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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
FHWA Highway Safety Programs

Traffic Safety Performance Measures

Description:

This guide presents the minimum set of performance measures to be used by state and Federal agencies in the development and implementation of behavioral highway safety plans and programs. Performance measures were developed by an expert panel from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs), academic and research organizations, and other key groups. The following list identifies the minimum set of 14 measures, including data sources:
10 core outcome measures.

  • C-1) Number of traffic fatalities (FARS).
  • C-2) Number of serious injuries in traffic crashes (State crash data files).
  • C-3) Fatalities/VMT (FARS, FHWA).
  • C-4) Number of unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, all seat positions (FARS).
  • C-5) Number of fatalities in crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator with a BAC of .08 and above (FARS).
  • C-6) Number of speeding-related fatalities (FARS).
  • C-7) Number of motorcyclist fatalities (FARS).
  • C-8) Number of unhelmeted motorcyclist fatalities (FARS).
  • C-9) Number of drivers age 20 or younger involved in fatal crashes (FARS).
  • C-10) Number of pedestrian fatalities (FARS).

1 core behavior measure.

  • B-1) Observed seat belt use for passenger vehicles, front seat outboard occupants (survey).

3 activity measures.

  • A-1) Number of seat belt citations issued during grant-funded enforcement activities (grant activity reporting).
  • A-2) Number of impaired driving arrests made during grant-funded enforcement activities (grant activity reporting).
  • A-3) Number of speeding citations issued during grant-funded enforcement activities (grant activity reporting).

The guide opens with a general overview of performance measures, including how the performance measures were developed, the need for performance measures, and types of performance measures. The guide then discusses the 14 minimum performance measures in detail, including data sources and the applicability of performance measures to specific emphasis areas (e.g., seatbelt use, speeding and aggressive driving, and motorcyclists).

The measures cover the major areas common to State highway safety plans and use existing data systems. States set goals for each of the 11 core outcome and behavior measures, and progress is reported annually. NHTSA uses the core measures as an integral part of its reporting to the Congress, the public, and others.

Tool Type:
Application Guide
Owner Source:
federal
Sponsor/Owner:
  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Published:
Availability:

The tool is available free of charge at the following link: Traffic Safety Performance Measures.

Disclaimer:

This information is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the use of the information contained herein. This information does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturer's names appear in this information only because they are considered essential to the objective of this publication.

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations, and translations thereof, expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Highway Administration.