Glossary of Terms

These definitions are used in the traffic safety community and have been compiled from various NHTSA, LADOTD, and government publications, including ANSI D16.1996 and AAMVA ANSI D20-2003 technical manuals. They provide explanation to some of the terminology used throughout the site and CRASH reports.

§ R.S. 32:295.1 PRIMARY SEATBELT (Safety belt use; tags indicating exemption)

Vehicle 10,000 lbs. or less, all occupants shall have a safety belt properly fastened about his or her body at all times when the vehicle is in forward motion.

§ R.S. 32:295 CHILD OCCUPANT SEATBELT (Child passenger restraint system)

Children under the age of 6 years or less than 60 lbs. must be in a child restraint system or booster seat that is age and size appropriate, in accordance with manufacturers recommendations. Children 6 to 12 years of age must be restrained by a lap belt, shoulder harness, or an age / size appropriate child safety or booster seat.

ALCOHOL-INVOLVED CRASH (AIC)

Any CRASH in which a DRIVER or PEDESTRIAN had been drinking as indicated by the crash report.

COLLISION TYPE

The category which best describes the general type of collision which was the first event.

CRASH (TRAFFIC)

An unintended event that causes a death, injury or damage and involves a MOTOR VEHICLE on a TRAFFICWAY. (This includes only traffic crashes which have resulted in a DEATH or INJURY to one or more persons. CRASHES which have caused only vehicle or property damage are not included.)

DEATHS (FATALITIES)

Those persons who have died within 30 days of a CRASH as a result of INJURIES sustained in that CRASH.

DRIVER

A person who is in actual physical control of a VEHICLE or who was in control until control was lost. (A PEDALCYCLIST who is in control is considered a DRIVER.)

DRIVER CONDITION

The category which best describes the condition of a DRIVER at the time of the CRASH.

FATAL ACCIDENTS

Those CRASHES in which there was one or more DEATHS.

FATAL AND INJURY (F&I) CRASH

The CRASHES in which there was an INJURY or a DEATH.

INJURY

Bodily harm to a person as a result of a CRASH. INJURIES do not include DEATHS.

INTERSECTION CRASHES

Those crashes which occur at or within 100 feet of an intersection.

KILLED

A DEATH as a result of a CRASH.

LICENSED DRIVER

A person who is licensed by a state to operate a MOTOR VEHICLE on public roadways.

LOCATION TYPES

Where the CRASH occurred (business, residential, etc.)

MISSING OBSERVATIONS

A traffic record with some fields of the crash report not filled out.

MOTOR VEHICLES

Any motorized (mechanically or electrically powered) VEHICLE not operated on rails.

OCCUPANT

A person who is in or on a VEHICLE including the driver.

OTHER OBJECT

An object in the roadway which is not part of the roadway (such as rocks, fallen trees, debris)

PASSENGER

Any OCCUPANT of a VEHICLE other than its DRIVER.

PEDALCYCLE

A non-motorized VEHICLE propelled by pedaling such as a bicycle, tricycle, unicycle, or pedal car. (The PEDALCYCLE is counted as a VEHICLE and the OCCUPANTS are counted as DRIVERS and PASSENGERS.)

PEDESTRIAN

A person who is INJURED or killed in a CRASH and who was not in or on a VEHICLE.

PRIMARY CONTRIBUTING FACTOR

The main cause of a CRASH.

RATE

A rate is computed by dividing a total count by population statistics such as VMT, number of licensed drivers, or population.

RURAL

All areas that are un-incorporated and incorporated areas with less than 2,500 population except for Jefferson Parish which is considered all URBAN.

TRAFFICWAY

A land way open to the public as a matter of right or custom for moving persons or property from one place to another. This does not include land ways which are under construction or closed and which have been marked by signs or barriers.

TRUCK COMBINATION

A motor vehicle consisting of a TRUCK TRACTOR which has a trailer or semi-trailer attached.

TRUCK TRACTOR

A motor vehicle consisting primarily of a single motorized device designed for drawing trailers or semi-trailers, but not for carrying other property on or in the device. When connected to a trailer or semi-trailer, such a device is considered a TRUCK COMBINATION.

URBAN

Any incorporated area with more than 2,500 population and all of Jefferson Parish.

VEHICLE

A device for carrying or transporting persons or things, i.e., cars, trucks, farm equipment, buses, motorcycles, pedalcycles, trains, and recreational vehicles.

VIOLATIONS

The category which best describes the DRIVER'S infringement of MOTOR VEHICLE traffic laws.

NON-INTERSECTION

An area along the roadway (including the shoulder) that does not contain a crossing or connection of two or more roadways, and is greater than 50 feet from an intersection.

