS ......................................................................................................... 2
Data Elements with Changes in Attributes ........................................................... 2
Summary of the SAS Naming Changes in 2016 .................................................. 4
Preface ........................................................................................................................... 5
FARS Operations ............................................................................................................ 6
FARS SAS Data Files ..................................................................................................... 7
FARS Data Element List ............................................................................................... 11
Data Element Definitions and Codes ............................................................................. 23
Key Data Elements ............................................................................................ 24
The ACCIDENT Data File .................................................................................. 29
The VEHICLE Data File ..................................................................................... 87
The PERSON Data File ................................................................................... 239
The PARKWORK Data File ............................................................................. 284
The PBTYPE Data File .................................................................................... 411
The CEVENT Data File ................................................................................... 435
The VEVENT Data File .................................................................................... 442
The VSOE Data File ........................................................................................ 449
The DAMAGE Data File .................................................................................. 453
The DISTRACT Data File ................................................................................ 455
The DRIMPAIR Data File................................................................................. 457
The FACTOR Data File ................................................................................... 459
The MANEUVER Data File .............................................................................. 461
The VIOLATN Data File ................................................................................... 463
The VISION Data File ...................................................................................... 467
The NMCRASH Data File ................................................................................ 469
The NMIMPAIR Data File ................................................................................ 471
The NMPRIOR Data File ................................................................................. 473
The SAFETYEQ Data File ............................................................................... 475
The VINDECODE Data File ............................................................................. 477
Appendices ................................................................................................................. 478
Appendix A: PC23 Crash Type Diagram....................................................... 479
Appendix B: Rules for Derived Data Elements ............................................. 480
Appendix C: Auxiliary Data Files ................................................................... 487
Appendix D: Additional Data Element Information ........................................ 489
Appendix E: Changes in FARS Data Elements by SAS Data File and Year . 529
Appendix F: Summary of 2010 and 2011 FARS Changes ............................ 554
Appendix G: Changes to the FARS VIN Decoded Data Elements ................ 596
Appendix H: Pedestrian and Bicyclist Data:
Availability of 2014 and 2015 Data ........................................... 600
FARS Analytical User’s Manual New in 2016 FARS
FARS Analytical User’s Manual New in 2016 FARS • 2
New in 2016 FARS
Data Elements with Changes in Attributes
Below is a list of FARS data elements that have substantial changes for 2016. Changes are
denoted in bold typeface (bold/italics for additions, bold/strikethrough for deletions). More
detailed information on each data element can be found in the FARS/CRSS Coding and
Validation Manual. NHTSA publishes these manuals for each year of data collection and they
can be found at:
NCSA Publications- FARS/NASS GES/CRSS Manuals and Documentation
DATA
ELEMENT
#
DATA
ELEMENT
NAME
SAS TABLE.NAME
COMMENTS
C19
First Harmful
Event
Accident.HARM_EV
▪ Revised Attributes: 73 (Object That
Had Fallen Fell From Motor Vehicle
In-Transport) and 31 (Other Post,
Other Pole or Other Supports).
▪ New Attribute: 74 (Road Vehicle on
Rails).
V4
Number of
Occupants
Vehicle. NUMOCCS,
Parkwork.PNUMOCCS
▪ Revised Attribute Range: from 1-95 to
1-98 (Number of Occupants).
▪ Removed Attribute: 96 (Ninety-six or
more).
V15
Trailer Vehicle
Identification
Number
Vehicle.TRLR1VIN,
Vehicle.TRLR2VIN,
Vehicle.TRLR3VIN,
Parkwork.PTRLR1VIN,
Parkwork.PTRLR2VIN,
Parkwork.PTRLR3VIN
▪ New element
Old V31
New V32
Sequence of
Events
Cevent.SOE,
Vevent.SOE,
Vsoe.SOE
▪ Revised Attributes: 73 (Object That
Had Fallen Fell From Motor Vehicle
In-Transport) and 31 (Other Post,
Other Pole or Other Supports).
▪ New Attribute: 74 (Road Vehicle on
Rails).
Old V32
New V33
Most Harmful
Event
Vehicle.M_HARM,
Parkwork.PM_HARM
▪ Revised Attributes: 73 (Object That
Had Fallen Fell From Motor Vehicle
In-Transport) and 31 (Other Post,
Other Pole or Other Supports).
▪ New Attribute: 74 (Road Vehicle on
Rails).
PC7
Speed Limit
Vehicle. VSPD_LIM
▪ Revised Attribute Range: from 5-80 to
5-95 (Speed Limit (In 5 mph
Increments))
FARS Analytical User’s Manual New in 2016 FARS
FARS Analytical User’s Manual New in 2016 FARS • 3
DATA
ELEMENT
#
DATA
ELEMENT
NAME
SAS TABLE.NAME
COMMENTS
PC19
Critical Event -
Precrash
(Events)
Vehicle.P_CRASH2
▪ Revised Attribute: 64 (From Parking
Lane/Shoulder, Median/Crossover,
Shoulder, Roadside).
PC20
Attempted
Avoidance
Maneuver
Vehicle.P_CRASH3
▪ Deleted Attributes: 02 (Braking [No
Lockup]), 03 (Braking [Lockup]), 04
(Braking [Lockup Unknown]).
▪ Added Attributes: 15 (Braking and
Unknown Steering Direction) and 16
(Braking).
▪ Revised Attribute: 99 (Unknown/Not
Reported).
P8/
NM8
Injury Severity
Person.INJ_SEV
▪ Revised Attribute: 9 (Unknown/Not
Reported).
P20/
NM19
Method of Drug
Determination
by Police
Person. DRUG_DET
▪ Revised Attribute: 2 (Drug Recognition
Expert/Evaluator (DRE) Technician
(DRT) determination).
P26/
NM25
Related Factors-
Person Level
Person.P_SF1,
Person.P_SF2,
Person.P_SF3
▪ Added Attribute: 92 (Non-Motorist
Wearing Motorcycle Helmet)
NM9-
PB36
Pedestrian/Bike
Typing -
Intersection Leg
Pbtype.PEDLEG
▪ Revised Attribute: 9 (Unknown/None
of the Above).
FARS Analytical User’s Manual New in 2016 FARS
FARS Analytical User’s Manual New in 2016 FARS • 4
Summary of the SAS Naming Changes in 2016
Locator
Code
2015
SAS Name
New 2016
SAS Name
Data Element Name
V15
N/A
Vehicle.TRLR1VIN,
Vehicle.TRLR2VIN,
Vehicle.TRLR3VIN,
Parkwork.PTRLR1VIN,
Parkwork.PTRLR2VIN,
Parkwork.PTRLR3VIN
Trailer Vehicle Identification Number
None
The data elements in RED are new to 2016 FARS.
The data elements in BLUE are changed in 2016 FARS.
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Preface
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Preface • 5
Preface
One of the primary objectives of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is
to reduce the staggering human toll and property damage that motor vehicle traffic crashes
impose on our society. Crashes each year result in thousands of lives lost, hundreds of
thousands of injured victims, and billions of dollars in property damage. Accurate data are
required to support the development, implementation, and assessment of highway safety
programs aimed at reducing this toll. NHTSA uses data from many sources, including the
Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) which began operation in 1975. Providing data
about fatal crashes involving all types of vehicles, the FARS is used to identify highway safety
problem areas, provide a basis for regulatory and consumer information initiatives, and form the
basis for cost and benefit analyses of highway safety initiatives.
FARS is a census of fatal motor vehicle crashes with a set of data files documenting all
qualifying fatalities that occurred within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico
since 1975. To qualify as a FARS case, the crash had to involve a motor vehicle traveling on a
trafficway customarily open to the public, and must have resulted in the death of a motorist or a
non-motorist within 30 days of the crash.
This multi-year analytical user’s manual provides documentation on the historical coding
practices of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System from 1975 to 2016. In other words, this
manual presents the evolution of FARS coding from inception through present. The manual
includes the data elements that are contained in FARS and other useful information that will
enable the users to become familiar with the data system. The FARS/NASS GES and
FARS/CRSS Coding and Validation Manuals provide more detailed definitions for each data
element and attribute for a given year. Years 2001 to current are available at:
NCSA Publications- FARS/NASS GES/CRSS Manuals and Documentation.
The compilation of FARS data for more than four decades has been a priority for NHTSA.
These data store valuable information that have been preserved over time and are available for
present and future use. This analytical user’s manual should help improve the usefulness and
accessibility of the FARS data. With the exception of personal notes, there is no reason to keep
older versions of this reference manual. All information in earlier editions has been retained in
this newer version.
Thank you for your interest in highway traffic safety.
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Operations
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Operations • 6
FARS Operations
The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), which became operational in 1975, contains
data on a census of fatal traffic crashes within 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 must result in the death of an occupant of a
vehicle or a non-occupant within 30 days (720 hours) of the crash.
FARS is directed by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA), which is a
component of NHTSA. NHTSA has a cooperative agreement with an agency in each State’s
government to provide information on all qualifying fatal crashes in the State. These agreements
are managed by NCSA's FARS Program staff. Trained State employees, called “FARS
Analysts,” are responsible for gathering, translating, and transmitting their State’s data to NCSA
in a standard format. The number of analysts varies by State.
FARS data are obtained from various States’ documents, such as:
• Police Crash Reports
• Death Certificates
• State Vehicle Registration Files
• Coroner/Medical Examiner Reports
• State Driver Licensing Files
• State Highway Department Data
• Emergency Medical Service Reports
• Vital Statistics and other State Records
From these documents, the analysts code more than 100 FARS data elements. The specific
data elements may be modified slightly each year to conform to changing user needs, vehicle
characteristics, and highway safety emphasis areas. The data collected within FARS do not
include any personal identifying information, such as names, addresses, or social security
numbers. Thus, any data kept in FARS data files and made available to the public fully conform
to the Privacy Act.
Each analyst interprets and codes data directly onto an electronic data file. The data are
automatically checked when entered for acceptable range values and for consistency, enabling
the analyst to make corrections immediately. Several programs continually monitor and improve
the completeness and accuracy of the data.
Each analyst uses a coding manual which provides a set of written instructions on how to
transfer the information from a police accident/crash report (PAR) to the FARS data. To
augment the coding manual, classes are held each year to train the coders, and a system wide
FARS meeting is held to reinforce uniform coding practices.
After the data file is created, quality checks are performed on the data. When these are
completed, the electronic data are made available to the public. The FARS data are also used
to respond to requests from the international and national highway safety communities, state
and local governments, the Congress, federal agencies, research organizations, industry, the
media, and private citizens. Annual FARS data files are available for 1975 through 2016.
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS SAS Data Files
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS SAS Data Files • 7
FARS SAS Data Files
FARS data are made available to the public in Statistical Analysis System (SAS) data files as
well as Database Files (DBF). Over the years, changes have been made to the type of data
collected and the way the data are presented in the data files. Some data files have been
discontinued and new ones have been created. For the current data collection year there are
20 data files.
This manual describes the 20 current data files as well as previously discontinued data files.
The 20 current data files are: Accident, Vehicle, Person, Parkwork, Pbtype, Cevent, Vevent,
Vsoe, Damage, Distract, Drimpair, Factor, Maneuver, Nmimpair, Nmprior, Nmcrash, Safetyeq,
Violatn, Vindecode, and Vision data files. Eleven of these data files contain one data element
each in which the analyst could code multiple responses: Damage, Distract, Drimpair, Factor,
Maneuver, Nmimpair, Nmprior, Nmcrash, Safetyeq, Violatn, and Vision. That is, the
FARS/CRSS Coding and Validation Manual instructs coders to “select all that apply” for these
data elements. Discontinued data files are included after the current data files. The Vehnit data
file was replaced by the Parkwork data file and its data element history can be found in the
Parkwork data file.
The data files are presented with their data elements in the Data Elements Definitions and
Codes section. For each of the data elements, a brief definition is provided along with any
additional information which could assist analyses. SAS names and values are also provided
for the data elements. Discontinued data elements are moved to the end of the data file.
The SAS data files and years of availability are:
• Accident - (1975-current): This data file contains information about crash characteristics
and environmental conditions at the time of the crash. There is one record per crash.
• Vehicle - (1975-current): This data file contains information describing the in-transport
motor vehicles and the drivers of in-transport motor vehicle who are involved in the
crash. There is one record per in-transport motor vehicle. Parked and working vehicle
information is in the Parkwork data file.
• Person - (1975-current): This data file contains information describing all persons
involved in the crash including motorists (i.e., drivers and passengers of in-transport
motor vehicles) and non-motorists (e.g., pedestrians and pedalcyclists). It provides
information such as age, sex, vehicle occupant restraint use, and injury severity. There
is one record per person.
• Parkwork - (2010-current): This data file contains information about parked and working
vehicles that were involved in FARS crashes. A parked vehicle is a motor vehicle which
is stopped off the roadway. A working vehicle is used to indicate that this is a motor
vehicle that was in the act of performing highway construction, maintenance or utility
work related to the trafficway when it became an involved in the crash. Data users are
strongly advised to consult the annual FARS/CRSS Coding and Validation Manuals for a
detailed description. There is one record per parked/working vehicle.
• Pbtype – (2014-current): This data file contains information about crashes between
motor vehicles and pedestrians, people on personal conveyances and bicyclists. Data
from the crash are enter into the Pedestrian and Bicycle Crash Analysis Tool (PBCAT).
The output fields from PBCAT, including the pre-crash actions of the parties involved
(crash type), are included in this data set. There is one record for each pedestrian,
bicyclist or person on a personal conveyance.
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS SAS Data Files
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS SAS Data Files • 8
• Cevent – (2010-current): This data file contains information for all of the qualifying
events (i.e., both harmful and non-harmful involving in-transport motor vehicles) which
occurred in the crash. It details the chronological sequence of events resulting from an
unstabilized situation that constitutes a motor vehicle traffic crash. There is one record
per event. Included in each record is a description of the event or object contacted (e.g.,
ran off road-right, crossed center line, guardrail, parked motor vehicle), the vehicles
involved, and the vehicles’ area of impact.
• Vevent – (2010-current): This data file contains the sequence of events for each in-
transport motor vehicle involved in the crash. This data file has the same data elements
as the Cevent data file. In addition, this data file has a data element that records the
sequential event number for each vehicle (VEVENTNUM). There is one record for each
event for each in-transport motor vehicle.
• Vsoe – (2010-current): This data file contains the sequence of events for each in-
transport motor vehicle involved in the crash. This data file has a subset of the data
elements contained in the Vevent data file (It is a simplified Vevent data file). There is
one record for each event for each in-transport motor vehicle.
• Damage - (2012-current): This data file contains information about all of the areas on
this vehicle that were damaged in the crash. There is one record per damaged area.
• Distract - (2010-current): This data file contains information about driver distractions.
There is at least one record per in-transport motor vehicle. Each distraction is a separate
record.
• Drimpair - (2010-current): This data file contains information about physical impairments
of drivers of motor vehicles. There is one record per impairment and there is at least one
record for each driver of an in-transport motor vehicle.
• Factor - (2010-current): This data file contains information about vehicle circumstances
which may have contributed to the crash. There is at least one record per in-transport
motor vehicle. Each factor is a separate record.
• Maneuver - (2010-current): This data file contains information about actions taken by
the driver to avoid something or someone in the road. There is at least one record per
in-transport motor vehicle. Each maneuver is a separate record.
• Violatn - (2010-current): This data file contains information about violations which were
charged to drivers. There is at least one record per in-transport motor vehicle. Each
violation is a separate record.
• Vision - (2010-current): This data file contains information about circumstances which
may have obscured the driver’s vision. There is at least one record per in-transport
motor vehicle. Each obstruction is a separate record.
• Nmcrash - (2010-current): This data file contains information about any contributing
circumstances or improper actions of people who are not occupants of motor vehicles
(e.g., pedestrians and bicyclists) noted on the PAR. There is one record per action and
there is at least one record for each person who is not an occupant of a motor vehicle.
• Nmimpair - (2010-current): This data file contains information about physical
impairments of people who are not occupants of motor vehicles. There is one record per
impairment and there is at least one record for each person who is not an occupant of a
motor vehicle.
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS SAS Data Files
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS SAS Data Files • 9
• Nmprior - (2010-current): This data file contains information about the actions of people
who are not occupants of motor vehicles (e.g., pedestrians and bicyclists) at the time of
their involvement in the crash. There is one record per action and there is at least one
record for each person who is not an occupant of a motor vehicle.
• Safetyeq - (2010-current): This data file contains information about safety equipment
used by people who are not occupants of motor vehicles. There is one record per
equipment item, and there is at least one record for each person who is not an occupant
of a motor vehicle.
• Vindecode - (2013-current): This data file contains vehicle descriptors for all vehicles,
mainly passenger vehicles, trucks and motorcycles, based on the vehicle’s VIN which is
decoded using the VINtelligence program. There is one record per vehicle.
