Benefits Of Adopting MMUCC Guidelines:  A Logical Step Towards a National Crash Reporting Form
Robert Thompson, Iowa Department of Public Safety,  rthompso@dps.state.ia.us
Telephone: (515) 281-3014

While a national crash reporting form remains a laudable goal, some of the key benefits from such a report can be achieved by getting as many states as possible to adopt the MMUCC guidelines in their crash reporting.  Highway traffic safety programs compete for funding resources, both within TEA -- beyond and against other funding priorities such as national security.  Much more needs to be done in the way of meaningful analysis of key highway safety initiatives and programs such as occupant protection.  Because of the absence of a national injury database, far too much reliance as been placed on the outcomes of fatal crashes, which account for less than .6% of all reported crashes in the United States.  As more and more states adopt the MMUCC recommendations, the analysis of injury data in crash outcomes can provide a powerful tool in both validating and improving the impact of highway safety programs in reducing traffic injuries and their severity.