OPERATING A VEHICLE WHILE INTOXICATED--R.S. 14:98 (LA)

The crime of operating a vehicle while intoxicated is the operating of any motor vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, vessel, or other means of conveyance when the operator is under the influence of alcoholic beverages or the operator's BAC is 0.08% or more. On the first offense, punishable by a fine of $300 to $1,000, and 10 days to 6 months imprisonment (exceptions are in place). If the offender has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.20% or more, the violation is punishable with fines of $750 to $1,000 without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence, and suspension of driver's license for 2 years.

Read the full text here

ALCOHOL-RELATED

NHTSA defines a crash as alcohol-related if either a driver or a non-motorist (usually a pedestrian) had a measurable or estimated blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.01 grams per deciliter (g/dl) or above. Some states in the State Data System also report a crash as alcohol-related if the Police Accident Report (PAR) indicates evidence of alcohol being present, even though the crash participant may not have been tested for alcohol.

BAC

Blood Alcohol Concentration. BAC is measured as a percentage by weight of alcohol in the blood (grams/deciliter). A positive BAC level (0.01 g/dl and higher) indicates that alcohol was consumed by the person tested.

BUS

Large motor vehicles generally used to carry more than 10 passengers, including school buses, inter-city buses, and transit buses.

CRASH

An event which produces injury and/or property damage, involves a motor vehicle in transport, and occurs on a trafficway or while the vehicle is still in motion after running off the trafficway.

CRASH SEVERITY

  • Fatal Crash: A police-reported crash involving a motor vehicle in transport on a trafficway in which at least one person dies.
  • Injury Crash: A police-reported crash involving a motor vehicle in transport on a trafficway in which no one died but at least one person was reported to have either an incapacitating injury, a visible but not incapacitating injury, or a possible injury with no visible evidence.
  • Property-Damage-Only (PDO) Crash: A police-reported crash involving a motor vehicle in transport on a trafficway in which no one involved in the crash was killed or injured, but enough damage occurred to one or more vehicles to meet the state's minimum inclusion criteria.

DAY

Time period from 0600 (6:00 A.M.) to 1759 (5:59 P.M.)

DRIVER AGE CATEGORIES

  • Youths: 15-24
  • Middle-aged: 25-54
  • Seniors: 55 and above

DWI

Driving While Intoxicated (See OPERATING A VEHICLE WHILE INTOXICATED)

FARS

Fatal Analysis Reporting System, a data system created by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 1975 to assist the traffic safety community in identifying traffic safety problems and evaluating both motor vehicle safety standards and highway safety initiatives.

You can find more information here.

LARGE TRUCK

Trucks with over 10,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), including single unit trucks and truck tractors.

LIGHT TRUCK

Trucks with 10,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or less, including pickups, vans, and sport utility vehicles (SUV).

MOTORCYCLE

A two- or three-wheeled motor vehicle designed to transport one or two people, including motor scooters, mini bikes, and mopeds.

NIGHT

Time period from 1800 (6:00 P.M.) to 0559 (5:59 A.M.)

DRINKING IN A MOTOR VEHICLE--Sec. 13:1018.1 (EBRP)

It is unlawful...

  • for any person to drink, consume, or be in possession of an alcoholic beverage while operating, or while riding as a passenger in, any private motor vehicle when such vehicle is upon a public road;
  • for any operator or passenger of any motor vehicle to drink, consume, or be in possession of any bottle, container or receptacle containing alcoholic beverages which has been opened or the seal of a licensed manufacturer has been broken, or the contents of which have been exposed to the air, except when such bottle, receptacle, or container shall be kept in the trunk of the motor vehicle, or kept in some other area of the vehicle not normally occupied by the driver or passengers in the event that the motor vehicle is not equipped with a trunk. On a first conviction, punishable by fines up to $125 and imprisonment for 10 days to 6 months.

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INJURY SEVERITY

The police-reported injury severity of a person involved in a crash:

  • Killed (Fatal)
  • Injured (Incapacitating injury, evident injury but not incapacitating, and possible injury with no visible evidence)
  • No Injury

INTERSECTION

An area which contains a crossing or connection of two or more roadways not classified as driveway access, either along a roadway within an intersection proper or within 50 feet of an intersection.

PAR

Police Accident Report. A report completed by police officers at a motor vehicle traffic crash scene. It contains information describing characteristics of the crash, the vehicles, and people involved. The report also includes the results of the officer’s investigation about the crash itself.

PRETRIAL DIVERSION

Includes all submits and refusals which did not lead to either a DWI conviction or an application of the 894 law.

REFUSAL

When a law enforcement officer places a person under arrest for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and the person refuses to submit to an approved chemical test for intoxication.

Go here for a more detailed explanation.