Discontinued Data Files
• Vehnit - (2005-2009): This data file contains information about parked and working
vehicles that were involved in FARS crashes. Prior to the Vehnit creation, the vehicles
Not-In-Transport were not included in the FARS data. This data file had the same list of
data elements and SAS structure as the Vehicle data file where the UNITTYPE of the
vehicle is 2, 3, or 4. The vehicle data file will have the vehicles in-transport where the
UNITYPE of the vehicle is 1. Beginning in 2010, FARS discontinued the Vehnit data file
and introduced the Parkwork data file. There is one record per parked/working vehicle.
This data file was replaced in 2010 with the Parkwork data file. See the Parkwork data
file in the Data Element Definitions and Codes section for the element history of this data
file.
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS SAS Data Files
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS SAS Data Files • 10
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List • 11
FARS Data Element List
The following lists all SAS data elements with their SAS data file locations.
DATA ELEMENT LIST
C1/V1/D1/PC1/
P1/NM1 State Number STATE 24
C2/V2/D2/PC2/
P2/NM2 Consecutive Number ST_CASE 25
V3/D3/PC3/
P3/NM4 Vehicle Number VEH_NO 26
P4/NM3 Person Number PER_NO 27
C18 Event Number EVENTNUM 28
C18 Vehicle Event Number VEVENTNUM 28
The ACCIDENT Data File 29
C3 Number of Forms Submitted for Persons
Not in Motor Vehicles PEDS 30
C3A Number of Persons Not in Motor Vehicles
in Transport (MVIT) PERNOTMVIT 30
C4 Number of Vehicle Forms Submitted- ALL VE_TOTAL 31
C4A Number of Motor Vehicles in Transport (MVIT) VE_FORMS 32
C4B Number of Parked/Working Vehicles PVH_INVL 33
C5 Number of Forms Submitted for Persons
in Motor Vehicles PERSONS 34
C5A Number of Persons in Motor Vehicles
in Transport (MVIT) PERMVIT 35
C6 County COUNTY 36
C7 City CITY 37
C8A Month of Crash MONTH 38
C8B Day of Crash DAY 38
C8C Day of Week DAY_WEEK 39
C8D Year of Crash YEAR 39
C9A Hour of Crash HOUR 40
C9B Minute of Crash MINUTE 40
C10 Trafficway Identifier TWAY_ID 41
C10 Trafficway Identifier TWAY_ID2 41
C11 Route Signing ROUTE 42
C12A Land Use RUR_URB 43
C12B Functional System FUNC_SYS 44
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List • 12
C13 Ownership RD_OWNER 45
C14 National Highway System NHS 46
C15 Special Jurisdiction SP_JUR 47
C16 Milepoint MILEPT 48
C17A Latitude LATITUDE 49
C17B Longitude LONGITUD 50
C19 First Harmful Event HARM_EV 51
C20 Manner of Collision MAN_COLL 55
C21A Relation to Junction- Within Interchange Area RELJCT1 56
C21B Relation to Junction- Specific Location RELJCT2 56
C22 Type of Intersection TYP_INT 58
C23 Relation to Trafficway REL_ROAD 59
C24 Work Zone WRK_ZONE 60
C25 Light Condition LGT_COND 61
C26 Atmospheric Conditions WEATHER 62
C26 Atmospheric Conditions WEATHER1 62
C26 Atmospheric Conditions WEATHER2 62
C27 School Bus Related SCH_BUS 63
C28 Rail Grade Crossing Identifier RAIL 64
C29A Hour of Notification NOT_HOUR 65
C29B Minute of Notification NOT_MIN 65
C30A Hour of Arrival at Scene ARR_HOUR 66
C30B Minute of Arrival at Scene ARR_MIN 66
C31A Hour of EMS Arrival at Hospital HOSP_HR 67
C31B Minute of EMS Arrival at Hospital HOSP_MIN 67
C32 Related Factors- Crash Level CF1 68
C32 Related Factors- Crash Level CF2 68
C32 Related Factors- Crash Level CF3 68
C100 Number of Drinking Drivers DRUNK_DR 74
C101 Fatalities FATALS 70
Federal Highway (discontinued) FED_AID 71
Hit and Run (discontinued) HIT_RUN 72
Land Use (discontinued) LAND_USE 73
Roadway Alignment (discontinued) ALIGNMNT 75
Roadway Function Class (discontinued) ROAD_FNC 76
Roadway Profile (discontinued) PROFILE 77
Roadway Surface Condition (discontinued) SUR_COND 78
Roadway Surface Type (discontinued) PAVE_TYP 79
Speed Limit (discontinued) SP_LIMIT 80
Total Lanes in Roadway (discontinued) NO_LANES 81
Traffic Control Device (discontinued) TRA_CONT 82
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List • 13
Traffic Control Device Functioning
(discontinued) T_CONT_F 84
Trafficway Description (discontinued) TRAF_FLO 85
Vehicles in Transport (discontinued) VEHICLES 86
The VEHICLE Data File 87
V4 Number of Occupants NUMOCCS 88
V5 Unit Type UNITTYPE 89
V6 Hit and Run HIT_RUN 90
V7 Registration State REG_STAT 91
V8 Registered Vehicle Owner OWNER 93
V9 Vehicle Make MAKE 94
V10 Vehicle Model MODEL 99
V11 Body Type BODY_TYP 101
V12 Vehicle Model Year MOD_YEAR 106
V13 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) VIN 107
V14 Vehicle Trailing TOW_VEH 108
V15 Trailer Vehicle Identification Number TRLR1VIN 109
V15 Trailer Vehicle Identification Number TRLR2VIN 109
V15 Trailer Vehicle Identification Number TRLR3VIN 109
V16 Jackknife J_KNIFE 110
V17 Motor Carrier Identification Number (MCID) MCARR_ID 111
V17A MCID Issuing Authority MCARR_I1 112
V17B MCID Identification Number MCARR_I2 113
V18 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR 114
V19 Vehicle Configuration V_CONFIG 115
V21 Cargo Body Type CARGO_BT 117
V21A/HM1 Hazardous Material Involvement HAZ_INV 119
V21B/HM2 Hazardous Material Placard HAZ_PLAC 119
V21C/HM3 Hazardous Material Identification Number HAZ_ID 119
V21D/HM4 Hazardous Material Class Number HAZ_CNO 120
V21E/HM5 Release of Hazardous Material from the
Cargo Compartment HAZ_REL 120
V22 Bus Use BUS_USE 121
V23 Special Use SPEC_USE 122
V24 Emergency Motor Vehicle Use EMER_USE 123
V25 Travel Speed TRAV_SP 124
V26 Underride/Override UNDERIDE 125
V27 Rollover ROLLOVER 126
V28 Location of Rollover ROLINLOC 127
V29A Initial Contact Point IMPACT1 128
V30 Extent of Damage DEFORMED 129
V31 Vehicle Removal TOWED 130
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List • 14
V33 Most Harmful Event M_HARM 131
V34 Related Factors- Vehicle Level VEH_SC1 135
V34 Related Factors- Vehicle Level VEH_SC2 135
V35 Fire Occurrence FIRE_EXP 137
V100 Make Model Combined MAK_MOD 138
V101 VIN Character 1 VIN_1 139
V102 VIN Character 2 VIN_2 140
V103 VIN Character 3 VIN_3 141
V104 VIN Character 4 VIN_4 142
V105 VIN Character 5 VIN_5 143
V106 VIN Character 6 VIN_6 144
V107 VIN Character 7 VIN_7 145
V108 VIN Character 8 VIN_8 146
V109 VIN Character 9 VIN_9 147
V110 VIN Character 10 VIN_10 148
V111 VIN Character 11 VIN_11 149
V112 VIN Character 12 VIN_12 150
V150 Fatalities in Vehicle DEATHS 151
V151 Driver Drinking DR_DRINK 152
D4 Driver Presence DR_PRES 153
D5 Driver’s License State L_STATE 154
D6 Driver’s ZIP Code DR_ZIP 155
D7A Non-CDL License Type L_TYPE 156
D7B Non-CDL License Status L_STATUS 156
D8 Commercial Motor Vehicle License Status CDL_STAT 158
D9 Compliance with CDL Endorsements L_ENDORS 159
D10 License Compliance with Class of Vehicle L_COMPL 160
D11 Compliance with License Restrictions L_RESTRI 161
D12 Driver Height DR_HGT 162
D13 Driver Weight DR_WGT 163
D14 Previous Recorded Crashes PREV_ACC 164
D15 Previous Recorded Suspensions and
Revocations PREV_SUS 165
D16 Previous DWI Convictions PREV_DWI 166
D17 Previous Speeding Convictions PREV_SPD 167
D18 Previous Other Moving Violation Convictions PREV_OTH 168
D19A Month of First Crash, Suspension or Conviction FIRST_MO 169
D19B Year of First Crash, Suspension or Conviction FIRST_YR 170
D20A Month of Last Crash, Suspension or Conviction LAST_MO 171
D20B Year of Last Crash, Suspension or Conviction LAST_YR 172
D22 Speeding Related SPEEDREL 173
D24 Related Factors- Driver Level DR_SF1 174
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List • 15
D24 Related Factors- Driver Level DR_SF2 174
D24 Related Factors- Driver Level DR_SF3 174
D24 Related Factors- Driver Level DR_SF4 174
PC5 Trafficway Description VTRAFWAY 180
PC6 Total Lanes in Roadway VNUM_LAN 181
PC7 Speed Limit VSPD_LIM 182
PC8 Roadway Alignment VALIGN 183
PC9 Roadway Grade VPROFILE 184
PC10 Roadway Surface Type VPAVETYP 185
PC11 Roadway Surface Condition VSURCOND 186
PC12 Traffic Control Device VTRAFCON 187
PC13 Traffic Control Device Functioning VTCONT_F 188
PC17 Pre-Event Movement
(Prior To Recognition of Critical Event) P_CRASH1 189
PC19 Critical Event- Precrash P_CRASH2 190
PC20 Attempted Avoidance Maneuver P_CRASH3 192
PC21 Pre-Impact Stability PCRASH4 193
PC22 Pre-Impact Location PCRASH5 194
PC23 Crash Type ACC_TYPE 195
Axle (discontinued) AXLES 198
Carburetion (discontinued) CARBUR 199
Crash Avoidance Maneuver (discontinued) AVOID 200
Cubic Inch Displacement (discontinued) DISPLACE 201
Curb Weight (discontinued) VIN_WGT 202
Driver Training (discontinued) DR_TRAIN 203
Driver’s Vision Obscured by (discontinued) D_VISION1 204
Driver’s Vision Obscured by (discontinued) D_VISION2 204
Driver’s Vision Obscured by (discontinued) D_VISION3 204
Fuel Code (discontinued) FUELCODE 205
Hazardous Cargo (discontinued) HAZ_CARG 206
Most Damaged Area (discontinued) IMPACT2 207
Motorcycle Dry Weight (discontinued) MCYCL_WT 208
Motorcycle Engine Displacement (CC)
(discontinued) MCYCL_DS 209
Motorcycle Type (discontinued) MCYCL_TY 210
Number of Cylinders (discontinued) CYLINDER 211
Number of Motorcycle Engine Cycles
(discontinued) MCYCL_CY 212
Number of Wheels/Drive Wheels
(discontinued) WHLDRWHL 213
Original Tire Size (discontinued) TIRE_SZE 214
Sequence of Events (discontinued) SEQ1 215
Sequence of Events (discontinued) SEQ2 215
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List • 16
Sequence of Events (discontinued) SEQ3 215
Sequence of Events (discontinued) SEQ4 215
Sequence of Events (discontinued) SEQ5 215
Sequence of Events (discontinued) SEQ6 215
Truck Shipping Weight (discontinued) TRK_WT 217
Truck Shipping Weight Variance (discontinued) TRKWTVAR 218
Truck Ton Rating (discontinued) TON_RAT 219
Truck VIN Restraint Type (discontinued) VIN_REST 220
Truck Weight Rating (discontinued) WGTCD_TR 221
Vehicle Maneuver (discontinued) VEH_MAN 222
Vehicle Role (discontinued) IMPACTS 223
VIN Body Type (discontinued) VIN_BT 227
VIN Length (discontinued) VIN_LNGT 231
VIN Make (discontinued) VINMAKE 232
VIN Model (discontinued) VINA_MOD 233
VIN Model Year (discontinued) VINMODYR 234
VIN Truck Series (discontinued) SER_TR 235
VIN Vehicle Type (discontinued) VINTYPE 236
Wheelbase Short (discontinued) WHLBS_SH 237
Wheelbase Long (discontinued) WHLBS_LG 238
The PERSON Data File 239
P5/NM5 Age AGE 240
P6/NM6 Sex SEX 241
P7/NM7 Person Type PER_TYP 242
P8/NM8 Injury Severity INJ_SEV 243
P9 Seating Position SEAT_POS 244
P10 Restraint System/Helmet Use REST_USE 246
P11 Indication of Misuse of Restraint System/
Helmet REST_MIS 248
P12 Air Bag Deployed AIR_BAG 249
P13 Ejection EJECTION 251
P14 Ejection Path EJ_PATH 252
P15 Extrication EXTRICAT 253
P16/NM15 Police Reported Alcohol Involvement DRINKING 254
P17/NM16 Method of Alcohol Determination by Police ALC_DET 255
P18A/NM17A Alcohol Test Status ALC_STATUS 256
P18B/NM17B Alcohol Test Type ATST_TYP 257
P18C/NM17C Alcohol Test Result ALC_RES 258
P19/NM18 Police Reported Drug Involvement DRUGS 259
P20/NM19 Method of Drug Determination by Police DRUG_DET 260
P21A/NM20A Drug Test Status DSTATUS 261
P21B/NM20B Drug Test Type DRUGTST1 261
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List • 17
P21B/NM20B Drug Test Type DRUGTST2 261
P21B/NM20B Drug Test Type DRUGTST3 261
P21C/NM20C Drug Test Result DRUGRES1 262
P21C/NM20C Drug Test Result DRUGRES2 262
P21C/NM20C Drug Test Result DRUGRES3 262
P22/NM21 Transported to First Treatment Facility HOSPITAL 263
P23/NM22 Died at Scene/En Route DOA 264
P24A/NM23A Month of Death DEATH_MO 265
P24B/NM23B Day of Death DEATH_DA 265
P24C/NM23C Year of Death DEATH_YR 266
P25/NM24 Death Time DEATH_TM 267
P25A/NM24A Hour of Death DEATH_HR 267
P25B/NM24B Minute of Death DEATH_MN 268
P26/NM25 Related Factors- Person Level P_SF1 269
P26/NM25 Related Factors- Person Level P_SF2 269
P26/NM25 Related Factors- Person Level P_SF3 269
P100A Lag Hours LAG_HRS 274
P100B Lag Minutes LAG_MINS 274
SP2 Fatal Injury at Work WORK_INJ 275
SP3A Race RACE 276
SP3B Hispanic Origin HISPANIC 277
NM4 Number of Motor Vehicle Striking Non-Motorist STR_VEH 278
NM10 Non-Motorist Location at Time of Crash LOCATION 279
Automatic Restraint (discontinued) AUT_REST 281
Death Certificate Number (discontinued) CERT_NO 282
Manual Restraint (discontinued) MAN_REST 283
The PARKWORK Data File 284
C4A Number of Motor Vehicles in Transport (MVIT) PVE_FORMS 285
C8A Month of Crash PMONTH 286
C8B Day of Crash PDAY 286
C9A Hour of Crash PHOUR 287
C9B Minute of Crash PMINUTE 287
C19 First Harmful Event PHARM_EV 288
C20 Manner of Collision PMAN_COLL 291
V4 Number of Occupants PNUMOCCS 292
V5 Unit Type PTYPE 293
V6 Hit and Run PHIT_RUN 294
V7 Registration State PREG_STAT 295
V8 Registered Vehicle Owner POWNER 297
V9 Vehicle Make PMAKE 298
V10 Vehicle Model PMODEL 302
V11 Body Type PBODYTYP 303
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List • 18
V12 Vehicle Model Year PMODYEAR 306
V13 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) PVIN 307
V14 Vehicle Trailing PTRAILER 308
V15 Trailer Vehicle Identification Number PTRLR1VIN 309
V15 Trailer Vehicle Identification Number PTRLR2VIN 309
V15 Trailer Vehicle Identification Number PTRLR3VIN 309
V17 Motor Carrier Identification Number PMCARR_ID 310
V17A MCID Issuing Authority PMCARR_I1 311
V17B MCID Identification Number PMCARR_I2 312
V18 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating PGVWR 313
V19 Vehicle Configuration PV_CONFIG 314
V20 Cargo Body Type PCARGTYP 315
V21A/HM1 Hazardous Material Involvement PHAZ_INV 316
V21B/HM2 Hazardous Material Placard PHAZPLAC 316
V21C/HM3 Hazardous Material Identification Number PHAZ_ID 316
V21D/HM4 Hazardous Material Class Number PHAZ_CNO 317
V21E/HM5 Release of Hazardous Material from the
Cargo Compartment PHAZ_REL 317
V22 Bus Use PBUS_USE 318
V23 Special Use PSP_USE 319
V24 Emergency Motor Vehicle Use PEM_USE 320
V26 Underride/Override PUNDERIDE 321
V29A Initial Contact Point PIMPACT1 322
V30 Extent of Damage PVEH_SEV 323
V31 Vehicle Removal PTOWED 324
V33 Most Harmful Event PM_HARM 325
V34 Related Factors – Vehicle Level PVEH_SC1 328
V34 Related Factors – Vehicle Level PVEH_SC2 328
V35 Fire Occurrence PFIRE 330
V100 Make Model Combined PMAK_MOD 331
V101 VIN Character 1 PVIN_1 332
V102 VIN Character 2 PVIN_2 333
V103 VIN Character 3 PVIN_3 334
V104 VIN Character 4 PVIN_4 335
V105 VIN Character 5 PVIN_5 336
V106 VIN Character 6 PVIN_6 337
V107 VIN Character 7 PVIN_7 338
V108 VIN Character 8 PVIN_8 339
V109 VIN Character 9 PVIN_9 340
V110 VIN Character 10 PVIN_10 341
V111 VIN Character 11 PVIN_11 342
V112 VIN Character 12 PVIN_12 343
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List • 19
V150 Fatalities in Vehicle PDEATHS 344
Axle (discontinued) AXLES 345
Carburetion (discontinued) PCARBUR 346
Crash Avoidance Maneuver (discontinued) AVOID 347
Commercial Motor Vehicle License Status
(discontinued) CDL_STAT 348
Compliance with CDL Endorsements
(discontinued) L_ENDORS 349
Compliance with License Restrictions
(discontinued) L_RESTRI 350
Cubic Inch Displacement (discontinued) PDISPLACE 351
