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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation
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Data Profile: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)
Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)
   Overview
In order to improve traffic safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) created the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) in 1975. The FARS database contains information on all fatal motor vehicle crashes in the United States.

To be included in FARS, a crash must involve a motor vehicle traveling on a traffic way customarily open to the public and result in the death of a person (either an occupant of a vehicle or a non-motorist) within 30 days of the crash. The FARS file contains descriptions of each fatal crash reported. Each case has more than 100 coded data elements that characterize the crash, the vehicles, and the people involved.

Data on fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes are gathered from each state's source documents and are coded on standard FARS forms. FARS forms generally include some or all of the following: police accident reports (PARS), state vehicle registration files, state driver licensing files, state highway department data, vital statistics, death certificates, coroner/medical examiner reports, hospital medical records, and emergency medical service reports.

NHTSA's data download and query system for FARS can be accessed at http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/.
   Coverage
FARS contains data on all fatal traffic crashes within the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
   Availability
 
 
First Year1991
Last Year2001
FrequencyAnnual
  • Usually available around Memorial Day.
 
   Summary Tables
 
   National Transportation Statistics
 
Motor Vehicle Fatal Crashes by Posted Speed Limit
Motor Vehicle Safety Data
Motorcycle Rider Safety Data
Occupant Fatalities by Vehicle Type and Nonoccupant Fatalities
Occupant and Non-Motorist Fatalities in Crashes by Number of Vehicles and Alcohol Involvement (AI)
Passenger Car Occupant Safety Data
Transportation Fatalities by Mode
Truck Occupant Safety Data
 
   Related Links
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
FHWA Highway Safety Program
NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts Annual Reports
National Center for Health Statistics
National Safety Council
 
 
   Data Source and Contacts
 
Data Provider AgencyNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Data Provider OfficeNational Center for Statistics and Analysis
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Phone:(800) 853-1351
Email: answers@dot.gov