OVERTURN\ROLLOVER

Any crash in which a vehicle rotates 90 degrees or more about any true longitudinal or lateral axis.

SUBMIT

When a law enforcement officer places a person under arrest for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and the person submits to an approved chemical test for intoxication and such test results show blood alcohol content over the legal limits.

Go here for a more detailed explanation.

VMT

Vehicle Miles Traveled is an estimate of the miles traveled by all motor vehicles traveling on Louisiana roads. VMT is obtained by combining two estimates of (1) VMT of interstates and state roads and (2) VMT of local roads. The estimate of interstates and state roads are obtained from daily vehicle miles travel estimates. The daily vehicle miles traveled is obtained by dividing the state roads and interstates in control sections. Counters on these control sections count daily travel. These counts are then multiplied by the miles of the control sections.

Note: All population statistics show an increase. However, the VMT exhibit much more variation over time than expected from the variation in licensed drivers and population. Part of the variation may be due to estimation.

WEEKDAY

Time period from 0600 (6:00 A.M.) Monday to 1759 (5:59 P.M.) Friday

WEEKEND

Time period from 1800 (6:00 P.M.) Friday to 0559 (5:59 A.M.) Monday

CATACLYSM

An avalanche, cloudburst, cyclone, earthquake, flood, hurricane, landslide, lightning, tidal wave, tornado, torrential rain, or volcanic eruption.

ELEVATED INTERSTATE CRASH

Any traffic accident occurring on an interstate which is not level with the adjacent ground.

IN TRANSPORT

The term “IN TRANSPORT” denotes the state or condition of a transport vehicle which is in motion or within the portion of a transport way ordinarily used by similar transport vehicles. When applied to MOTOR VEHICLES, “in transport” means in motion or on a roadway.

Inclusions:

  • MOTOR VEHICLE in traffic on a highway
  • Driverless MOTOR VEHICLE in motion
  • Motionless MOTOR VEHICLE abandoned on a roadway
  • Disabled MOTOR VEHICLE on a roadway
  • And others

In roadway lanes used for travel during rush hours and parking during off-peak periods, a parked MOTOR VEHICLE is in transport during periods when parking is forbidden.

PROPERTY-DAMAGE ONLY (PDO) ACCIDENT

A noninjury accident.

TRANSPORT VEHICLE

A TRANSPORT VEHICLE consists of one or more devices or animals and their load. Such devices or animals must include at least one of the following:

  • A transport device, or a unit made up of connected transport devices, while idle or in use for moving persons or property from one place to another
  • An animal or team of animals while in use for moving persons or property other than the animal or team itself from one place to another
  • A movable device such as construction, farm, or industrial machinery outside the confines of a building and its premises while in use for moving persons, the device itself, or other property from one place to another

If such a device or animal has a load, the load is part of that TRANSPORT VEHICLE. Loads include:

  • Persons or property upon, or set in motion by, the device or animal
  • Persons boarding or alighting from the device or animal
  • Persons or property attached to and in position to move with the device

GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)

A gross vehicle weight rating is (1) a value specified by the manufacturer for a single-unit TRUCK, truck tractor or trailer, or (2) the sum of such values for the units which make up a TRUCK COMBINATION. In the absence of a gross vehicle weight rating, an estimate of the gross weight of a fully loaded unit may be substituted for such a rating.

UNIFORM TRUCK OR BUS (UTB) ACCIDENT

See COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE (CMV) ACCIDENT.

COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE (CMV) ACCIDENT

The MCMIS Crash data includes crashes that are reported by states to the FMCSA through the SAFETYNET computer reporting system. The Crash File includes the National Governors' Association (NGA) recommended data elements collected on trucks and buses involved in crashes that meet the NGA recommended crash threshold. An NGA reportable crash must involve a truck (a vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for carrying property, with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of more than 10,000 lbs.) or bus (a vehicle with seats for at least nine people, including the driver) or a vehicle carrying hazardous material. The crash must result in at least one fatality; one injury where the person injured is taken to a medical facility for immediate medical attention; or one vehicle having been towed from the scene as a result of disabling damage suffered in the crash. The Crash Profile Reports use the MCMIS Crash data as of March 2007.

§ 407. DISCOVERY AND ADMISSION AS EVIDENCE OF CERTAIN REPORTS AND SURVEYS

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or data compiled or collected for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, or planning the safety enhancement of potential accident sites, hazardous roadway conditions, or railway-highway crossings, pursuant to sections 130, 144, and 148 of this title or for the purpose of developing any highway safety construction improvement project which may be implemented utilizing Federal-aid highway funds shall not be subject to discovery or admitted into evidence in a Federal or State court proceeding or considered for other purposes in any action for damages arising from any occurrence at a location mentioned or addressed in such reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or data.