Curb Weight (discontinued) PVIN_WGT 352
Driver Drinking (discontinued) DR_DRINK 353
Driver Height (discontinued) DR_HGT 354
Driver Presence (discontinued) DR_PRES 355
Driver Weight (discontinued) DR_WGT 356
Driver’s License State (discontinued) L_STATE 357
Driver’s Vision Obscured by (discontinued) D_VISION1 358
Driver’s Vision Obscured by (discontinued) D_VISION2 358
Driver’s Vision Obscured by (discontinued) D_VISION3 358
Driver’s ZIP Code (discontinued) DR_ZIP 359
Fuel Code (discontinued) PFUECODE 360
Hazardous Cargo (discontinued) HAZ_CARG 361
Jackknife (discontinued) J_KNIFE 362
License Compliance with Class of Vehicle
(discontinued) L_COMPL 363
Location of Rollover (discontinued) ROLINLOC 364
Month of First Crash, Suspension or Conviction
(discontinued) FIRST_MO 365
Month of Last Crash, Suspension or Conviction
(discontinued) LAST_MO 366
Most Damaged Area (discontinued) PIMPACT2 367
Motorcycle Dry Weight (discontinued) PMCYCL_WT 368
Motorcycle Engine Displacement (CC)
(discontinued) PMCYCL_DS 369
Non-CDL License Status (discontinued) L_STATUS 370
Non-CDL License Type (discontinued) L_TYPE 370
Number of Cylinders (discontinued) PCYLINDER 371
Number of Motorcycle Engine Cycles
(discontinued) PMCYCL_CY 372
Number of Wheels/Drive Wheels
(discontinued) PWHLDRWHL 373
Original Tire Size (discontinued) PTIRE_SZE 374
Previous DWI Convictions (discontinued) PREV_DWI 375
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List • 20
Previous Other Harmful Moving Violation
Convictions (discontinued) PREV_OTH 376
Previous Recorded Crashes (discontinued) PREV_ACC 377
Previous Recorded Suspensions and
Revocations (discontinued) PREV_SUS 378
Previous Speeding Convictions (discontinued) PREV_SPD 379
Rollover (discontinued) ROLLOVER 383
Sequence of Events (discontinued) SEQ1 384
Sequence of Events (discontinued) SEQ2 384
Sequence of Events (discontinued) SEQ3 384
Sequence of Events (discontinued) SEQ4 384
Sequence of Events (discontinued) SEQ5 384
Sequence of Events (discontinued) SEQ6 384
Speeding Related (discontinued) SPEEDREL 385
Travel Speed (discontinued) TRAV_SP 386
Truck Ton Rating (discontinued) PTON_RAT 387
Truck Shipping Weight (discontinued) PTRK_WT 388
Truck Shipping Weight Variance
(discontinued) PTRKWTVAR 389
Truck VIN Restraint Type (discontinued) PVIN_REST 390
Truck Weight Rating (discontinued) PWGTCD_TR 391
Vehicle Maneuver (discontinued) VEH_MAN 392
Vehicle Role (discontinued) IMPACTS 393
VIN Body Type (discontinued) PVIN_BT 394
VIN Length (discontinued) PVIN_LNGT 398
VIN Make (discontinued) PVINMAKE 399
VIN Model (discontinued) PVINA_MOD 400
VIN Model Year (discontinued) PVINMODYR 401
VIN Truck Series (discontinued) PSER_TR 402
VIN Vehicle Type (discontinued) PVINTYPE 403
Wheelbase Long (discontinued) PWHLBS_LG 407
Wheelbase Short (discontinued) PWHLBS_SH 408
Year of First Crash, Suspension or Conviction
(discontinued) FIRST_YR 409
Year of Last Crash, Suspension or Conviction
(discontinued) LAST_YR 410
The PBTYPE Data File 411
P5/NM5 Age PBAGE 412
P6/NM6 Sex PBSEX 413
P7/NM7 Person Type PBPTYPE 414
NM9-PB27 Marked Crosswalk Present PBCWALK 415
NM9-PB28 Sidewalk Present PBSWALK 416
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List • 21
NM9-PB29 School Zone PBSZONE 417
NM9-PB30 Crash Type – Pedestrian PEDCTYPE 418
NM9-PB30B Crash Type – Bicycle BIKECTYPE 420
NM9-PB31 Crash Location – Pedestrian PEDLOC 422
NM9-PB31B Crash Location – Bicycle BIKELOC 423
NM9-PB32 Pedestrian Position PEDPOS 424
NM9-PB32B Bicyclist Position BIKEPOS 425
NM9-PB33 Pedestrian Initial Direction of Travel PEDDIR 426
NM9-PB33B Bicyclist Initial Direction of Travel BIKEDIR 427
NM9-PB34 Motorist Initial Direction of Travel MOTDIR 428
NM9-PB35 Motorist Maneuver MOTMAN 429
NM9-PB36 Intersection Leg PEDLEG 430
NM9-PB37 Pedestrian Scenario PEDSNR 431
NM9-PB38 Crash Group – Pedestrian PEDCGP 433
NM9-PB38B Crash Group – Bicycle BIKECGP 434
The CEVENT Data File 435
C18 Vehicle Number (This Vehicle) VNUMBER1 436
C18 Area of Impact (This Vehicle) AOI1 437
V31 Sequence of Events SOE 438
C18 Vehicle Number (Other Vehicle) VNUMBER2 440
C18 Area of Impact (Other Vehicle) AOI2 441
The VEVENT Data File 442
C18 Vehicle Number (This Vehicle) VNUMBER1 443
C18 Area of Impact (This Vehicle) AOI1 444
V31 Sequence of Events SOE 445
C18 Vehicle Number (Other Vehicle) VNUMBER2 447
C18 Area of Impact (Other Vehicle) AOI2 448
The VSOE Data File 449
C18 Area of Impact Associated with the Event AOI 450
V31 Sequence of Events SOE 451
The DAMAGE Data File 453
V28B Damaged Areas MDAREAS 454
The DISTRACT Data File 455
PC16 Driver Distracted By MDRDSTRD 456
The DRIMPAIR Data File 457
D23 Condition (Impairment) at Time of Crash-
Driver DRIMPAIR 458
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List
FARS Analytical User’s Manual FARS Data Element List • 22
The FACTOR Data File 459
PC4 Contributing Circumstances, Motor Vehicle MFACTOR 460
The MANEUVER Data File 461
PC15 Driver Maneuvered to Avoid MDRMANAV 462
The VIOLATN Data File 463
D21 Violations Charged MVIOLATN 464
The VISION Data File 467
PC14 Driver’s Vision Obscured by MVISOBSC 468
The NMCRASH Data File 469
NM12 Non-Motorist Contributing Circumstances MTM_CRSH 470
The NMIMPAIR Data File 471
NM14 Condition (Impairment) at Time of Crash-
Non-Motorist NMIMPAIR 472
The NMPRIOR Data File 473
NM11 Non-Motorist Action/Circumstances MPR_ACT 474
The SAFETYEQ Data File 475
NM13 Non-Motorist Safety Equipment Use MSAFEQMT 476
The VINDECODE Data File 477
See Appendix F: Changes to the VIN Decoded Data Elements 587
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes • 23
Data Element Definitions and Codes
This section represents the majority of the manual. It provides detailed information on the data
elements, including definitions, SAS names, attribute codes and attribute labels. Over the years,
changes have been made to the data collected. Some data elements have been dropped, new
ones added, and coding of individual data elements has changed. Coding changes and the
years for which individual attributes are available are shown for each data element. The
FARS/CRSS Coding and Validation Manual contains a detailed description of each data
element including coding instructions and attribute definitions. The Coding Manual is published
for each year of data collection. Years 2001 to current are available at:
NCSA Publications- FARS/NASS GES/CRSS Manuals and Documentation.
The data elements are listed here under the primary data file in which the data are stored.
Some data elements are provided in more than one data file to facilitate analyses analyses but
they are not repeated. For example, Month of Crash (MONTH) is a crash-level data element
but for convenience it is also provided in the Vehicle, Parkwork and Person files.
All data elements are numeric except the following, which are character:
• C13 Trafficway Identifier (TWAY_ID, TWAY_ID2) [30]
• C27 Rail Grade Crossing Identifier (RAIL) [7]
• V13 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN, PVIN) [12]
• V16 & V16B Motor Carrier ID (MCARR_ID) [11], (MCARR_I2) [9]
• V101-V112 VIN Characters 1-12 (VIN_1, VIN_2, VIN_3, VIN_4, VIN_5, VIN_6, VIN_7,
VIN_8, VIN_9, VIN_10, VIN_11, VIN_12, PVIN_1, PVIN_2, PVIN_3, PVIN_4, PVIN_5,
PVIN_6, PVIN_7, PVIN_8, PVIN_9, PVIN_10, PVIN_11, PVIN_12) [1]
• V200-V280 VIN decoded data elements in the Vindecode data file [255]
• NM9-PB37 Pedestrian Scenario (PEDSNR) [10]
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes • 24
All of the data files contain the following two (2) crash-level data elements:
Key Data Elements
C1/V1/D1/PC1/P1/NM1 State Number
Definition: This data element identifies the state in which the crash occurred. The codes are
from the General Services Administration’s (GSA) publication of worldwide Geographic Location
Codes (GLC).
Additional Information: GSA state data elements except for 43, Puerto Rico. The State in
which the vehicle is registered, REG_STAT, is found in the Vehicle data file; the coding is the
same.
SAS Name: STATE
Attribute Codes
1975-Later
1 Alabama 31 Nebraska
2 Alaska 32 Nevada
4 Arizona 33 New Hampshire
5 Arkansas 34 New Jersey
6 California 35 New Mexico
8 Colorado 36 New York
9 Connecticut 37 North Carolina
10 Delaware 38 North Dakota
11 District of Columbia 39 Ohio
12 Florida 40 Oklahoma
13 Georgia 41 Oregon
15 Hawaii 42 Pennsylvania
16 Idaho 43 Puerto Rico
17 Illinois 44 Rhode Island
18 Indiana 45 South Carolina
19 Iowa 46 South Dakota
20 Kansas 47 Tennessee
21 Kentucky 48 Texas
22 Louisiana 49 Utah
23 Maine 50 Vermont
24 Maryland 52 Virgin Islands (since 2004)
25 Massachusetts 51 Virginia
26 Michigan 53 Washington
27 Minnesota 54 West Virginia
28 Mississippi 55 Wisconsin
29 Missouri 56 Wyoming
30 Montana
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes • 25
C2/V2/D2/PC2/P2/NM2 Consecutive Number
Definition: This data element is the unique case number assigned to each crash. It appears
on each data file and is used to merge information from the data files together.
Additional Information: This data element is a combination of the GSA State code and an
assigned consecutive number. It is assigned by the data entry system to each crash and is the
unique identifier for the crash within the year. It is used as the key, when any two of these files
from the same year are merged.
This data element is stored as a numeric data element of six characters; the first two characters
are the State code, and the next four characters are case number, with leading zeros if
necessary.
SAS Name: ST_CASE
Attribute Codes
1975-Later
xxxxxx Two Characters for State Code followed by Four Characters for
Case Number
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes • 26
All of the vehicle level data files contain the preceding accident level data elements as well as
VEH_NO:
V3/D3/PC3/P3/NM4 Vehicle Number
Definition: This data element is the consecutive number assigned to each vehicle in the case.
This data element appears on each vehicle level data file and is used in conjunction with the
ST_CASE data element to merge information from vehicle level data files.
Additional Information: All vehicles will have a positive integer value. The value 0 is only used
for non-motorists (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.) in the Person File. There are no corresponding
Vehicle records for non-motorists. ST_CASE and VEH_NO may be used to merge the
complete Person File to the Accident File, but including the Vehicle File in the merge will
eliminate non-motorists from the merged data.
Non-Occupants have VEH_NO = 0, in this case see STR_VEH (N_MOT_NO prior to 2011)
under Non-Motorist Striking Vehicle Number in the Person data file.
SAS Name: VEH_NO
Attribute Codes
1975- 2009-
2008 Later
0-99 0-999 Assigned Number of Motor Vehicle
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes • 27
All of the person level data files contain the preceding accident level and vehicle level data
elements as well as PER_NO:
P4/NM3 Person Number
Definition: This data element is the consecutive number assigned to each person in the case
(i.e., each occupant, pedestrian, or non-motorists involved in the crash). This data element
appears on each person level data file and is used in conjunction with the ST_CASE data
element (and sometimes the VEH_NO data element) to merge information from person level
data files.
Additional Information: Each occupant of the vehicle is numbered and each non-occupant is
numbered, in the case of a non-occupant the vehicle number is zero. The numbers for
occupants are consecutive, for each vehicle, beginning with 1. Numbers are never skipped.
Drivers do not have to be coded 1. Non-Occupants are identified by vehicle number 0 and are
numbered consecutively starting with 1 for each non-motorist. To get drivers see data element
PER_TYP, under Person Type.
PER_NO can be used in merges, e.g., when merging the FARS person data file with the
multiple cause of death file.
SAS Name: PER_NO
Attribute Codes
1975- 2009-
2008 Later
1-99 1-999 Assigned Person Number
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes • 28
The CEVENT and VEVENT data files contain the preceding crash level data elements as well
as EVENTNUM:
C18 Event Number
Definition: This data element is the consecutive number assigned to each harmful and non-
harmful event in a crash, in chronological order.
Additional Information: Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element
Number was C17.
SAS Name: EVENTNUM
Attribute Codes
2010-Later
1-999 Event Number
The VEVENT and VSOE data files contain the preceding crash level data elements and
VEH_NO as well as VEVENTNUM:
C18 Vehicle Event Number
Definition: This data element is the consecutive number assigned to each harmful and non-
harmful event for this vehicle, in chronological order.
Additional Information: Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element
Number was C17.
SAS Name: VEVENTNUM
Attribute Codes
2010-Later
1-999 Vehicle Event Number
FARS Analytical User’s Manual The ACCIDENT Data File
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes • 29
The ACCIDENT Data File
The Accident data file includes crash data. It contains the data elements ST_CASE and
STATE, which are described in the beginning of the Data Element Definitions and Codes
section. The Accident data file also contains the data elements on the following pages.
ST_CASE is the unique case identifier for each record.
FARS Analytical User’s Manual The ACCIDENT Data File
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes • 30
C3 Number of Forms Submitted for Persons Not in Motor Vehicles
Definition: This data element is the number of Person Forms (Not a Motor Vehicle Occupant)
that are applicable to this case (i.e., non-occupants).
Additional Information: This represents the number of forms created for persons not in motor
vehicles. It is the number of persons in the crash where “Person Type” is in (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 or
19).
Note: Persons where “Person Type” = 3 (Occupant of a Motor Vehicle Not In-Transport) are not
included in this data element but are counted in C3A below.
SAS Name: PEDS
Attribute Codes
1991- 2011-
2010 Later
1-99 0-99 Number of Persons Not in Motor Vehicles
C3A Number of Persons Not in Motor Vehicles in Transport (MVIT)
Definition: This data element is a count of the number of non-motorists in the crash. A
non-motorist is defined as a pedestrian, a cyclist, an occupant of a motor vehicle not in-
transport, a person riding a horse, an occupant of an animal drawn conveyance, person
associated with non-motorist conveyance (e.g., baby carriage, skate board, wheelchair), or an
other non-motorist (e.g., person outside a trafficway, person in a house).
Additional Information: This data element is derived as the count of all persons in the crash
where “Person Type” is in (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 or 19).
