ANSI D16.1-2007
Manual on Classification of
Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents
ANSI D16.1-2007
7
th
Edition
AMERICAN
NATIONAL
STANDARD
ANSI D16.1-2007
ANSI
D16.1-2007
Revision of ANSI D-16.1-1996
American National Standard
Manual on Classification of
Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents
Seventh Edition
Secretariat
National Safety Council
Prepared by the D16 Committee on Classification of Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents under the direction of the
Association of Transportation Safety Information Professionals of the National Safety Council Highway Traffic
Safety Section
Approved August 2, 2007
American National Standards Institute, Inc., Board of Standards Review
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 – 2007
AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD
Approval of an American National Standard requires verification by ANSI that the requirements for due process, consensus, and
other criteria for approval have been met by the standards developer.
Consensus is established when, in the judgment of the ANSI Board of Standards Review, substantial agreement has been
reached by directly and materially affected interests. Substantial agreement means much more than a simple majority, but not
necessarily unanimity. Consensus requires that all views and objections be considered, and that a concerted effort be made
toward their resolution.
The use of American National Standards is completely voluntary: their existence does not in any respect preclude anyone,
whether he has approved the standards or not, from manufacturing, marketing, purchasing or using products, processes, or
procedures not conforming to the standards.
The American National Standards Institute does not develop standards and will in no circumstance give an interpretation of any
American National Standard. Moreover, no person shall have the right or authority to issue an interpretation of an American
National Standard in the name of the American National Standards Institute. Requests for interpretations should be addressed
to the secretariat or sponsor whose name appears on the title page of this document.
Published by
National Safety Council
1121 Spring Lake Drive, Itasca, Illinois 60143-3201
(630) 285-1121
Secretariat: David J. Bozak, Transportation Safety Group
© 2007 by the National Safety Council
All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form,
In an electronic retrieval system or otherwise, without prior
written permission of the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 - 2007
i
Contents
Page
List of Seventh Edition Revised and New D16.1 Definitions/Classifications ........................................ ii
Foreword ....................................................................................................................................................... iii
D16.1 7
th
Edition Consensus Body Members............................................................................................. iv
1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 1
2 Definitions ........................................................................................................................................... 1
2.1 Transport Vehicles and Transport Ways ........................................................................................ 1
2.2 Land Ways, Land Vehicles and Users ........................................................................................... 3
2.3 Injuries and Damage ...................................................................................................................... 16
2.4 Accidents ........................................................................................................................................ 18
2.5 Location ........................................................................................................................................ 23
2.6 Road Vehicle Accident Types ........................................................................................................ 28
2.7 Location of Road Vehicle Accidents .............................................................................................. 29
2.8 School Bus ..................................................................................................................................... 32
2.9 Commerce ...................................................................................................................................... 32
3 Classification ............................................................................................................................................. 34
3.1 Classification of Persons by Injury Severity ................................................................................... 34
3.2 Classification of Road Vehicles by Damage Severity .................................................................... 34
3.3 Accident Classification by Transport Vehicle Type . ...................................................................... 35
3.4 Accident Classification by Injury Severity ...................................................................................... 35
3.5 Accident Classification by Damage Severity .................................................................................. 35
3.6 Accident Classification by Number of Vehicles .............................................................................. 36
3.7 Accident Classification by First Harmful Event .............................................................................. 36
3.8 Accident Classification by Location ................................................................................................ 37
3.9 Type of Motor Vehicle Classification .............................................................................................. 38
3.10 Automobile Classification by Size ................................................................................................ 39
3.11 Automobile Classification by Weight ............................................................................................ 40
3.12 Motorcycle Classification by Type ................................................................................................ 40
