Improving data collection

Data collection procedures can be improved by training of persons involved and by application of new methods in the data collection procedure.

Recording road accident data is an important task of the Police, so the people involved should be properly trained. The level of training could be a significant factor affecting the accuracy of accident data. In seven European countries, however, no such specific training takes place. Furthermore, for the remaining countries there is some significant variation in the amount of training provided by the responsible authorities. For example, training in some countries simply includes the provision of guidelines, while in other countries a relevant manual is issued, including specific information on road safety issues. Road safety analysis relies on accurate data, so this is an important task and it is surprising that in some countries very little or no training is provided.

It is likely that electronic completion of accident forms can accelerate the data collection procedure, and thus improve it. Also, the application of this method reduces the potential for data inconsistency. Electronic methods to collect data are already used in several European countries, while others are planning to use such methods in the near future (e.g. Great Britain). Electronic data entry across Europe can additionally facilitate harmonisation of the form and the related collection procedures at European level.

Finally, the accurate recording of the accident location can be substantially improved by the use of a Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in combination with Geographic Information Systems (GIS).