SAS Name: PERNOTMVIT
Attribute Codes
2011-Later
0-98 Number of Persons Not in Motor Vehicles in Transport
FARS Analytical User’s Manual The ACCIDENT Data File
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes • 31
C4 Number of Vehicle Forms Submitted- ALL
Definition: This data element is the number of contact motor vehicles that the officer reported
on the PAR as a unit involved in the crash.
Additional Information: This number represents all of the vehicles in the crash. This includes
the vehicles in-transport which are in the Vehicle data file and the vehicles not in-transport
which are in the Parkwork data file (previously Vehnit). This data element only appears in the
Accident data file. Note: The Parkwork data file replaced the Vehnit data file in 2010. The
Vehnit data file does not exist prior to 2005.
SAS Name: VE_TOTAL
Attribute Codes
2005- 2009-
2008 Later
1-99 1-999 Number of Vehicles in Crash
FARS Analytical User’s Manual The ACCIDENT Data File
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes • 32
C4A Number of Motor Vehicles in Transport (MVIT)
Definition: This data element is a count of the number of vehicles in-transport involved in the
crash. Legally parked vehicles are not included.
Additional Information: This data element is derived as the count of all vehicles in the crash
where “Unit Type” = 1. It is the number of records in the Vehicle data file.
It is unlikely that the number of vehicles involved in the crash is greater than the Number of
Vehicle Forms plus two.
1975-1981: In the event of a hit-and-run crash, if the vehicle information was not known, then no
vehicle form was filled out. Likewise, if no information was known on the person level, usually
the driver of the unknown vehicle, then a Person Level form was not filled out. The result is that
the number of unknowns is much smaller for this time period than 1982 and later.
Example: From 1975 to 1980, there were 30 to 40 drivers coded with unknown sex,
approximately 0.05 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes. In 1981 the number of
drivers with unknown sex rose to over 300, approximately 0.5 percent of all drivers involved in
fatal crashes.
1982-Later: In the case of a hit-and-run crash, a Vehicle-Driver form and a Person Level form
for the driver are filled out. When the information about the vehicle-driver or person is not
known -- which is often the case with hit-and-runs -- the values are coded as unknown.
Example: Between 1982 and 1994, the number of drivers coded with unknown sex fluctuated
between 700 and 1,000, approximately 1.5 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes.
Reviewing the 768 persons in the 1994 Annual Report file, all were drivers and 90 percent of
them were involved in hit-and-run crashes.
This data element also appears in the Vehicle and Person data files and in the Parkwork data
file as PVE_FORMS.
SAS Name: VE_FORMS
Attribute Codes
1976- 1982- 2009-
1981 2008 Later
0-99 1-99 1-999 Number of Vehicle Forms
FARS Analytical User’s Manual The ACCIDENT Data File
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes • 33
C4B Number of Parked/Working Vehicles
Definition: This data element is a count of the number of parked and working vehicles involved
in the crash.
Additional Information: This data element is calculated as the count of all vehicles in the
crash where “Unit Type” is in (2, 3 or 4). It is the number of records in the Parkwork data file.
SAS Name: PVH_INVL
Attribute Codes
2011-Later
0-999 Number of Parked/Working Vehicles in the Crash
FARS Analytical User’s Manual The ACCIDENT Data File
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes • 34
C5 Number of Forms Submitted for Persons in Motor Vehicles
Definition: This data element is a count of the number of Person Level (Motor Vehicle
Occupant) Forms that are applicable to this case (i.e., occupants).
Additional Information: This represents the number of forms created for persons in motor
vehicles. It is the count of all persons where “Person Type” is in (1, 2, 3 or 9).
Before 2003, the policy was not to submit a Person Level form for occupants of van-based
buses. Since 2003, a person level form has been submitted for all occupants of van-based
vehicles, including van-based buses.
1975-1981: In the event of a hit-and-run crash, if the vehicle information was not known, then no
vehicle form was filled out. Likewise, if no information was known on the person level, usually
the driver of the unknown vehicle, then a Person Level form was not filled out. The result is that
the number of unknowns is much smaller for this time period than 1982 and later.
Example: From 1975 to 1980, there were 30 to 40 drivers coded with unknown sex,
approximately 0.05 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes. In 1981 the number of
drivers with unknown sex rose to over 300, approximately 0.5 percent of all drivers involved in
fatal crashes.
1982-Later: In the case of a hit-and-run crash, a Vehicle-Driver form and a Person Level form
for the driver are filled out. When the information about the vehicle-driver or person is not
known -- which is often the case with hit-and-runs -- the values are coded as unknown.
Example: Between 1982 and 1994, the number of drivers coded with unknown sex fluctuated
between 700 and 1,000, approximately 1.5 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes.
Reviewing the 768 persons in the 1994 Annual Report file, all were drivers and 90 percent of
them were involved in hit-and-run crashes.
SAS Name: PERSONS
Attribute Codes
1975- 2009-
2008 Later
0-99 0-999 Number of Person Forms
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C5A Number of Persons in Motor Vehicles in Transport (MVIT)
Definition: This data element is a count of the number of motorists in the crash. A motorist is a
driver, passenger or unknown occupant type of a motor vehicle in-transport.
Additional Information: This data element is derived as the count of all persons in the crash
where “Person Type” is in (1, 2 or 9).
Note: Persons where “Person Type” = 3 (Occupant of a Motor Vehicle Not In-Transport) are not
included in this data element but are counted in C5 above.
SAS Name: PERMVIT
Attribute Codes
2011-Later
0-999 Number of Persons in Motor Vehicles In-Transport
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C6 County
Definition: This data element records the location of the unstabilized event with regard to the
County. The codes are from the General Services Administration’s (GSA) publication of
worldwide Geographic Location Codes (GLC).
Additional Information: GSA geographical codes are somewhat stable. Occasionally one
code will be divided into two codes.
This data element also appears in the Person data file.
SAS Name: COUNTY
Attribute Codes
1975- 2010-
2009 Later
0 0 Not Applicable
1-996 1-996 Use GSA Geographical Codes
997 997 Other
-- 998 Not Reported
999 999 Unknown
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C7 City
Definition: This data element records the location of the unstabilized event with regard to the
City. The codes are from the General Services Administration’s (GSA) publication of worldwide
Geographic Location Codes (GLC).
Additional Information: GSA geographical codes are somewhat stable. Occasionally one
code will be divided into two codes.
SAS Name: CITY
Attribute Codes
1975- 2010-
2009 Later
0 0 Not Applicable
1-9996 1-9996 GSA Geographical Codes
9997 9997 Other
-- 9898 Not Reported
9999 9999 Unknown
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C8 Crash Date
C8A Month of Crash
Definition: This data element records the month in which the crash occurred.
Additional Information: This data element also appears in the Vehicle and Person data files
and in the Parkwork data file as PMONTH.
SAS Name: MONTH
Attribute Codes
1975- 2009-
2008 Later
1 1 January
2 2 February
3 3 March
4 4 April
5 5 May
6 6 June
7 7 July
8 8 August
9 9 September
10 10 October
11 11 November
12 12 December
99 -- Unknown
C8B Day of Crash
Definition: This data element records the day of the month on which the crash occurred.
Additional Information: This data element also appears in the Vehicle and Person data files
and in the Parkwork data file as PDAY.
SAS Name: DAY
Attribute Codes
1975- 2010-
2009 Later
1-31 1-31 Day of the Month of the Crash
99 -- Unknown
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C8C Day of Week
Definition: This data element records the day of the week on which the crash occurred.
Additional Information: This data element has been calculated based on the year, month, and
day.
SAS Name: DAY_WEEK
Attribute Codes
1975- 2010-
2009 Later
1 1 Sunday
2 2 Monday
3 3 Tuesday
4 4 Wednesday
5 5 Thursday
6 6 Friday
7 7 Saturday
9 -- Unknown
C8D Year of Crash
Definition: This data element records the year in which the crash occurred.
Additional Information:
SAS Name: YEAR
Attribute Codes
1975- 1998-
1997 Later
xx xxxx Year of the Crash
More Information on Date of Crash
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C9 Crash Time
C9A Hour of Crash
Definition: This data element records the hour at which the crash occurred.
Additional Information: All time is 24-hour military time.
The time of the crash/arrival of the emergency medical service can occur in a different day than
the arrival of emergency medical service at the crash scene/hospital.
If you need to separate day and night, see the data element LGT_COND under the heading
Light Condition.
This data element also appears in the Vehicle and Person data files and in the Parkwork data
file as PHOUR.
SAS Name: HOUR
1975- 2010-
2008 2009 Later
0-24 0-23 0-23 Hour
-- 88 -- Not Applicable or Not Notified
99 99 99 Unknown
C9B Minute of Crash
Definition: This data element records the minutes after the hour at which the crash occurred.
Additional Information: All time is 24-hour military time.
The time of the crash/arrival of the emergency medical service can occur in a different day than
the arrival of emergency medical service at the crash scene/hospital.
This data element also appears in the Vehicle and Person data files and in the Parkwork data
file as PMINUTE.
SAS Name: MINUTE
1975- 2010-
2008 2009 Later
0-59 0-59 0-59 Minute
-- 88 -- Not Applicable or Not Notified
99 99 99 Unknown
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C10 Trafficway Identifier
Definition: This data element records the trafficway on which the crash occurred.
Additional Information: Beginning in 2004, a second trafficway identifier was added to
accommodate intersection and intersection-related crashes where the officer provides the
identifier for the second trafficway. Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data
Element Number was C13.
SAS Name: TWAY_ID 1982-Later
TWAY_ID2 2004-Later
Attribute Codes
1982-1997
xxxxxxxxxx Actual Posted Number, Assigned Number,
or Common Name (10 characters)
999999999 Unknown
1998-2011
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Actual Posted Number, Assigned Number,
or Common Name (20 characters)
9999999999999999999 Unknown
2012-Later
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Actual Posted Number, Assigned Number,
or Common Name (30 characters)
999999999999999999999999999999 Unknown
More Information on Trafficway Identifier
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C11 Route Signing
Definition: This data element identifies the route signing of the trafficway on which the crash
occurred.
Additional Information: Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element
Number was C12.
SAS Name: CL_TWAY 1975-1986
ROUTE 1987-Later
Attribute Codes
1975- 1982-
1980 1986
1 1 Interstate
2 -- Other Limited Access
3 2 Other U.S. Route
4 3 Other State Route
5 -- Other Major Artery
6 4 County Road
7 5 Local Street
8 8 Other Road
9 9 Unknown
1981
Data were not available for this data element in 1981.
1987-Later
1 Interstate
2 U.S. Highway
3 State Highway
4 County Road
5 Local Street – Township
6 Local Street – Municipality
7 Local Street – Frontage Road (Since 1994)
8 Other
9 Unknown
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C12A Land Use
Definition: This data element identifies the classification of the segment of the trafficway on
which the crash occurred based on FHWA-approved adjusted Census boundaries of small
urban and urbanized areas.
Additional Information: From 1975 to 1986, there was a similar Land Use (LAND_USE) data
element. From 1987 to 2014, urban and rural classifications can be obtained from the data
element Roadway Function Class.
SAS Name: RUR_URB
Attribute Codes
2015-Later
1 Rural
2 Urban
6 Trafficway Not in State Inventory
8 Not Reported
9 Unknown
More Information on Land Use
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FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes • 44
C12B Functional System
Definition: This data element identifies the functional classification of the segment of the
trafficway on which the crash occurred.
Additional Information:
SAS Name: FUNC_SYS
Attribute Codes
2015-Later
1 Interstate
2 Principal Arterial – Other Freeways and Expressways
3 Principal Arterial – Other
4 Minor Arterial
5 Major Collector
6 Minor Collector
7 Local
96 Trafficway Not in State Inventory
98 Not Reported
99 Unknown
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C13 Ownership
Definition: This data element identifies the entity that has legal ownership of the segment of the
trafficway on which the crash occurred.
Additional Information:
SAS Name: RD_OWNER
Attribute Codes
2015-Later
1 State Highway Agency
2 County Highway Agency
3 Town or Township Highway Agency
4 City or Municipal Highway Agency
11 State Park, Forest or Reservation Agency
12 Local Park, Forest or Reservation Agency
21 Other State Agency
25 Other Local Agency
26 Private (other than Railroad)
27 Railroad
31 State Toll Road
32 Local Toll Authority
40 Other Public Instrumentality (i.e., Airport)
50 Indian Tribe Nation
60 Other Federal Agency
62 Bureau of Indian Affairs
63 Bureau of Fish and Wildlife
64 U.S. Forest Service
66 National Park Service
67 Tennessee Valley Authority
68 Bureau of Land Management
69 Bureau of Reclamation
70 Corps of Engineers
72 Air Force
74 Navy/Marines
80 Army
96 Trafficway Not in State Inventory
98 Not Reported
99 Unknown
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C14 National Highway System
Definition: This data element identifies whether this crash occurred on a trafficway that is part
of the National Highway System.
Additional Information: Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element
Number was C10.
SAS Name: NHS
Attribute Codes
1994-Later
0 This Section is Not on the National Highway System
1 This Section is on the National Highway System
9 Unknown
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C15 Special Jurisdiction
Definition: This data element identifies if the location on the trafficway where the crash
occurred qualifies as a Special Jurisdiction even though it may be patrolled by state, county or
local police (e.g., all State highways running through Indian reservations are under the
jurisdiction of the Indian reservation).
Additional Information: Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element
Number was C16.
SAS Name: SP_JUR
Attribute Codes
1975-Later
0 No Special Jurisdiction (Includes National Forests Since 2008)
1 National Park Service
2 Military
3 Indian Reservation
4 College/University Campus
5 Other Federal Properties (Since 1977)
8 Other (Since 1976)
9 Unknown
More Information on Indian Reservation
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FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes • 48
C16 Milepoint
Definition: This data element records the milepoint nearest to the location where the crash
occurred.
Additional Information: Five digits are always coded.
EXAMPLES:
Milepoint Code
10 00100
39.89 00399
404 04040
73.1 00731
In 2011, this data element changed from alphanumeric (character) to numeric. Prior to 2015,
this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element Number was C14.
SAS Name: MILEPT
Attribute Codes
1982- 2010-
2009 Later
00000 00000 None
xxxxx xxxxx Actual to Nearest Tenth Mile
(Assume decimal, e.g., 12345 = 1234.5)
-- 99998 Not Reported
99999 99999 Unknown
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C17 Global Position
C17A Latitude
Definition: This element identifies the location of the crash using Global Position coordinates.
This is the position of latitude.
Additional Information: Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element
Number was C15A.
SAS Name: LATITUDE
Attribute Codes
1999-2009
DDMMSSSS (DD MM SS.SS – Degrees/Minutes/Seconds)
17-71 DD- Actual Degrees
88 Not Available (If State Exempt)
99 Unknown
0-59 MM- Actual Minutes
88 Not Available (If State Exempt)
99 Unknown
0.0-59.99 SS.SS- Actual Seconds
88.88 Not Available (If State Exempt)
99.99 Unknown
2010-Later
DDDDDD (DD.DDDD – Decimal Degrees)
DD.DDDD Actual Degrees
77.7777 Not Reported
88.8888 Not Available (If State Exempt)
99.9999 Unknown
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C17B Longitude
Definition: This element identifies the location of the crash using Global Position coordinates.
This is the position of longitude.
Additional Information: Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element
Number was C15B.
SAS Name: LONGITUD
Attribute Codes
DDDMMSSSS (DDD MM SS.SS – Degrees/Minutes/Seconds)
1999-2009
DDDMMSSSS (DDD MM SS.SS – Degrees/Minutes/Seconds)
65-178 DDD- Actual Degrees
-- Not Reported
888 Not Available (If State Exempt)
999 Unknown
0-59 MM- Actual Minutes
-- Not Reported
88 Not Available (If State Exempt)
99 Unknown
0.0-59.99 SS.SS- Actual Seconds
-- Not Reported
88.88 Not Available (If State Exempt)
99.99 Unknown
2010-Later
DDDDDDD (DDD.DDDD – Decimal Degrees)
DDD.DDDD Actual Degrees
777.7777 Not Reported
888.8888 Not Available (If State Exempt)
999.9999 Unknown
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C19 First Harmful Event
Definition: This data element describes the first injury or damage producing event of the crash.
Additional Information: “First Harmful Event” applies to the crash. “Most Harmful Event”
(M_HARM) applies to the vehicle. Harmful events are judgment calls of the FARS analysts
based on the data within the PAR.
From 2004 to 2009, the data elements “First Harmful Event,” “Most Harmful Event,” and the
“Sequence of Events” have the same attributes. The harmful event attributes were modified to
be consistent with the sequence of events data elements. Starting in 2009, these data elements
still have the same attributes except non-harmful event attributes were added to the Sequence
of Events data element.
Starting in 2010, this data element is derived from the “Sequence of Events” data element as the
first value that is not between codes 60 and 71 (non-harmful events). Prior to 2015, this data
element’s Locator Code or Data Element Number was C18.
This data element also appears in the Vehicle and Person data files and in the Parkwork data
file as PHARM_EV.