3.13 Truck Classification by Weight ..................................................................................................... 41
3.14 Classification of Persons by Work Status .................................................................................... 41
3.15 Classification of Accidents by Work Status................................................................................... 41
References .................................................................................................................................................... 42
Characteristics of Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents ................................................................................. 42
Index .............................................................................................................................................................. 43
Figures
1 Trafficway .......................................................................................................................................... 3
2 Trafficway with Frontage Road ......................................................................................................... 12
3 Trafficway with Multiple Roadways in the Same Direction ............................................................... 13
4 Driveway Access ............................................................................................................................... 23
5 Intersection ........................................................................................................................................ 24
6 Gore .................................................................................................................................................. 25-27
7 Interchange Accidents ....................................................................................................................... 30
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 – 2007
ii
Seventh Edition Revised and New D16.1 Definitions
Revised from 6
th
Edition New for Seventh Edition
Ref# Description Ref# Description
2.1.3 Transport device 2.2.6.1 Personal conveyance
2.1.4 Transport vehicle 2.2.7.1 Low speed vehicle
2.2.1 Trafficway 2.2.7.2 Working motor vehicle
2.2.7 Motor vehicle 2.2.7.3 Commercial motor vehicle
2.2.9.1 Motor-driven cycle 2.2.10.1 Small bus
2.2.10 Bus 2.2.10.2 Large bus
2.2.11 Utility vehicle 2.2.10.3 Transit bus
2.2.12 Automobile 2.2.10.4 Intercity bus
2.2.14.1 Passenger van 2.2.10.5 Charter bus
2.2.17 Semitrailer 2.2.10.6 Other bus
2.2.18 Full trailer 2.2.14.4 Van-based bus
2.2.19 Single-unit truck 2.2.23.1 Gross combination weight
rating
2.2.22 Gross vehicle weight 2.2.34.1 Not in-transport
2.2.23 Gross vehicle weight rating 2.2.34.2 Parked motor vehicle
2.2.24 Light truck 2.4.3.1 Police pursuit
2.2.25 Medium truck 2.5.9.1 Driveway
2.2.29 Median 2.5.23 Turn lane
2.2.34 In-transport 2.5.24 Work zone
2.2.36 Pedestrian 2.7.4.1 Driveway access related
accident
2.2.42 Traffic unit 2.7.8 Work zone accident
2.4.5 Cataclysm 2.9.1 Commerce
2.4.9 Transport accident 2.9.2 Interstate commerce
2.4.18 Traffic accident 2.9.3 Intrastate commerce
2.4.19 Nontraffic accident 2.9.4 Motor carrier
2.5.9 Driveway access 2.9.5 Hazardous materials
2.7.4 Driveway access accident 2.9.5.1 Hazardous materials placard
3.9.2 Categories (classification of
motor vehicles by type)
2.9.6 At work
3.9.3 Categories (classification of
trucks by configuration)
3.9.4 Categories (classification of
buses by configuration)
3.9.4.1 Categories (classification of
buses by use)
3.14 Classification of Persons by
Work Status
3.15 Classification of Accidents by
Work Status
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 - 2007
iii
Foreword
(This foreword is not part of American National Standard, Manual on Classification of Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents, Seventh
Edition)
The purpose of this American National Standard is to provide a common language for reporters, classifiers, analysts and users
of traffic accident data. The Manual on Classification of Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents and its predecessor, Uniform Definitions
of Motor Vehicle Accidents, have provided classification assistance for more than half a century.
The Manual is designed to facilitate the development of data on accidents involving motor vehicles and other road vehicles in
and out of traffic. It is a standard for statistical classifications of motor vehicle traffic accidents for nationwide use.
The principal changes in this Seventh Edition are the incorporation of new definitions/classifications and a number of
modifications to existing definitions/classifications (see “Seventh Edition Revised and New D16.1 Definitions” chart on page ii.)
Evidence of consensus on this standard is obtained through the ANSI committee method. The D16.1 Committee on
Classification of Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents, also called a Consensus Body, includes diverse representation from data
producers and processors, government and non-government data users, and general interest. Although membership in the
Association of Transportation Safety Information Professionals (ATSIP) is not required to be on the Consensus Body, many
members are active in this group that represents many facets of the profession. Consensus Body members are listed on the
next page. Recommendations for additional qualified members are welcome.
Many users of the Manual have had questions about its interpretation or its application in unusual situations. The ANSI
Committee is particularly interested in questions which help to identify problems in the Manual or subjects that need more
detailed coverage. In addition, suggestions for improvement of the Manual are actively solicited and may be submitted at any
time. Please submit questions or comments to the Committee Chairman, Kenneth Hackman, National Institute for Safety
Research, Inc., 326 Hill Top Road, Oakland, MD, 21550, or to the National Safety Council, 1121 Spring Lake Drive, Itasca, IL,
60143-3201. When submitting questions or comments, please include a telephone number where you may be contacted should
additional information or clarification be required.
