The UK on the spot accident data collection study - phase II report

In 1999, the UK's Department for Transport and Highways Agency (HA) commissioned Phase I of the 'On the Spot' (OTS 1) accident research project to collect information at the scene of all types of road accidents. In-depth accident investigations were carried out to study the influence on crash causation and injury mechanisms of human involvement, highway design and vehicle design. It was recognised that only through a detailed knowledge of these complex causal factors will effective countermeasures be developed and, ultimately, successfully applied to improve road transport safety. Phase I of OTS started in June 2000, ran for three years and three months, and produced a database of over 1,500 accidents from two distinct geographical regions covering all road users and injury severities. Phase II followed on directly with the same investigation teams, regions and infrastructure, and was completed in September 2006. A further 1,500 accident cases have been investigated and information added to the project database.