SAS Name: HARM_EV
Attribute Codes
1975-1981
1 Overturn
2 Fire/Explosion
3 Immersion
4 Gas Inhalation
5 Fell from Vehicle
6 Injured in Vehicle
7 Other Non-Collision
8 Pedestrian
9 Pedalcycle
10 Railway Train
11 Animal
12 Motor Vehicle in Transport
13 Motor Vehicle in Transport in Other Roadway
14 Parked Motor Vehicle
15 Other Type Non-Motorist
16 Other Object
17 Bridge or Overpass (1975-1978)
18 Building
19 Culvert
20 Curb or Wall
21 Divider
22 Embankment
23 Fence
24 Guard Rail
25 Light Support
26 Sign Post
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C19 First Harmful Event (continued)
Attribute Codes
1975-1981
27 Tree/Shrubbery
28 Utility Pole
29 Other Pole/Support
30 Impact Attenuator
31 Other Fixed Object
32 Bridge or Overpass [Passing Under] (1979-1981)
33 Bridge or Overpass [Passing Over] (1979-1981)
99 Unknown
1982- 2004- 2010- 2016-
2003 2009 2015 Later
1 1 1 1 Rollover/Overturn
2 2 2 2 Fire/Explosion
3 3 3 3 Immersion (or Partial Immersion, Since 2012)
4 4 4 4 Gas Inhalation
5 5 5 5 Fell/Jumped from Vehicle
6 6 -- -- Injured in Vehicle
-- -- 6 6 Injured in Vehicle (Non-Collision)
7 7 7 7 Other Non-Collision
8 8 8 8 Pedestrian
9 9 -- -- Pedalcycle
-- -- 9 9 Pedalcyclist
10 10 -- -- Railway Train
-- -- 10 10 Railway Vehicle
11 11 -- -- Animal
-- -- 11 11 Live Animal
12 12 -- -- Motor Vehicle in Transport on Same Roadway
-- -- 12 12 Motor Vehicle in Transport
13 13 -- -- Motor Vehicle in Transport on Other Roadway
14 14 14 14 Parked Motor Vehicle (Not In Transport)
15 -- -- -- Other Type Non-Motorist
-- 15 15 15 Non-Motorist on Personal Conveyance
16 16 16 16 Thrown or Falling Object
17 17 17 17 Boulder
18 18 18 18 Other Object (Not Fixed)
19 19 19 19 Building
20 20 20 20 Impact Attenuator/Crash Cushion
21 21 -- -- Bridge Pier or Abutment
-- -- 21 21 Bridge Pier or Support
22 22 -- -- Bridge Parapet End
23 23 -- -- Bridge Rail
-- -- 23 23 Bridge Rail (Includes Parapet)
24 24 24 24 Guardrail Face
25 25 25 25 Concrete Traffic Barrier
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C19 First Harmful Event (continued)
Attribute Codes
1982- 2004- 2010- 2016-
2003 2009 2015 Later
26 26 26 26 Other Traffic Barrier
27 27 -- -- Highway/Traffic Sign Post
28 28 -- -- Overhead Sign Support/Sign
29 29 -- -- Luminary/Light Support
30 30 -- -- Utility Pole
-- -- 30 30 Utility Pole/Light Support
31 31 31 -- Other Post, Other Pole, or Other Supports
-- -- -- 31 Post, Pole, or Other Supports
32 32 32 32 Culvert
33 33 33 33 Curb
34 34 34 34 Ditch
35 35 -- -- Embankment – Earth
-- -- 35 35 Embankment
36 36 -- -- Embankment – Rock, Stone, or Concrete
37 37 -- -- Embankment – Material Type Unknown
38 38 38 38 Fence
39 39 39 39 Wall
40 40 40 40 Fire Hydrant
41 41 41 41 Shrubbery
42 42 42 42 Tree (Standing Only)
43 43 43 43 Other Fixed Object
44 -- -- -- Pavement Surface Irregularity (1993 Only)
-- 44 -- -- Pavement Surface Irregularity
-- -- 44 44 Pavement Surface Irregularity (Ruts, Potholes, Grates, etc.)
45 -- -- -- Transport Device Used as Equipment (1993-2003)
-- 45 -- -- Working Construction, Maintenance or Utility Vehicles
-- -- 45 45 Working Motor Vehicle
46 46 46 46 Traffic Signal Support
47 47 -- -- Vehicle Occupant Struck or Run Over by Own Vehicle
(1997-2009)
48 48 -- -- Collision With Snow Bank (1997-2009)
-- -- 48 48 Snow Bank
49 49 49 49 Ridden Animal or Animal-Drawn Conveyance (Since 1998)
50 50 50 50 Bridge Overhead Structure
-- 51 -- -- Jackknife
-- -- 51 51 Jackknife (Harmful to This Vehicle)
-- 52 52 52 Guardrail End
-- 53 53 53 Mail Box
-- 54 -- -- Motor Vehicle Struck by Falling/Shifting Cargo or Anything
Set in Motion by Another Motor Vehicle in Transport
-- -- 54 54 Motor Vehicle In-Transport Strikes or is Struck by Cargo,
Persons or Objects Set-in-Motion from/by Another Motor
Vehicle In-Transport
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C19 First Harmful Event (continued)
Attribute Codes
1982- 2004- 2010- 2016-
2003 2009 2015 Later
-- 55 -- -- Other Not in-Transport Motor Vehicle (2005-2007)
-- 55 55 55 Motor Vehicle in Motion Outside the Trafficway (Since 2008)
-- 57 57 57 Cable Barrier (Since 2008)
-- -- 58 58 Ground
-- -- 59 59 Traffic Sign Support
-- -- 72 72 Cargo/Equipment Loss or Shift (Harmful to This Vehicle)
-- -- 73 -- Object Fell From Motor Vehicle In-Transport (2013-2015)
-- -- -- 73 Object That Had Fallen From Motor Vehicle In-Transport
-- -- -- 74 Road Vehicle on Rails
-- -- 98 -- Not Reported (2010 Only)
99 99 99 99 Unknown
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C20 Manner of Collision
Definition: This data element describes the orientation of two motor vehicles in-transport when
they are involved in the “First Harmful Event” of a collision crash. If the “First Harmful Event” is
not a collision between two motor vehicles in-transport it is classified as such.
Additional Information: In the original data files, from 1975 to 1977 sideswipe was coded as 5
but has since been changed to 7. These years are not consistent with the documentation of the
time. Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element Number was C19.
This data element also appears in the Vehicle and Person data files and in the Parkwork data
file as PMAN_COLL.
SAS Name: MAN_COLL
Attribute Codes
1975- 1978-
1977 2001
0 0 Not Collision With Motor Vehicle in Transport
1 1 Rear-End
2 2 Head-On
3 3 Rear-to-Rear
4 4 Angle
-- 5 Sideswipe, Same Direction
-- 6 Sideswipe, Opposite Direction
7 -- Sideswipe (May Either Be Same or Opposite Direction)
9 9 Unknown
Attribute Codes
2002- 2010-
2009 Later
0 0 Not Collision with Motor Vehicle in Transport (Not Necessarily in Transport for
2005-2009)
1 1 Front-to-Rear
2 2 Front-to-Front
3 -- Angle – Front-to-Side, Same Direction
4 -- Angle – Front-to-Side, Opposite Direction
5 -- Angle – Front-to-Side, Right Angle (Includes Broadside)
6 -- Angle – Front-to-Side/Angle-Direction Not Specified
-- 6 Angle
7 7 Sideswipe – Same Direction
8 8 Sideswipe – Opposite Direction
9 9 Rear-to-Side
10 10 Rear-to-Rear
11 11 Other (End-Swipes and Others)
-- 98 Not Reported
99 99 Unknown
More Information on Manner of Collision
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C21 Relation to Junction
C21A Relation to Junction- Within Interchange Area
Definition: This data element identifies the crash's location with respect to presence in an
interchange area. The coding of this data element is done in two sub-fields (see also C20B) and
is based on the location of the “First Harmful Event” of the crash.
Additional Information: Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element
Number was C20A.
SAS Name: RELJCT1
Attribute Codes
2010-Later
0 No
1 Yes
8 Not Reported
9 Unknown
C21B Relation to Junction- Specific Location
Definition: This data element identifies the crash's location with respect to presence in or
proximity to components typically in junction or interchange areas. The coding of this data
element is done in two sub-fields (see also C20A) and is based on the location of the “First
Harmful Event” of the crash.
Additional Information: Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element
Number was C20B.
SAS Name: REL_JUNC 1975-2009
RELJCT2 2010-Later
Attribute Codes
1975-1990
1 Non-Junction
2 Intersection
3 Intersection-Related
4 Intersection Area
5 Driveway, Alley, Access, etc.
6 Entrance/Exit Ramp (Since 1978)
7 Rail Grade Crossing (Since 1979)
8 In Crossover (Since 1980)
9 Unknown
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C21B Relation to Junction- Specific Location (continued)
Attribute Codes
1991-2009
0 None
NON-INTERCHANGE AREA
1 Non-Junction
2 Intersection
3 Intersection-Related
4 Driveway, Alley Access, etc.
5 Entrance/Exit Ramp-Related
6 Railway Grade Crossing
7 In Crossover
8 Driveway Access Related (Since 2003)
9 Unknown, Non-Interchange
INTERCHANGE AREA
10 Intersection
11 Intersection-Related
12 Driveway Access
13 Entrance/Exit Ramp-Related
14 In Crossover
15 Other Location in Interchange
19 Unknown, Interchange Area
99 Unknown
2010- 2014-
2012 2013 Later
1 1 1 Non-Junction
2 2 2 Intersection
3 3 3 Intersection Related
4 4 4 Driveway Access
5 5 5 Entrance/Exit Ramp Related
6 6 6 Railway Grade Crossing
7 7 7 Crossover Related
8 8 8 Driveway Access Related
16 16 -- Shared-Use Path or Trail
-- -- 16 Shared-Use Path Crossing
17 17 17 Acceleration/Deceleration Lane
18 18 18 Through Roadway
19 19 19 Other Location Within Interchange Area
-- 20 20 Entrance/Exit Ramp
98 98 98 Not Reported
99 99 99 Unknown
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C22 Type of Intersection
Definition: This data element identifies and allows separation of various intersection types.
Additional Information: Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element
Number was C21.
SAS Name: TYP_INT
Attribute Codes
2013-
2010 Later
1 1 Not an Intersection
2 2 Four-Way Intersection
3 3 T-Intersection
4 4 Y-Intersection
5 5 Traffic Circle
6 6 Roundabout
7 7 Five-Point, or More
-- 10 L-Intersection
8 98 Not Reported
9 99 Unknown
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C23 Relation to Trafficway
Definition: This data element identifies the location of the crash as it relates to its position
within or outside the trafficway based on the “First Harmful Event.”
Additional Information: Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element
Number was C22.
SAS Name: REL_ROAD
Attribute Codes
1975-1997
1 On Roadway
2 Shoulder
3 Median
4 Roadside
5 Outside Right-of-way
6 Off Roadway – Location Unknown
7 In Parking Lane (Since 1980)
8 Gore (Since 1982)
9 Unknown
1998- 2010-
2009 Later
1 1 On Roadway
2 2 On Shoulder
3 3 On Median
4 4 On Roadside
5 -- Outside Trafficway/Outside Right-Of-Way
-- 5 Outside Trafficway
6 6 Off Roadway – Location Unknown
7 -- In Parking Lane (1998-2006)
7 7 In Parking Lane/Zone (Since 2007)
8 8 Gore
10 10 Separator
11 -- Two-way Continuous Left-Turn Lane (Since 2001)
-- 11 Continuous Left-Turn Lane
-- 98 Not Reported
99 99 Unknown
More Information on Relation to Trafficway
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C24 Work Zone
Definition: This data element identifies a motor vehicle traffic crash in which the first harmful
event occurs within the boundaries of a work zone or on an approach to or exit from a work
zone, resulting from an activity, behavior, or control related to the movement of the traffic units
through the work zone.
Additional Information: This data element identifies a “Work Zone Accident” as defined in
ANSI D16.1, 7th Edition. If the crash qualifies as a "Work Zone Accident" then the type of work
activity is identified. Use of the codes does not imply that the crash was caused by the
construction, maintenance, or work activity.
The data element name was “Construction/Maintenance Zone” from 1975 to 2008. The data
element name has been changed to “Work Zone” since 2009. Prior to 2015, this data element’s
Locator Code or Data Element Number was C23.
SAS Name: C_M_ZONE 1975-2008
WRK_ZONE 2009-Later
Attribute Codes
1975-1979
The data element exists in the data files but has not been initialized. The data was not
collected.
1980- 1982- 2010- 2012-
1981 2009 2011 Later
0 0 0 0 None
1 1 1 1 Construction
2 2 2 2 Maintenance
3 -- -- -- Construction or Maintenance
-- 3 3 3 Utility
-- 4 4 4 Work Zone, Type Unknown
-- -- 8 -- Not Reported
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C25 Light Condition
Definition: This data element records the type/level of light that existed at the time of the crash
as indicated in the case material.
Additional Information: Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element
Number was C24.
SAS Name: LGT_COND
Attribute Codes
1975- 1980- 2010-
1979 2008 2009 Later
1 1 1 1 Daylight
2 2 -- -- Dark
-- -- 2 2 Dark – Not Lighted
3 3 3 -- Dark but Lighted
-- -- -- 3 Dark – Lighted
-- 4 4 4 Dawn
-- 5 5 5 Dusk
6 -- -- -- Dawn or Dusk
-- -- 6 6 Dark – Unknown Lighting
-- -- 7 7 Other
-- -- -- 8 Not Reported
9 9 9 9 Unknown
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C26 Atmospheric Conditions
Definition: This data element records the prevailing atmospheric conditions that existed at the
time of the crash as indicated in the case material.
Additional Information: This data element identifies up to two values. If more than two
atmospheric conditions were reported, the two conditions that most affect visibility were
selected. Accident.WEATHER1 and Accident.WEATHER2 are coded data elements, and
Accident.WEATHER is derived from these two.
Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element Number was C25.
See Appendix B: Rules for Derived Data Elements for an expanded explanation of this data
element and how it is derived.
SAS Name: WEATHER 1975-2006
WEATHER, WEATHER1, WEATHER2 2007-Later
Attribute Codes
1975- 1980- 1982- 2007- 2010- 2013-
1979 1981 2006 2009 2012 Later
1 -- -- -- 1 1 Clear
-- 1 -- -- -- -- Normal
-- -- 1 0 -- -- No Adverse Atmospheric Conditions
-- -- -- -- 0 0 No Additional Atmospheric Conditions
-- -- -- 1 -- -- Clear/Cloud (No Adverse Conditions)
2 2 -- -- 2 2 Rain
-- -- 2 2 -- -- Rain (Mist)
3 3 -- -- -- -- Sleet
-- -- 3 3 -- -- Sleet (Hail)
-- -- -- -- 3 -- Sleet, Hail (Freezing Rain or Drizzle)
-- -- -- -- -- 3 Sleet, Hail
4 4 4 -- 4 4 Snow
-- -- -- 4 -- -- Snow or Blowing Snow
-- 5 5 -- -- -- Fog
-- -- -- 5 5 5 Fog, Smog, Smoke
-- -- 6 -- -- -- Rain and Fog
-- -- -- 6 6 6 Severe Crosswinds
-- -- 7 -- -- -- Sleet and Fog
-- -- -- 7 7 7 Blowing Sand, Soil, Dirt
-- 8 8 -- -- -- Other: Smog, Smoke, Blowing Sand or
Dust
-- -- -- 8 8 8 Other
7 -- -- -- 10 10 Cloudy
-- -- -- -- 11 11 Blowing Snow
-- -- -- -- -- 12 Freezing Rain or Drizzle
-- -- -- -- 98 98 Not Reported
9 9 9 9 99 99 Unknown
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C27 School Bus Related
Definition: This data element identifies if a school bus, or motor vehicle functioning as a school
bus, is related to the crash.
Additional Information: A school bus crash is (1) a motor vehicle crash in which a school bus,
with or without a pupil on board, is involved directly as a contact vehicle, or (2) a motor vehicle
crash or an other-road-vehicle crash in which a school bus, with or without a pupil or board, is
involved indirectly as a non-contact vehicle.
Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element Number was C26.
This data element also appears on the Person data file.
SAS Name: SCH_BUS
Attribute Codes
1977- 2010- 2013-
2009 2012 Later
0 0 0 No
1 1 1 Yes
-- 8 -- Not Reported
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C28 Rail Grade Crossing Identifier
Definition: This data element identifies if the crash occurred in or near a rail grade crossing.
Additional Information: Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element
Number was C27.
SAS Name: RAIL
Attribute Codes
1979-Later
0000000 Not Applicable
xxxxxxA Six Digits Followed by One Alphabetic Valid F.R.A. Code
9999999 Unknown
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C29 Notification Time EMS
C29A Hour of Notification
Definition: This data element records the hour that emergency medical service was notified.
Additional Information: All time is 24-hour military time.
Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element Number was C28A.