Kenneth D. Hackman, Chairman Secretariat: D16 Committee
David J. Bozak, Secretary National Safety Council
1121 Spring Lake Drive
Itasca, IL 60143-3201
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 – 2007
iv
D16.1 7
th
Edition Consensus Body Members
The following members of the D16.1 Consensus Body participated in the review and voting of the Seventh Edition's new and
revised definitions and classifications:
Kenneth D. Hackman, National Institute for Safety Research, Inc. – Chairman, D16.1 Committee
Betsy Benkowski, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Data Analysis and Information Systems
Dan Blower, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, Transportation Safety Analysis
Dave Bozak, InfoGroup Inc.
Linda Butler, Tennessee Department of Safety, Crash Analysis & Reporting Section
John Carrico, Kentucky State Police
Richard Conard, Massachusetts Highway Department
Rocco Domenico, Colorado State Patrol
Russell Dunwiddie, Missouri State Highway Patrol, General Headquarters
Scott R. Falb, Iowa Department of Transportation, Office of Driver Services
Dennis Flemons, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Center for Statistics and Analysis
Carl Gonder, State of Alaska Department of Transportation
Robert Hagge, California Department of Motor Vehicles, Research and Development Branch
Jackie Haus, Utah Traffic Records Coordinating Committee/CODES
Larry Holestine, Data Nexus Inc.
Tom Hollingsworth, Ohio Department of Public Safety
Tim Kerns, University of Maryland – Baltimore, National Study Center – Trauma & EMS
Robert Lung, Honolulu Police Department, Traffic Division
Dan Magri, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Planning Division
Chuck Miller, Louisiana Highway Safety Commission
Robert Scopatz, Data Nexus Inc.
William H. Shanks, Alabama Department of Public Safety, Public Information/Education Unit, FARS Section
Brian Tefft, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Research
Joan L. Vecchi, Colorado Motor Vehicle Department
Carol Wright, American Trauma Society
Although not members of the voting Consensus Body, the following individuals provided their considerable expertise in the
development of the 7
th
Edition’s new and revised definitions and the balloting procedure.
John McDonough, National Institute for Safety Research, Inc.
Deborah Trombley, National Safety Council
Sandra Hackman, National Institute for Safety Research, Inc.
Creighton Miller, Retired – South Dakota Department of Transportation
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 - 2007
1
Manual on Classification of Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents
1 Introduction
The primary purpose of the Manual on Classification of
Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents is to promote uniformity
and comparability of motor vehicle traffic accident statistics
now being developed in Federal, state and local
jurisdictions.
The definitions in this Manual are related, but not
necessarily identical, to the definitions found in the Uniform
Vehicle Code; Manual of the International Statistical
Classification of Diseases, Injuries and Causes of Death
(ICD); United States Code, Title 23, Highways; and the
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, ANSI D6.1e-
1989. These documents were developed for a variety of
purposes. This variety is reflected in the definition of terms;
similar terms do not necessarily have similar definitions.
The body of the Manual is divided into two sections, one
containing definitions and one containing classification
instructions. The definitions are presented in an order
which avoids dependence upon special terms not
previously defined. In addition, an attempt has been made
to make every definition complete; modifications of
definitions are not introduced intentionally in subsequent
sections or subsections.
The use of this standard does not require the use of all
classifications described in the Manual or prohibit the use
of additional classifications. Accident report forms and
summaries should, however, be compatible with the
Manual to permit compilation and comparison of
information collected in different jurisdictions.
Nothing in this Manual is to be construed as a requirement
for accident reporting or investigation. Reporting
requirements which govern drivers or police are generally
established by state law or city ordinance, while
requirements for investigation are ordinarily specified in
investigative agencies.
The assignment of accidents to a geographical location,
such as a city, county or state, does not imply that the
jurisdiction is responsible for such accidents or that it could
have prevented them. Such arbitrary assignments indicate
only that the accidents occurred within the geographical
limits of the jurisdiction.
2 Definitions
2.1 Transport Vehicles and
Transport Ways
2.1.1 person: A person is any living human. Within the
context of this manual, a fetus is considered to be part of a
pregnant woman rather than a separate individual. After
death, a human body is not considered to be a person.
2.1.2 property: Property is any physical object other
than a person.