SAS Name: NOT_HOUR
1975- 1999- 2009-
1998 2008 Later
0-24 0-24 0-23 Hour
0 0 -- Not Applicable or Not Notified (when NOT_MIN = 00)
-- -- 88 Not Applicable or Not Notified
99 99 99 Unknown Hour
-- 99 99 Unknown if Notified (when NOT_MIN = 98)
C29B Minute of Notification
Definition: This data element records the minutes after the hour that emergency medical
service was notified.
Additional Information: Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element
Number was C28B.
SAS Name: NOT_MIN
1975- 1999- 2009-
1998 2008 Later
0-59 0-59 0-59 Minute
0 0 -- Not Applicable or Not Notified (when NOT_HOUR = 00)
-- -- 88 Not Applicable or Not Notified
-- 98 98 Unknown if Notified
99 99 99 Unknown Minutes
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C30 Arrival Time EMS
C30A Hour of Arrival at Scene
Definition: This data element records the hour that emergency medical service arrived on the
crash scene.
Additional Information: All time is 24-hour military time.
The time of the crash/arrival of the emergency medical service can occur in a different day than
the arrival of emergency medical service at the crash scene/hospital.
Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element Number was C29A.
SAS Name: ARR_HOUR
1975- 1999- 2009-
1998 2008 Later
0-24 0-24 0-23 Hour
0 -- -- Not Notified or Officially Cancelled (when ARR_MIN = 00)
-- 0 -- Not Notified (when ARR_MIN = 00)
-- -- 88 Not Applicable or Not Notified
99 99 99 Unknown Hour
-- 99 99 Officially Cancelled (when ARR_MIN = 97)
-- 99 99 Unknown if Arrived (when ARR_MIN = 98)
C30B Minute of Arrival at Scene
Definition: This data element records the minutes after the hour that emergency medical
service arrived on the crash scene.
Additional Information: The time of the crash/arrival of the emergency medical service can
occur in a different day than the arrival of emergency medical service at the crash
scene/hospital.
Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element Number was C29B.
SAS Name: ARR_MIN
1975- 1999- 2009-
1998 2008 Later
0-59 0-59 0-59 Minute
0 -- Not Notified or Officially Cancelled
(when ARR_HOUR = 00)
-- 0 -- Not Notified (when ARR_HOUR = 00)
-- -- 88 Not Applicable or Not Notified
-- 97 97 Officially Cancelled
-- 98 98 Unknown if Arrived
99 99 99 Unknown Minutes
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C31 EMS Time at Hospital
C31A Hour of EMS Arrival at Hospital
Definition: This data element records the hour that emergency medical service arrived at the
treatment facility to which it was transporting victims of the crash.
Additional Information: All time is 24-hour military time.
The time of the crash/arrival of the emergency medical service can occur in a different day than
the arrival of emergency medical service at the crash scene/hospital.
Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element Number was C30A.
SAS Name: HOSP_HR
1987- 1999- 2009-
1998 2008 Later
0-24 0-24 0-23 Hour
0 -- -- Not Notified, Officially Cancelled or Not Transported
(when HOSP_MIN = 00)
-- 0 -- Not Notified or Not Transported (when HOSP_MIN = 00)
-- -- 88 Not Applicable or Not Notified
99 99 99 Unknown Hour
-- 99 99 Officially Cancelled (when HOSP_MIN = 97)
-- 99 99 Unknown if Transported (when HOSP_MIN = 98)
C31B Minute of EMS Arrival at Hospital
Definition: This data element records the minutes after the hour that emergency medical
service arrived at the treatment facility to which it was transporting victims of the crash.
Additional Information: The time of the crash/arrival of the emergency medical service can
occur in a different day than the arrival of emergency medical service at the crash
scene/hospital.
Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element Number was C30B.
SAS Name: HOSP_MIN
1987- 1999- 2009-
1998 2008 Later
0-59 0-59 0-59 Minute
0 -- -- Not Notified, Officially Cancelled or Not Transported
(when HOSP_HR = 00)
-- 0 -- Not Notified or Not Transported (when HOSP_HR = 00)
-- -- 88 Not Applicable or Not Notified
-- 96 96 Terminated Transport
-- 97 97 Officially Cancelled
-- 98 98 Unknown if Transported
99 99 99 Unknown Minutes
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C32 Related Factors- Crash Level
Definition: This data element records factors related to the crash expressed by the
investigating officer.
Additional Information: There are also vehicle-level related factors in the Vehicle data file
(VEH_SC1 and VEH_SC2), driver-level related factors, also in the Vehicle data file (DR_SF1,
DR_SF2, DR_SF3 and DR_SF4), and person-level related factors in the Person data file
(P_SF1, P_SF2, and P_SF3).
The FARS analyst may have used any of the three data elements to code a related factor. One
must test all three data elements to ensure that the selected related factor is included.
Note: Starting in 1982, many of the “Related Factors-Crash Level” attributes, values 01-29, are
coded as “Related Factors-Driver Level” attributes, values 61-87, in the Vehicle data file.
Prior to 2015, this data element’s Locator Code or Data Element Number was C31.
SAS Name: CF1, CF2, CF3
Attribute Codes
1975-1981
0 None
VISION OBSCURED BY:
1 Rain, Snow, Fog, Smoke, Sand, Dust (i.e., Weather Conditions)
2 Reflected Glare, Bright Sunlight, Headlights
3 Curve, Hill or Other Design Features (Including Traffic Signs, Embankments)
4 Building, Billboard, etc.
5 Trees, Crops, Vegetation
6 Moving Vehicle (Including Load)
7 Parked Vehicle
8 Other Object Not Classified Above
SWERVING DUE TO:
20 Severe Crosswind
21 Wind From Passing Truck
22 Slippery Surface
23 Avoiding Debris or Objects in Road
24 Ruts, Holes, Bumps, in Road
25 Avoiding Animals in Road
26 Avoiding Vehicle in Road
27 Avoiding Phantom Vehicle
28 Avoiding Pedestrian, Pedalcyclist, Other Non-Motorist in Road
29 Avoiding Water, Snow, Oil Slick on Road
ROADWAY FEATURES:
40 Traffic Controls Not Functioning Properly
41 Inadequate Warning of Exits, Lanes Narrowing, Traffic Controls, etc.
42 Uncontrolled Intersection or Railroad Crossing
43 Shoulder Too Low or High
44 Shoulders Too Narrow or No Shoulders for Emergency Use
47 Other Construction
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C31 Related Factors- Crash Level (continued)
Attribute Codes
1975-1981
48 No or Obscured Pavement Markings
49 Surface Underwater (Since 1979)
50 Inadequate Construction or Poor Design of Roadway, Bridge, etc. (Since 1979)
51 Surface Washed Out (Caved in, Road Slippage, Since 1979)
99 Unknown
1982- 2013-
2012 Later
0 0 None
1 1 Inadequate Warning of Exits, Lanes Narrowing, Traffic Controls etc.
2 2 Shoulder Related (Design or Condition, Since 2002)
3 3 Other Maintenance or Construction-Created Condition
4 4 No or Obscured Pavement Marking
5 5 Surface Under Water
6 6 Inadequate Construction or Poor Design of Roadway, Bridge, etc.
7 7 Surface Washed Out (Caved in, Road Slippage)
13 13 Aggressive Driving/Road Rage by Non-Contact Vehicle Driver (Since 2006)
14 14 Motor Vehicle (In Transport 1983-2004) Struck By Falling Cargo or
Something That Came Loose From or Something That Was Set in Motion By
a Vehicle
(Since 1983)
15 15 Non-Occupant Struck By Falling Cargo, or Something Came Loose From or
Something That Was Set In Motion By A Vehicle (Since 1983)
16 16 Non-Occupant Struck Vehicle (Since 1983)
17 17 Vehicle Set In Motion By Non-Driver (Since 1983)
18 18 Date of Crash and Date of EMS Notification Were Not Same Day (Since
1988)
19 19 Recent Previous Crash Scene Nearby (Since 1989)
20 20 Police-Pursuit-Involved (Since 1994)
21 21 Within Designated School Zone (Since 1995)
22 22 Speed Limit Is a Statutory Limit as Recorded or Was Determined as This
State’s “Basic Rule” (Since 1999)
23 23 Indication of a Stalled/Disabled Vehicle (Since 2008)
24 24 Unstabilized Situation Began and All Harmful Events Occurred Off of the
Roadway (Since 2012)
25 -- Toll Plaza Related (2012 Only)
-- 25 Toll Booth/Plaza Related
-- 26 Backup Due to Prior Non-Recurring Incident
-- 27 Backup Due to Prior Crash
-- 28 Backup Due to Regular Congestion
99 99 Unknown
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C101 Fatalities
Definition: This data element records the number of fatally injured persons in the crash.
Additional Information: The data element is derived by counting all persons with “Injury
Severity” of 4 in the crash. The data element “Fatalities in Vehicle” in the Vehicle data file
provides the number of deaths in a vehicle.
SAS Name: FATALS
Attribute Codes
1975-Later
1-99 Number of Fatalities that Occurred in the Crash
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Discontinued ACCIDENT Data Elements
Federal Highway (discontinued)
Definition: This data element was discontinued after 1993.
Additional Information: The data element is in the data file, but was not initialized prior to
1978, i.e., no data exists for this data element. This may be due to the extensive revisions by
the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 1977, which caused extensive modifications to
this field for all data before 1978.
SAS Name:
TA_1_CL 1975-1981
FED_AID 1982-1993
Attribute Codes
1975- 1978- 1982- 1987
1977 1981 1986 1993
-- 1 1 1 Interstate
-- 2 2 -- Other Federal Aid Primary
-- -- -- 2 Federal Aid Primary (Other Than Interstate)
-- 3 3 -- Federal Aid Secondary
-- -- -- 3 Federal Aid Urban
-- 4 4 -- Federal Aid Urban Arterials
-- -- -- 4 Federal Aid Secondary (Rural Only)
-- 5 5 -- Federal Aid Urban Collectors
-- -- -- 5 Non-Federal Aid
-- 6 6 -- Non-Federal Aid Arterials
-- 7 7 -- Non-Federal Aid Collectors
-- 8 8 -- Non-Federal Aid Local
-- 9 9 9 Unknown
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Hit and Run (discontinued)
Definition: This data element identifies whether this vehicle was a contact vehicle in the crash
that did not stop to render aid (this can include drivers who flee the scene on foot). Hit and run
is coded when a motor vehicle in-transport, or its driver, departs from the scene; vehicles not in-
transport are excluded. It does not matter whether the hit-and-run vehicle was striking or struck.
Additional Information: From 1975 to 1981 if no information was known about the Hit-and-
Run vehicle and/or driver, the vehicle form and/or driver form were not filled out and were not
counted as unknown. Starting in 1982 both a vehicle and a driver form were filled out and the
data were identified as unknown. This is why, for example, there were approximately only 20 to
40 drivers with unknown sex listed in the FARS data file from 1975 to 1981 and 700 to 1,000
drivers with unknown sex from 1982 on.
In 2009, this data element was no longer collected at the Accident level and is now collected at
the Vehicle level.
SAS Name: HIT_RUN
Attribute Codes
1975- 1977- 1982-
1976 1981 2008
0 -- -- Not Applicable
-- 0 0 No Hit-and-Run
1 1 -- With Motor Vehicle
-- -- 1 Hit Motor Vehicle in Transport
2 -- -- With Non-Occupant
-- 2 -- Hit Non-Motorist
-- -- 2 Hit Pedestrian or Non-Motorist
-- 3 -- Left Scene
-- -- 3 Hit Parked Vehicle (Working Vehicle, Since 2004) or Object
-- -- 4 Occupant Is Struck by or Fell From Own Hit-and-Run Vehicle
(2002 Only)
-- -- 4 Driver Leaves Scene after Non-Collision Event (Since 2004)
-- -- 5 Driver/Occupant Leaves Scene after a Non-Collision Event
(2003 Only)
-- -- 5 Other Involved Person, not a driver, left Scene (2005-2006)
-- -- 5 Hit-and-Run, Other Involved Person Left Scene (Since 2007)
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Land Use (discontinued)
Definition: This data element was discontinued after 1986.
Additional Information: The data element LAND_USE is defined by the Federal Highway
Administration and does not necessarily coincide with the U.S. Census Bureau's definition or
any other definition of urban or rural. It has been determined there are errors in the 1975 and
1976 data for this data element; consequently, care should be taken when comparing data over
several years.
From 1987 to 2014, urban and rural classifications can be obtained from the data element
Roadway Function Class. Beginning in 2015, the data element Land Use (RUR_URB) was
reintroduced.
SAS Name: LAND_USE
Attribute Codes
1975-1986
1 Urban
2 Rural
9 Unknown
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Number of Drinking Drivers (discontinued)
Definition: This data element records the number of drinking drivers involved in the crash.
Additional Information: This data element is derived from data elements in the Person data
files. If the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is positive, or if the police reported alcohol
involvement, then the driver is counted as a drinking driver.
A driver who is charged with an alcohol violation by itself does not have the driver counted as a
drinking driver.
In the early years of FARS, especially 1975 and 1976, the alcohol data must be used with care.
In these two years no drinking drivers were identified for North Dakota. In 1975 and 1976
Alabama, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia have a reported
drinking driver rate for fatal crashes of less than 5 percent. In 1979 the data from these States
reports a drinking driver rate for fatal crashes between 18.5 percent and 43 percent.
From 1999 through 2007, this data element was incorrectly derived for all person types rather
than based on Drivers only. Beginning with the 2008 Final FARS data file, this element has
been derived for Drivers only. For consistency, the number of drinking drivers should be derived
manually when trying to obtain this data from 1999 to 2007 – refer to the DRUNK_DR Logic
Derivation for “1975-1998 and 2008-2014” in Appendix B: Rules for Derived Data Elements.
Prior to 2015, this data element was called “Drunk Drivers.” The former data element name
implied that the individuals were drunk, however, this data element actually captures those
individuals whom the police reported alcohol involvement OR who tested positive for alcohol
(i.e., their blood alcohol concentration was .01 g/dL or greater prior to 2015 or .001 g/dL or
greater for 2015 and later).
NOTES:
• Alcohol data is often missing. For that reason this data element may undercount the
actual number of drinking drivers.
• The change to a three-digit BAC in 2015 means that a BAC of .001 or greater qualifies
as a drinking driver whereas prior to 2015 a BAC of .01 or greater qualified as a drinking
driver. This may have ramifications for trend analyses.
This data element, formerly C100, was discontinued after 2015.
SAS Name: DRUNK_DR
Attribute Codes
1975-2015
0-99 Number of Drinking Drivers Involved in the Fatal Crash
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Roadway Alignment (discontinued)
Definition: This data element identifies the attribute that best represents the roadway
alignment prior to this vehicle’s critical precrash event, based on the case materials.
Additional Information: In 2010, this data element was no longer collected at the Accident
level. It is now collected at the Vehicle level and appears on the Vehicle data file as VALIGN.
SAS Name: ALIGNMNT
Attribute Codes
1975-2009
1 Straight
2 Curved
9 Unknown
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Roadway Function Class (discontinued)
Definition: This data element identifies the functional classification of the trafficway on which
the crash occurred.
Additional Information: This data element also appears in the Person data file. This data
element was discontinued in 2015.
SAS Name: ROAD_FNC
Attribute Codes
1975-1980
This data element is included in the format, but is not initialized. Do not use it.
1981-1986
1 Principal Arterial – Interstate
2 Principal Arterial – Other Urban Freeways and Expressways
3 Principal Arterial – Other
4 Minor Arterial
5 Urban Collector
6 Major Rural Collector
7 Minor Rural Collector
8 Local Road or Street
9 Unknown
1987-Later
RURAL
1 Principal Arterial – Interstate
2 Principal Arterial – Other
3 Minor Arterial
4 Major Collector
5 Minor Collector
6 Local Road or Street
9 Unknown
URBAN
11 Principal Arterial – Interstate
12 Principal Arterial – Other Freeways or Expressways
13 Other Principal Arterial
14 Minor Arterial
15 Collector
16 Local Road or Street
19 Unknown
99 Unknown
More Information on Roadway Function Class and Land Use
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Roadway Profile (discontinued)
Definition: This data element identifies the attribute that best represents the roadway grade
prior to this vehicle’s critical precrash event, based on the case materials.
Additional Information: In 2010, this data element was no longer collected at the Accident
level. It is now collected at the Vehicle level and appears on the Vehicle data file as VPROFILE.
SAS Name: PROFILE
Attribute Codes
1975-1981
1 Level
2 Grade
9 Unknown
1982-2009
1 Level
2 Grade
3 Hillcrest
4 Sag
9 Unknown
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Roadway Surface Condition (discontinued)
Definition: This data element identifies the attribute that best represents the roadway surface
condition prior to this vehicle’s critical precrash event, based on the case materials.
Additional Information: In 2010, this data element was no longer collected at the Accident
level. It is now collected at the Vehicle level and appears on the Vehicle data file as
VSURCOND.