Inclusions:
— Real property, personal property
— Animal — wild or domestic
— Sign, guardrail, impact attenuator
2.1.3 transport device: A transport device is any
device designed primarily for moving persons or property
along with the device itself from one place to another,
except (1) a weapon, (2) a device used primarily within the
confines of a building and its premises, or (3) a personal
conveyance.
Inclusions:
— Airplane
— Helicopter
— Hovercraft
— Ship
— Submarine
— Train
— Boxcar
— Caboose
— Snowmobile
— Farm Tractor
— Automobile (See 2.2.12)
— Van (See 2.2.14)
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 – 2007
2
— Utility Vehicle (See 2.2.11)
— Bus (See 2.2.10)
— Truck (See 2.2.13-2.2.26)
— Trailer (See 2.2.15)
— Semitrailer (See 2.2.17)
— Motorcycle (See 2.2.9)
— Bicycle
— Moped (See 2.2.9.4)
Exclusions:
— Devices not designed primarily for moving
persons or property for transportation purposes,
such as construction machinery, farm or industrial
machinery, army tanks, etc.
— Devices which do not move from one place to
another, such as pipelines, elevators, escalators,
ski lifts, conveyor belt systems, etc.
— Weapons, such as guns, torpedoes, etc.
— Devices used primarily within buildings and their
premises, such as fork lifts in factories or lumber
yards, motorized baggage trucks in railroad
stations, etc.
— Human-powered, non-motorized devices not
propelled by pedaling, such as skis, scooters,
roller skates, baby carriages, etc.
— Personal conveyances
2.1.4 transport vehicle: A transport vehicle consists of
one or more devices or animals and their load. Such
devices or animals shall include at least one of the
following:
1.) 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,
2.) An animal or team of animals while in use for
moving person or property other than the animal
or team itself from one place to another, or
3.) 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 or animal
If the load upon a transport device includes another
transport device, the entire unit including the load is
considered to be a single transport vehicle.
Inclusions:
1.) Transport Devices
— Airplane towing a sailplane
— Tugboat pushing a barge
— Boxcar coupled to a caboose
— Truck tractor towing a semitrailer and a trailer
(See 2.2.21)
— Automobile or ATV towing a person on skates,
skateboard, sled or bicycle
— Snowmobile towing a skier
— Automobile towing another automobile
2.) Animals
— Horse and rider
— Dog team drawing a sled
— Team of horses drawing a sled
— Burro carrying a load of firewood
— Mule towing a boat on a canal
3.) Other Movable Devices
— Road grader while traveling under its own power
from a maintenance depot to a working place
— Any mower while being ridden down a street
under its own power
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 - 2007
3
— Farm tractor while pulling a wagon loaded with
corn from a field to a storage place
— Army tank while moving under its own power from
a firing range to a motor pool
2.1.5 aircraft: An aircraft is a transport vehicle designed
primarily for, or in use for, moving persons or property
through the air from one place to another.
Inclusions:
— Airplane
— Balloon
— Dirigible
— Glider
— Parachute
— Spacecraft
2.1.6 watercraft: A watercraft is a transport vehicle
designed primarily for, or in use for, moving persons or
property on or through, and supported by, water from one
place to another.
2.1.7 land vehicle: A land vehicle is a transport vehicle
which is neither an aircraft nor a watercraft.
2.1.8 transport way: A transport way is any way or
place reserved or commonly used for the operation of
transport vehicles.
Exclusions:
— Hiking trail, sidewalk, footpath
2.1.9 airway: An airway is a transport way reserved
primarily for use by aircraft taking off, in flight, or landing.
2.1.10 waterway: A waterway is a transport way
reserved primarily for use by watercraft.
2.1.11 land way: A land way is the space within property
lines or other boundary lines of any transport way that is
neither an airway nor a waterway.
2.2 Land Ways, Land Vehicles
and Users
2.2.1 trafficway: A trafficway is any land way open to
the public as a matter of right or custom for moving
persons or property from one place to another (See Figure
1).
Figure 1 – Trafficway (See 2.2.1, 2.2.28-2.2.33)
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 – 2007
4
Inclusions:
— Within areas with guarded entrances, such as
military posts or private residential developments,
land ways are trafficways if the guards customarily
admit public traffic
— Privately constructed and/or maintained road open
to the public for moving persons or property for
transportation purposes
— Local road in a residential development, which is
open to the public
— Land way providing vehicular access and/or
circulation from a trafficway to a business open to
the public (See 2.5.22)
Examples:
1.) Land way within a gated community when the
gates are open to the public
2.) Circulating system of roadways in the land
way of a shopping center or shopping mall which
provides public access to the parking lots
3.) A road providing access to the public from the
trafficway to the parking lot of a major chain store
4.) A road with unrestricted access in a private
retirement community
Exclusions:
— A land way under construction is not a trafficway if
traffic is prohibited from entering by signing or
barriers which are in conformance with applicable
standards. However, if any part of the land way is
open to traffic while the remainder is closed, that
part which is open for traffic is a trafficway.
Likewise, any temporary bypass of a construction
site is a trafficway.
— A land way temporarily closed to travel and
marked by signing or barriers which are in
conformance with applicable standards is not a
trafficway even though used by authorized
vehicles, such as maintenance vehicles, or when
intentionally or inadvertently used by unauthorized
vehicles. A land way open only to local traffic is
not considered closed.
— Road in a gated community that is only open to
residents and their guests
— Land way not open to the public
— Parking space and parking aisle (See 2.5.22)
Examples:
1.) Driveway to a residence or business
2.) Military base or gated community with restricted
access
3.) Parking aisle providing entry to parking spaces or
stalls
2.2.2 private way: A private way is any land way other
than a trafficway. The space within a crossing of a private
way and a trafficway shall be considered to be a trafficway.
2.2.3 railway: A railway is any private way reserved
primarily for land vehicles moving persons or property from
one place to another on rails.
2.2.4 railway vehicle: A railway vehicle is any land
vehicle that is (1) designed primarily for, or in use for,
moving persons or property from one place to another on
rails and (2) not in use on a land way other than a railway.
Inclusions:
— Street car on private way
Exclusions:
— Street car operating on trafficway (See 2.2.8)
2.2.5 railway train: A railway train is any motorized
railway vehicle.
2.2.6 road vehicle: A road vehicle is any land vehicle
other than a railway vehicle. (See 2.2.7 and 2.2.8)
2.2.6.1 personal conveyance: A personal conveyance is
a device, other than a transport device, used by a pedes-
trian (See 2.2.36) for personal mobility assistance or recre-
ation. These devices can be motorized or human powered,
but not propelled by pedaling.
Inclusions:
1.) Rideable toys
— Roller skates, in-line skates
— Skateboard
— Skates
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 - 2007
5
— Baby Carriage
— Scooter
— Toy Wagon
2.) Motorized rideable toys
— Motorized skateboard
— Motorized toy car
3.) Devices for personal mobility assistance
— Segway-style device
— Motorized and non-motorized wheelchair
— Handicapped scooter
Exclusions:
— Golf cart
— Low Speed Vehicle (LSVs) (See 2.2.7.1)
— Go-carts
— Minibike
— "Pocket" motorcycle
— Motor scooter
— Moped (See 2.2.9.4)
2.2.7 motor vehicle: A motor vehicle is any motorized
(mechanically or electrically powered) road vehicle not
operated on rails (See 2.2.7.1, 2.2.7.2, 2.2.9 - 2.2.26).
Inclusions:
— Electrically powered bus attached to cables
— Trolley on highway tires
— Low speed vehicle (LSVs) (See 2.2.7.1)
— Motor-driven cycle (See 2.2.9.1)
— All working motor vehicles (See 2.2.7.2)
Examples:
1.) A tow truck using its winch to pull a vehicle
out of a ditch
2.) Electric or telephone company truck with
cherry picker repairing cables on a utility pole
3.) Road paint striping truck in the process of
painting lines on the roadway
4.) Garbage truck being loaded with trash
Exclusions:
— Motorized personal conveyance (See 2.2.6.1)
Examples:
1.) Motorized skate board
2.) Motorized toy car
3.) Motorized wheelchair or handicapped scooter
4.) Segway-style device
2.2.7.1 low speed vehicle: A low speed vehicle (LSV) is
a motor vehicle with four or more wheels whose top speed
is greater than 20 miles per hour, but not greater than 25
miles per hour.