SAS Name: SUR_COND
Attribute Codes
1975- 2007-
2006 2009
1 1 Dry
2 2 Wet
3 3 Snow or Slush
4 -- Ice
-- 4 Ice/Frost
5 -- Sand, Dirt, Oil
-- 5 Sand, Dirt, Mud, Gravel
-- 6 Water (Standing or Moving)
-- 7 Oil
8 8 Other
9 9 Unknown
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Roadway Surface Type (discontinued)
Definition: This data element identifies the attribute that best represents the roadway surface
type prior to this vehicle’s critical precrash event, based on the case materials.
Additional Information: In 2010, this data element was no longer collected at the Accident
level. It is now collected at the Vehicle level and appears on the Vehicle data file as
VPAVETYP.
SAS Name: PAVE_TYP
Attribute Codes
1975-2009
1 Concrete
2 Blacktop, Bituminous, or Asphalt
3 Brick or Block
4 Slag, Gravel or Stone
5 Dirt
8 Other
9 Unknown
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Speed Limit (discontinued)
Definition: This data element identifies the attribute that best represents the posted speed limit
just prior to this vehicle’s critical precrash event, based on the case materials.
Additional Information: In 2010, this data element was no longer collected at the Accident
level. It is now collected at the Vehicle level and appears on the Vehicle data file as VSPD_LIM.
SAS Name: SP_LIMIT
Attribute Codes
1975- 1977- 1980-
1976 1978 1979 2009
1-94 1-94 1-98 1-98 Speed Limit (mph)
95 95 -- -- Speed Limit Is 95 mph or Greater
96 96 -- 0 No Statutory Limit
98 -- -- -- Not Reportable
99 99 99 99 Unknown
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Total Lanes in Roadway (discontinued)
Definition: This data element identifies the attribute that best describes the number of travel
lanes just prior to this vehicle’s critical precrash event, based on the case materials.
Additional Information: The number of lanes refers to the number of lanes of a continuous
cross-section of roadway. For example, a local roadway with one lane going north and one lane
going south would be coded as two lanes. However, if a trafficway is a divided highway, with
two lanes going north, a median, and two lanes going south, then the number of lanes is coded
as two. If a trafficway has two lanes going north immediately adjacent to two lanes going south,
one continuous cross-section of roadway, then the number of lanes is coded as four. This data
element can be used with the trafficway flow data element TRAF_FLO to determine the
trafficway geometry. For example: If (NO_LANES EQ 2) AND (TRAF_FLO EQ 1), then one
has a two-lane roadway that is not physically divided, that is what most people think of as a two-
lane road, one lane going in each direction.
In 2010, this data element was no longer collected at the Accident level. It is now collected at
the Vehicle level and appears on the Vehicle data file as VNUM_LAN.
SAS Name: NO_LANES
Attribute Codes
1975- 1980-
1979 2009
1 1 One Lane
2 2 Two Lanes
3 3 Three Lanes
4 4 Four Lanes
5 5 Five Lanes
6 6 Six or More Lanes
-- 7 Seven or More Lanes
9 9 Unknown
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Traffic Control Device (discontinued)
Definition: This data element identifies the attribute that best describes the traffic controls in
the vehicle's environment just prior to this vehicle's critical precrash event, based on the case
materials.
Additional Information: In 2010, this data element was no longer collected at the Accident
level. It is now collected at the Vehicle level and appears on the Vehicle data file as
VTRAFCON.
SAS Name: TRA_CONT
Attribute Codes
1975-1981
0 No Controls
1 Flashing Traffic Signals
2 On Colors Traffic Signal
3 Stop Sign
4 Yield Sign
5 Physically Controlled Railroad Crossing
6 Stop Sign for Railroad Crossing
7 Other Railroad Crossing
8 School Zone Sign
9 Traffic Controls Not Functioning
10 Pedestrian Signal (Since 1978)
98 Other
99 Unknown
1982-2009
0 No Controls
NOT AT RAILROAD GRADE CROSSINGS
HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SIGNALS
1 Traffic Control Signal (On Colors) Without Pedestrian Signal
2 Traffic Control (On Colors) With Pedestrian Signal
3 Traffic Control Signal (On Colors) Not Known if Pedestrian Signal
4 Flashing Traffic Control Signal
5 Flashing Beacon
6 Flashing Highway Traffic Signal, Type Unknown, or Other
7 Lane Use Control Signal
8 Other Highway Traffic Signal
9 Unknown Highway Traffic Signal
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Traffic Control Device (continued)
Attribute Codes
1982-2009
REGULATORY SIGNS
20 Stop Sign
21 Yield Sign
28 Other Regulatory Sign
29 Unknown Type Regulatory Sign
SCHOOL ZONE SIGNS
30 School Speed Limit Sign
31 School Advance or Crossing Sign
38 Other School-Related Sign
39 Unknown Type School Zone Sign
WARNING SIGN
40 Warning Sign
41 Electronic Warning Sign (Since 2002)
MISCELLANEOUS NOT AT RAILROAD CROSSING
50 Officer, Crossing Guard, Flagman, etc.
AT RAILROAD GRADE CROSSINGS
ACTIVE DEVICES
60 Gates
61 Flashing Lights
62 Traffic Control Signal
63 Wigwags
64 Bells
68 Other Train-Activated Device
69 Active Device, Type Unknown
PASSIVE DEVICES
70 Cross Bucks
71 Stop Sign
72 Other Railroad Crossing Sign
73 Special Warning Device Watchman, Flagged By Crew
78 Other Passive Device
79 Passive Device, Type Unknown
MISCELLANEOUS DEVICES AT RAILROAD CROSSING
80 Grade Crossing Controlled, Type Unknown
WHETHER OR NOT AT RAILROAD GRADE CROSSING
98 Other
99 Unknown
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Traffic Control Device Functioning (discontinued)
Definition: This data element identifies the functionality of the traffic control device recorded for
this vehicle in the data element Traffic Control Device.
Additional Information: Data not collected prior to 1982.
In 2010, this data element was no longer collected at the Accident level. It is now collected at
the Vehicle level and appears on the Vehicle data file as VTCONT_F.
SAS Name: T_CONT_F
Attribute Codes
1982-2009
0 No Controls
1 Device Not Functioning
2 Device Functioning – Functioning Improperly
3 Device Functioning Properly
9 Unknown
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Trafficway Description (discontinued)
Definition: This data element identifies the attribute that best describes the trafficway flow just
prior to this vehicle’s critical precrash event, based on the case materials.
Additional Information: In 1975 and 1976 all divided highway traffic is coded as Level Data
element 3, i.e., divided highway, other barrier or barrier type unknown. There is no distinction
made among median strips, guardrails and other barriers for these two years.
Prior to 2010, this data element was called Trafficway Flow. In 2010, this data element was no
longer collected at the Accident level. It is now collected at the Vehicle level and appears on the
Vehicle data file as VTRAFWAY.
SAS Name: ROAD_FLO 1975-1981
TWAY_FLO 1982-1986
TRAF_FLO 1987-2009
Attribute Codes
1975-1981
1 Divided Highway, Median Strip (Since 1977)
2 Divided Highway, Guardrail (Since 1977)
3 Divided Highway, Other Barrier or Barrier Type Unknown
4 Not Physically Divided
5 One Way Traffic
9 Unknown
1982- 1987- 2003-
1986 2002 2009
1 1 1 Not Physically Divided (Two-Way Trafficway)
2 2 2 Divided Highway, Median Strip (Without Traffic Barrier)
3 3 3 Divided Highway, Median Strip (With Traffic Barrier)
4 4 4 One-Way Trafficway
-- 5 -- Divided Highway, Median Strip (With Two-Way Continuous Left-
Turn Lane, Since 2001)
-- -- 5 Not Physically Divided (With Two-Way Continuous Left-Turn Lane)
-- -- 6 Entrance/Exit Ramp
9 9 9 Unknown
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Vehicles in Transport (discontinued)
Definition: This data element counts the number of vehicles in-transport involved in the crash.
Legally parked vehicles are not included.
Additional Information: This data element was discontinued after 1981.
SAS Name: VEHICLES
Attribute Codes
1976-1981
01-99
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The VEHICLE Data File
The Vehicle data file includes in-transport motor vehicle data as well as driver and precrash
data. It contains the data elements ST_CASE, STATE, and VEH_NO, which are described in
the beginning of the Data Element Definitions and Codes section. The Vehicle data file also
contains the data elements on the following pages.
ST_CASE and VEH_NO are the unique identifiers for each record. ST_CASE should be used
to merge the Vehicle data file with the Accident data file. ST_CASE and VEH_NO should be
used to merge the Vehicle data file with other vehicle-level data files and the Person data file.
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V4 Number of Occupants
Definition: This data element is a count of the number of occupants in this vehicle.
Additional Information: All, some, or none of the individuals may have died in the crash.
This data element also appears in the Parkwork data file as PNUMOCCS.
SAS Name: OCUPANTS 1975-2008
NUMOCCS 2009-Later
Attribute Codes
1975- 2009- 2016-
2008 2015 Later
0 0 0 None
1-95 1-95 1-98 Actual Number of Occupants in The Vehicle
96 96 -- 96 or More Occupants in The Vehicle
97 -- -- Unknown – Only Injured Reported
-- 98 -- Not Reported (2010 Only)
99 99 99 Unknown
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V5 Unit Type
Definition: This data element identifies the type of unit that applies to this motor vehicle at the
time it became an involved vehicle in the crash and was reported as a unit on the PAR.
Additional Information: This data element also appears in the Parkwork data file as PTYPE.
The valid attributes for PTYPE are:
2 Motor Vehicle Not in Transport Within the Trafficway
3 Motor Vehicle Not in Transport Outside the Trafficway
4 Working Motor Vehicle (Highway Construction, Maintenance, Utility Only)
SAS Name: UNITTYPE
Attribute Codes
2005- 2008-
2007 Later
1 -- Motor Vehicle in Transport
-- 1 Motor Vehicle in Transport (Inside or Outside the Trafficway)
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V6 Hit and Run
Definition: This data element identifies whether this vehicle was a contact vehicle in the crash
that did not stop to render aid (this can include drivers who flee the scene on foot). Hit and run
is coded when a motor vehicle in-transport, or its driver, departs from the scene; vehicles not in-
transport are excluded. It does not matter whether the hit-and-run vehicle was striking or struck.
Additional Information: From 1975 to 1981 if no information was known about the Hit-and-
Run vehicle and/or driver, the vehicle form and/or driver form were not filled out and were not
counted as unknown. Starting in 1982 both a vehicle and a driver form were filled out and the
data were identified as unknown. This is why, for example, there were approximately only 20 to
40 drivers with unknown sex listed in the FARS data file from 1975 to 1981 and more than 700
drivers with unknown sex from 1982 on.
This data element was removed from Accident data file in 2009.
This data element also appears in the Parkwork data file as PHIT_RUN.
SAS Name: HIT_RUN
Attribute Codes
1975- 1977- 1982-
1976 1981 2008
0 -- -- Not Applicable
-- 0 0 No Hit-and-Run
1 1 -- With Motor Vehicle
-- -- 1 Hit Motor Vehicle in Transport
2 -- -- With Non-Occupant
-- 2 -- Hit Non-Motorist
-- -- 2 Hit Pedestrian or Non-Motorist
-- 3 -- Left Scene
-- -- 3 Hit Parked Vehicle (Working Vehicle, Since 2004) or Object
-- -- 4 Occupant Is Struck by or Fell From Own Hit-and-Run Vehicle
(2002 Only)
-- -- 4 Driver Leaves Scene after Non-Collision Event (Since 2004)
-- -- 5 Driver/Occupant Leaves Scene after a Non-Collision Event
(2003 Only)
-- -- 5 Other Involved Person, not a driver, left Scene (2005-2006)
-- -- 5 Hit-and-Run, Other Involved Person Left Scene (Since 2007)
2010- 2012-
2009 2011 Later
0 0 0 No
1 1 1 Yes
-- 8 -- Not Reported
9 9 9 Unknown
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V7 Registration State
Definition: This element identifies the state in which this vehicle was registered.
Additional Information: For multiple state registrations prior to 1997 the value is 94. In 1997,
values 93 and 94 were combined into 93. After 1997, the value for multiple state registrations is
93.
This variable also appears in the Parkwork data set as PREG_STAT.
SAS Name: REG_STAT
Attribute Codes
1975-Later
1 Alabama 30 Montana
2 Alaska 31 Nebraska
3 American Samoa 32 Nevada
4 Arizona 33 New Hampshire
5 Arkansas 34 New Jersey
6 California 35 New Mexico
8 Colorado 36 New York
9 Connecticut 37 North Carolina
10 Delaware 38 North Dakota
11 District of Columbia 39 Ohio
12 Florida 40 Oklahoma
13 Georgia 41 Oregon
14 Guam 42 Pennsylvania
15 Hawaii 43 Puerto Rico
16 Idaho 44 Rhode Island
17 Illinois 45 South Carolina
18 Indiana 46 South Dakota
19 Iowa 47 Tennessee
20 Kansas 48 Texas
21 Kentucky 49 Utah
22 Louisiana 50 Vermont
23 Maine 51 Virginia
24 Maryland 52 Virgin Islands (Since 2004)
25 Massachusetts 53 Washington
26 Michigan 54 West Virginia
27 Minnesota 55 Wisconsin
28 Mississippi 56 Wyoming
29 Missouri
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V7 Registration State (continued)
Attribute Codes
1975- 2008- 2010-
2007 2009 Later
-- -- 0 Not Applicable
-- -- 91 Not Reported
92 92 92 No Registration
93 93 93 Multiple State Registrations
94 -- -- Multiple State Registrations - Out-of-State (1975-1996)
-- 94 94 U.S. Government Tags (Includes Military)
95 -- -- U.S. Government Tags
-- 95 95 Canada
96 -- -- Military Vehicle
-- 96 96 Mexico
97 -- -- Foreign Country
-- 97 97 Other Foreign Country
98 -- -- Other Registration
-- 98 98 Other Registration (Includes Native American Indian Nations)
99 99 99 Unknown
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V8 Registered Vehicle Owner
Definition: This data element identifies the type of registered owner of the vehicle.
Additional Information: This data element also appears in the Parkwork data file as
POWNER.
SAS Name: OWNER
Attribute Codes
1991- 2008-
2007 Later
0 0 Not Applicable, Vehicle Not Registered
1 1 Driver (of This Vehicle) Was Registered Owner
2 2 Driver (of This Vehicle) Not Registered Owner (Other Private Owner)
3 3 Vehicle Registered as Business/Company/Government Vehicle
4 4 Vehicle Registered as Rental Vehicle
5 5 Vehicle Was Stolen (Reported By Police)
6 -- Driverless Vehicle
-- 6 Driverless/Motor Vehicle Parked/Stopped Off Roadway
9 9 Unknown
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V9 Vehicle Make
Definition: This data element identifies the make (manufacturer) of this vehicle.
Additional Information: This data element also appears in the Person data file and in the
Parkwork data file as PMAKE.