LSVs are required to be equipped with basic items of
safety equipment: headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal
lamps, tail lamps, reflex reflectors, parking brake,
windshields of either type AS-1 or AS-5 glazing, rearview
mirrors, seat belts and vehicle identification numbers
(VINs).
Inclusions:
— A conventional golf cart that was modified, after its
original manufacture, so as to increase its top
speed into the 20-25 mph range
— An originally manufactured custom golf cart (that
is not a modified conventional golf cart) that has a
top speed above 20 mph but not greater than 25
miles per hour
1
Examples:
1.) Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV)
2.) Fleet golf carts sold to golf courses that have
been speed-modified to increase their top speed
into the 20-25 mph range
3.) Personal golf carts sold to individual persons
that have been speed-modified or originally
manufactured to achieve a top speed above 20
mph but not greater than 25 miles per hour
1
LSVs will be subject to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
(FMVSS), No. 500, Low Speed Vehicles.
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 – 2007
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4.) Other low speed motor vehicle designed for
transport on local streets
Exclusions:
— Conventional golf cart not modified or originally
custom manufactured to achieve top speeds
above 20 mph
— Automobile
— Any personal conveyance (See 2.2.6.1)
— Any size slow moving farm tractor/equipment
Examples:
1.) A golf cart used solely to carry one or more
people and golf equipment to play golf, sold to golf
courses
2.) A golf cart used to carry one or more people
and may carry golf equipment to play golf, sold to
individual persons who may use them to travel on
trafficways to and from golf courses and to play
golf, to travel on trafficways for purposes
unrelated to golf, or for all of these purposes
3.) A golf cart that has been speed-modified after
its manufacture or originally custom manufactured
to achieve top speeds greater than 25 mph
4.) Motorized wheelchair
5.) Motorized skateboard
6.) Motorized handicapped scooter
7.) Personal transport devices such as the
Segway
2.2.7.2 working motor vehicle: A working motor vehicle
is a motor vehicle in the act of performing construction,
maintenance or utility work related to the trafficway. This
"work" may be located within open or closed portions of the
trafficway and motor vehicles performing these activities
can be within or outside of the trafficway boundaries.
Inclusions:
— Vehicle at work in a marked work zone
— Vehicle at work on the median, shoulder or
roadside.
— Mobile maintenance convoy
— A law enforcement vehicle which is participating
strictly in a stationary construction or mobile
maintenance activity as a traffic slowing, control,
signaling or calming influence
Examples:
1.) Asphalt roller working in a highway
construction zone
2.) State highway maintenance crew mowing
grass on roadside
3.) Utility truck performing maintenance on the
power lines along the roadway
4.) A private excavating company contracted by
the state digging the foundation for a new
overpass
Exclusions:
— Vehicle performing a private construction/
maintenance activity
— Law enforcement vehicle performing other work
activities, such as traffic stops, accident
investigation, patrolling and traffic control, which is
not related to construction, maintenance or utility
work on the trafficway
— Vehicle performing a work activity other than
highway construction, maintenance or utility work
— Construction, maintenance, utility vehicle while
moving from one job site to another
Examples:
1.) An excavation company digging a foundation
for a new building
2.) Garbage truck, delivery truck, taxi, emergency
vehicle, tow truck, etc.
2.2.7.3 commercial motor vehicle: A commercial motor
vehicle is any motor vehicle used for the transportation of
goods, property or people in interstate (See 2.9.2) or
intrastate (2.9.3) commerce.
Inclusions:
— Motor vehicle providing transportation of goods,
property, or people for compensation (for-hire)
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 - 2007
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— Privately-owned motor vehicle providing
transportation of privately-owned goods or
property in furtherance of a business enterprise
— Privately-owned motor vehicle providing
passenger transportation in furtherance of a
business enterprise
Examples:
1.) A trucking company hauling a manufacturing
company's goods for a fee
2.) A motor coach transporting passengers within
and between cities and towns
3.) A truck or truck tractor owned by an individual
truck driver used to carry goods or property under
contract
4.) An airport shuttle bus service paid to transport
persons to hotels and other businesses
5.) A manufacturing company hauling its own
products to retail stores
6.) A retail store delivering products to its buyers
7.) A business engaged in the transportation of
students to and from school and school-related
activities
8.) An agricultural farm hauling its produce to
market
9.) A taxi or limousine service transporting
passengers for a fee
Exclusions:
— Privately owned motor vehicle providing private
transportation of personal property or people
Examples:
1.) A non-commercial horse rancher transporting
hay bales from his pasture on one side of the road
to his stables on the other side in a medium truck
2.) Homeowner carrying recyclables to a drop-off
point in a personally owned pickup truck greater
than 10,000 lbs.