SAS Name: MAKE
Attribute Codes
1975-1990
1 American Motors
2 Jeep
3 AM General
6 Chrysler
7 Dodge
8 Imperial
9 Plymouth
10 Eagle (Since 1988)
12 Ford
13 Lincoln
14 Mercury
18 Buick
19 Cadillac
20 Chevrolet
21 Oldsmobile
22 Pontiac
23 GMC
29 Other Domestic
30 Volkswagen
31 Alfa Romeo
32 Audi
33 Austin-Healey
35 Datsun
36 Fiat
37 Honda
38 Isuzu
39 Jaguar
40 Lancia
41 Mazda
42 Mercedes-Benz
43 MG
44 Peugeot
45 Porsche
46 Renault
47 Saab
48 Subaru
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V9 Vehicle Make (continued)
Attribute Codes
1975-1990
49 Toyota
50 Triumph
51 Volvo
52 Mitsubishi (Since 1982)
53 Suzuki (Since 1987)
57 Lexus (Since 1988)
58 Infiniti (Since 1988)
59 Other Imports
60 BSA
61 Ducati
62 Harley-Davidson
63 Kawasaki
64 Moto Guzzi
65 Norton
67 Yamaha
69 Other Motor Cycle
70 Moped
80 Brockway
81 Diamond Reo
82 Freightliner
83 FWD
84 International Harvester
85 Kenworth
86 Mack
87 Peterbilt
88 White
95 Other Truck/Bus
98 Other Make
99 Unknown Make
1991-Later
1 American Motors
2 Jeep/Kaiser-Jeep/Willys Jeep
3 AM General
6 Chrysler
7 Dodge
8 Imperial
9 Plymouth
10 Eagle
12 Ford
13 Lincoln
14 Mercury
18 Buick/Opel
19 Cadillac
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V9 Vehicle Make (continued)
Attribute Codes
1991-Later
20 Chevrolet
21 Oldsmobile
22 Pontiac
23 GMC
24 Saturn
25 Grumman
26 Coda (Since 2013)
29 Other Domestic
Avanti
Checker
DeSoto
Excalibur
Hudson
Packard
Panoz
Saleen
Studebaker
Stutz
Tesla (Since 2014)
30 Volkswagen
31 Alfa Romeo
32 Audi
33 Austin/Austin Healey
34 BMW
35 Datsun/Nissan
36 Fiat
37 Honda
38 Isuzu
39 Jaguar
40 Lancia
41 Mazda
42 Mercedes-Benz
43 MG
44 Peugeot
45 Porsche
46 Renault
47 Saab
48 Subaru
49 Toyota
50 Triumph
51 Volvo
52 Mitsubishi
53 Suzuki
54 Acura
55 Hyundai
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V9 Vehicle Make (continued)
Attribute Codes
1991-Later
56 Merkur
57 Yugo
58 Infiniti
59 Lexus
60 Daihatsu
61 Sterling
62 Land Rover
63 Kia
64 Daewoo
65 Smart (Since 2010)
66 Mahindra (2011-2013)
67 Scion (Since 2012)
69 Other Imports
Aston Martin
Bentley
Bertone
Bricklin
Bugatti
Caterham
Citroen
DeLorean
Desta
Ferrari
Fisker
Gazelle
Hillman
Jensen
Koenigsegg
Lada
Lamborghini
Lotus
Mahindra (Since 2013)
Maserati
Maybach
McLaren
Mini Cooper
Morgan
Morris
Reliant (British)
Rolls-Royce
Simca
Singer
Spyker
Sunbeam
TVR
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V9 Vehicle Make (continued)
Attribute Codes
1991-Later
70 BSA
71 Ducati
72 Harley-Davidson
73 Kawasaki
74 Moto Guzzi
75 Norton
76 Yamaha
77 Victory
78 Other Make Moped (Since 2010)
79 Other Make Motored Cycle (Since 2010)
80 Brockway
81 Diamond Reo/Reo
82 Freightliner
83 FWD
84 International Harvester/Navistar
85 Kenworth
86 Mack
87 Peterbilt
88 Iveco/Magirus
89 White/Autocar, White/GMC
90 Bluebird
91 Eagle Coach
92 Gillig
93 MCI
94 Thomas Built
97 Not Reported (Since 2010)
98 Other Make
Auto-Union-DKW
Carpenter
Collins Bus
DINA
Divco
Hino
Mid Bus
Neoplan
Orion
Oshkosh
Scania
Sterling
UD
Van Hool
Western Star
99 Unknown Make
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V10 Vehicle Model
Definition: This data element identifies the model of this vehicle within a given make.
Additional Information: This data element also appears in the Person data file and in the
Parkwork data file as PMODEL.
SAS Name: MODEL
Attribute Codes
1975-Later
See the current FARS/CRSS Coding and Validation Manual for vehicle model codes.
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V11 Body Type
Definition: This data element identifies a classification of this vehicle based on its general body
configuration, size, shape, doors, etc.
Additional Information: This data element also appears in the Person data file and in the
Parkwork data file as PBODYTYP.
1975-1981: Within the yearly NHTSA report Fatal Accident Reporting System, the term "Light
Trucks" includes Vans.
The body type data do not track with the original documentation. For example, the
documentation states that BODY_TYP EQ 7 is for utility vehicles. However, when the data files
are examined one sees that BODY_TYP EQ 43 is the value that will provide the desired result.
The data files have been modified to make the early years for this data element compatible with
1981.
Note: Utility vehicles are also part of the light truck category
Note: BODY_TYP 40, large limousines, are not included as part of Passenger Cars or
Passenger Vehicles.
1982-1990: Within the yearly NHTSA report Fatal Accident Report System, the term “Light
Truck” includes Vans. Utility vehicles are also part of the light-truck category.
Note: BODY_TYP 13, large limousines and BODY_TYP 14, three-wheel automobiles or
automobile derivatives, are not included as part of Passenger Cars or Passenger Vehicles.
Note: A single-unit truck that tows another vehicle, or a bobtail by itself, is considered a
combination truck.
1991-Later: Within the yearly NHTSA publication Traffic Safety Facts, the term "Light Trucks"
includes Vans.
Note: BODY_TYP 12, large limousines and BODY_TYP 13, three-wheel automobiles or
automobile derivatives, are not included as part of Passenger Cars or Passenger Vehicles.
When defining School Buses 1993 and later be sure to include the new body type 24 (van-
based school bus). However, body type 24 is not part of Buses.
When defining Transit Buses 1993 and later be sure to include the new body type 25 (van-
based transit bus). However, body type 25 is not part of Buses.
Note: A single-unit truck that tows another vehicle, or a bobtail, is considered a combination
truck.
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V11 Body Type (continued)
SAS Name: BODY_TYP
Attribute Codes
1975-1981
1 Convertible
2 2-Door Sedan HT/Coupe
3 4-Door Sedan HT
4 Hatchback
5 Car-Pickup Body
6 Station Wagon
7 On/Off Road Vehicle – Jeep CJ-S, Bronco, Blazer, Scout, etc. (1975-1979)
8 Other Auto
9 Unknown Auto Type
15 Motorcycle
16 Moped
17 Other Cycle
18 Unknown Cycle
25 School Bus
26 Cross-County
27 Transit Bus
28 Other Bus
29 Unknown Bus
35 Snowmobile
36 Farm Equipment
37 Dune/Swamp Buggy
38 Construction Equipment
39 Ambulance/Hearse Type
40 Large Limousine
41 Camper/Motorhome
42 Fire Truck
43 On/Off-Road Vehicle – Jeep CJ-S, Bronco, Blazer, Scout, etc. (1980-1981)
44 Other Special Vehicle
45 Ambulance EMS
50 Pickup
51 Van
52 Truck-Based Station Wagon
53 Straight Truck, Low GVW
54 Straight Truck, Medium GVW
55 Straight Truck, High GVW
56 Straight Truck, Unknown GVW
57 Two-Unit Truck
58 Multi-Unit Truck
59 Truck-Tractor
60 Unknown Type Truck
99 Unknown
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V11 Body Type (continued)
Attribute Codes
1982-1990
1 Convertible
2 2-Door Sedan/Ht/Coupe
3 3-Door/2-Door Hatchback
4 4-Door Sedan/Ht
5 5-Door/4-Door Hatchback
6 Station Wagon
7 Hatchback/Number of Doors Unknown
8 Other Auto
9 Unknown Auto Type
10 Auto Pickup
11 Auto Panel
12 Short Utility/Not Truck-Based
13 Large Limousine
14 3-Wheel Vehicle Unknown Body Type
20 Motorcycle
21 Moped
27 3-Wheel Motorcycle Or Moped
28 Other Cycle
29 Unknown Cycle
30 School Bus
31 Cross-Country/Intercity
32 Transit Bus
38 Other Bus
39 Unknown Bus
40 Van
41 Van Commercial Cutaway
42 Van Motorhome
48 Other Van Type
49 Unknown Van Type
50 Pickup
51 Pickup W/Slide-In Camper
52 Pickup-Based Motorhome
53 Cab Chassis Based
54 Truck-Based Panel
55 Truck-Based Station Wagon
56 Truck-Based Utility
58 Other Light Conventional Truck
59 Unknown Light Convent Truck
67 Utility, Base Body Unknown
69 Unknown Light Truck
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V11 Body Type (continued)
Attribute Codes
1982-1990
70 Straight Truck, Low GVW
71 Straight Truck, Medium GVW
72 Straight Truck, High GVW
73 Medium/Heavy Truck Motorhome
74 Truck/Tractor
75 Unknown Medium Truck
76 Unknown Heavy Truck
77 Camper/Motorhome
78 Single Unit Straight Truck GVW Unknown
79 Unknown Truck Type
80 Snowmobile
81 Farm Equipment/Not Trucks
82 ATV, Dune/Swamp Buggy
83 Construction Equipment/Not Trucks
88 Other
89 Unknown Other Vehicle
90 3-Wheel Vehicle Unknown Body Type
99 Unknown Body Type
1991- 2010-
2009 Later
1 1 Convertible (Excludes Sunroof, T-Bar)
2 2 2-Door Sedan/Hardtop/Coupe
3 3 3-Door/2-Door Hatchback
4 4 4-Door Sedan/Hardtop
5 5 5-Door/4-Door Hatchback
6 6 Station Wagon (Excluding Van and Truck-Based)
7 7 Hatchback, Number of Doors Unknown
8 -- Other Auto (1991-1993)
8 8 Sedan/Hardtop, Number of Doors Unknown (Since 1994)
9 -- Unknown Auto Type (1991-1993)
9 9 Other or Unknown Automobile Type (Since 1994)
10 10 Auto-Based Pickup
11 11 Auto-Based Panel (Cargo Station Wagon, Auto-Based Ambulance or Hearse)
12 12 Large Limousine – More Than Four Side Doors or Stretch Chassis
13 13 Three-Wheel Automobile or Automobile Derivative
14 14 Compact Utility (ANSI D-16 Utility Vehicle Categories “Small” and “Midsize”)
15 15 Large Utility (ANSI D-16 Utility Vehicle Categories “Full Size” and “Large”)
16 16 Utility Station Wagon
-- 17 3-Door Coupe
19 19 Utility Unknown Body
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V11 Body Type (continued)
Attribute Codes
1991- 2010-
2009 Later
20 20 Minivan
21 21 Large Van – Includes Van-Based Buses
22 22 Step Van or Walk-In Van
23 -- Van Motorhome (1991-2002)
24 -- Van-Based School Bus (1993-2002)
25 -- Van-Based Transit Bus (1993-2002)
28 28 Other Van Type (Hi-Cube Van)
29 29 Unknown Van Type
30 30 Compact Pickup (Gross Vehicle Weight, GVWR, < 4,500 lbs)
31 31 Standard Pickup (4,500 lbs GVWR < 10,000 lbs)
32 32 Pickup with Slide-In Camper
33 33 Convertible Pickup
39 39 Unknown (Pickup Style) Light Conventional Truck Type
40 40 Cab Chassis-Based (Includes Light Stake, Light Dump, Light Tow, Rescue
Vehicles)
41 41 Truck-Based Panel
42 42 Light-Truck-Based Motorhome (Chassis Mounted)
45 45 Other Light Conventional Truck Type (Includes Stretched Suburban
Limousine)
48 48 Unknown Light-Truck Type (Not a Pickup, 1991-2012)
-- 48 Unknown Light Truck Type (Since 2013)
49 49 Unknown Light-Vehicle Type (Automobile, Utility Vehicle, Van or Light Truck)
50 50 School Bus
51 51 Cross-Country/Intercity Bus (i.e., Greyhound)
52 52 Transit Bus (City Bus)
-- 55 Van-Based Bus GVWR > 10,000 lbs. (Since 2011)
58 58 Other Bus Type
59 59 Unknown Bus Type
60 60 Step Van
61 61 Single-Unit Straight Truck (10,000 lbs < GVWR <= 19,500 lbs) (1991-2010)
-- 61 Single-Unit Straight Truck or Cab-Chassis (10,000 lbs < GVWR <=
19,500 lbs) (Since 2011)
62 62 Single-Unit Straight Truck (19,500 lbs < GVWR <= 26,000 lbs) (1991-2010)
-- 62 Single-Unit Straight Truck or Cab-Chassis (19,500 lbs < GVWR <=
26,000 lbs) (Since 2011)
63 63 Single-Unit Straight Truck (GVWR > 26,000 lbs) (1991-2010)
-- 63 Single-Unit Straight Truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR > 26,000 lbs) (Since 2011)
64 -- Single-Unit Straight Truck
-- 64 Single Unit Straight Truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR Unknown) (Since 2011)
65 65 Medium/Heavy Truck-Based Motorhome
66 66 Truck/Tractor (Cab Only, or with Any Number of Trailing Units: Any Weight)
67 67 Medium/Heavy Pickup (GVWR > 10,000 lbs) (Since 2001)
-- 68 Single-Unit Straight Truck (GVWR Unknown) (2010 Only)
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V11 Body Type (continued)
Attribute Codes
1991- 2010-
2009 Later
71 71 Unknown if Single-Unit or Combination-Unit Medium Truck (10,000 lbs <
GVWR < 26,000 lbs)
72 72 Unknown if Single-Unit or Combination-Unit Heavy Truck (GVWR >
26,000 lbs.)
73 73 Camper or Motorhome, Unknown Truck Type
78 78 Unknown Medium/Heavy Truck Type
79 79 Unknown Truck Type
80 80 Motorcycle
81 81 Moped (Motorized Bicycle)
82 82 Three-Wheel Motorcycle/Moped- Not All-Terrain Vehicle
83 83 Off-Road Motorcycle (2-Wheel) (Since 1993)
88 -- Other Motored Cycle Type (Mini-Bikes, Motor Scooters) (1991-2007)
88 88 Other Motored Cycle Type (Mini-Bikes, Motor Scooters, Pocket Motorcycles,
Pocket Bikes) (Since 2008)
89 89 Unknown Motored Cycle Type
90 90 ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle; Includes 3 or 4 Wheels)
91 91 Snowmobile
92 92 Farm Equipment Other Than Trucks
93 93 Construction Equipment Other Than Trucks (Includes Graders)
94 -- Motorized Wheel Chair (1997 Only)
-- 94 Low Speed Vehicle (LSV)/Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV)
(Since 2011)
-- 95 Golf Cart (Since 2012)
97 97 Other Vehicle Type (Includes Go-Cart, Fork-Lift, City Street Sweeper,
Dune/Swamp Buggy)
-- 98 Not Reported
99 99 Unknown Body Type
More Information on Vehicle Body Type Classification
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V12 Vehicle Model Year
Definition: This data element identifies the manufacturer's model year of this vehicle.
Additional Information: This data element also appears in the Person data file and in the
Parkwork data file as PMODYEAR.
SAS Name: MOD_YEAR
Attribute Codes
1975- 1998- 2010-
1997 2009 Later
0-98 xxxx xxxx Actual Model Year
-- -- 9998 Not Reported
99 9999 9999 Unknown
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V13 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Definition: This data element records the vehicle identification number (VIN) of this vehicle
assigned by the vehicle manufacturer. The VIN contains information on the vehicle such as:
manufacturer, model year, model, body type, restraint type, etc.
Additional Information: From 1975 to 1993 the first ten characters of the VIN are recorded;
from 1994 onward the first 12 are used. The vehicle manufacturers use the VIN to describe
certain characteristics of a vehicle and to assign a serial number to the vehicle.
VINA is a software program, maintained by R. L. Polk & Co. that deciphers the VIN for 1966 and
newer vehicles that are within the scope of the program. In FARS, the VINA program uses the
VIN as input values and returns decoded values for automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles.
Vehicle type, determined by the analyst-coded body type, is also used as input to facilitate the
program processing. The names of many data elements decoded from the VIN begin with "VIN"
or “PVIN.” Some of the results from the VINA program are used as edit checks for these data.
Starting in 1981, the Vehicle Identification Numbers were required to conform to an international
standard. For vehicles built prior to 1981 one may consult the National Automobile Theft
Bureau's publication Passenger Vehicle Identification Manual for the year in question.
This data element also appears in the Parkwork data file as PVIN.
SAS Name: VIN
Attribute Codes
1975-1993 1994-2008 2009 2010-Later
xxxxxxxxxx -- -- -- First 10 Characters
-- xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx First 12 Characters
-- -- 000000000000 000000000000 No VIN Required
-- -- -- 888888888888 Not Reported
-- -- -- 999999999999 Unknown
More Information on Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
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V14 Vehicle Trailing
Definition: This data element identifies whether this vehicle had any attached trailing units or
was towing another motor vehicle. A trailing unit can be a horse trailer, fifth wheel trailer,
camper, boat, truck trailer, towed vehicle or any other trailer.
Additional Information: This data element not only applies to tractor trailers, but also to boats,
cars, and U-Haul-type vehicles that are towed with a trailer hitch. Vehicles pulled by a rope or
chain are not counted as towed vehicles.
Note that the number of unknowns is 0 until 1982. From 1982 to 1984 the number of unknowns
is approximately 2,500 per year. Starting in 1985 the number of unknowns falls to about 300
per year.
This data element also appears in the Person data file and in the Parkwork data file as
PTRAILER.
SAS Name: TOW_VEH
Attribute Codes
1975- 1983- 2004- 2009-
1981 1982 2003 2008 Later
0 0 0 0 0 No Trailing Unit
1 -- -- -- -- Yes
-- 1 1 1 1 Yes, One Trailing Unit
-- -- 2 2 2 Yes, Two Trailing Units
-- -- 3 3 3 Yes, Three or More Trailing Units
-- 4 4 4 4 Yes, Number of Trailing Units Unknown
-- 5 -- -- -- Yes, Two or More Trailing Units
-- -- -- 5 -- Vehicle Towing another Motor Vehicle
-- -- -- -- 5 Vehicle Towing another Motor Vehicle – Fixed
Linkage
-- -- -- -- 6 Vehicle Towing another Motor Vehicle – Non-Fixed
Linkage
-- -- 9 9 9 Unknown
FARS Analytical User’s Manual The VEHICLE Data File
FARS Analytical User’s Manual Data Element Definitions and Codes • 109