3.) Large family of 10 persons taking a trip in the
family's 12-person van
2.2.8 other road vehicle: An other road vehicle is any
road vehicle other than a motor vehicle.
Inclusions:
— Animal-drawn vehicle (any type)
— Animal harnessed to a conveyance
— Animal carrying a person
— Street car (See 2.2.4)
— Pedalcycle (See 2.2.27)
2.2.9 motorcycle: A motorcycle is any motor vehicle
having a seat or saddle for the use of its operator and
designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact
with the ground.
Inclusions:
— Large motorcycle (See 2.2.9.2)
— Motor-driven cycle (See 2.2.9.1)
— Speed-limited motor-driven cycle (See 2.2.9.3)
— Moped (See 2.2.9.4)
— Motor scooter
— Motorized or motor-assisted bicycle
Exclusions:
— Construction, farm or industrial machinery
2.2.9.1 motor-driven cycle: A motor-driven cycle is any
motorcycle having an engine with less than 150 cubic
centimeters displacement or with five brake horsepower or
less.
Inclusions:
— Moped (See 2.2.9.4)
— Miniature motorcycle (e.g.,” Pocket Bike")
2.2.9.2 large motorcycle: A large motorcycle is any
motorcycle other than a motor-driven cycle.
2.2.9.3 speed-limited motor-driven cycle: A speed-
limited motor-driven cycle is any motor-driven cycle which:
1.) will not attain a speed of more than 30 miles per
hour (48 kilometers per hour) in one mile (1.609
kilometers) from a standing start,
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 – 2007
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2.) has an engine with not more than 50 cubic
centimeters displacement or with two brake
horsepower or less, and
3.) has a power drive system which does not require
its operator to shift gears.
2.2.9.4 moped: A moped is a speed-limited motor-driven
cycle which may be propelled by pedaling.
Exclusions:
— Motor scooter
— Motorized or motor-assisted bicycles
2.2.10 bus: A bus is a motor vehicle with seating for
transporting nine or more persons, including the driver.
Inclusions:
— Van-based bus (See 2.2.14.4)
— Small bus (See 2.2.10.1)
— Large bus (See 2.2.10.2)
— School bus designed to carry nine or more
persons, including the driver (See 2.8.1)
— Transit bus (See 2.2.10.3)
— Intercity bus (See 2.2.10.4)
— Charter bus (See 2.2.10.5)
— Other bus (See 2.2.10.6)
— Limousine designed for carrying nine or more
persons, including the driver
Exclusions:
— Any school bus that is not designed for carrying
nine or more persons
— Any school bus that is an automobile or truck (See
2.8.1)
— Any school bus that is a van or utility vehicle that
is not designed for carrying nine or more persons,
including the driver
— Recreation vehicle, motorhome and van-based
motorhome
— Limousine not designed for carrying nine or more
persons
2.2.10.1 small bus: A small bus is a bus with seating for
nine to fifteen persons, including the driver.
Inclusions:
— Van-based bus (See 2.2.14.4)
— Limousine with seating for nine to fifteen persons,
including the driver
— Utility vehicle with nine or more seats
2.2.10.2 large bus: A large bus is a bus with seating for
sixteen or more persons, including the driver.
2.2.10.3 transit bus: A transit bus is a bus used for
passenger transportation over fixed, scheduled routes
within primarily urban geographical areas.
Inclusions:
— Bus that includes service within a city and
between cities that share borders
Examples:
1.) City metro or ride-on bus
2.) Trolley (on highway tires)
2.2.10.4 intercity bus: An intercity bus is a bus used for
long-distance passenger transportation between cities over
fixed routes with regular schedules.
Inclusions:
— Cross-country bus
— Bus service between cities some distance apart,
not cities that share borders.
Examples:
1.) Greyhound or Trailways bus
2.2.10.5 charter bus: A charter bus is a bus providing
contract service for a group tour or outing, usually on a
round-trip basis.
Inclusions:
— Limousine designed for carrying nine or more
persons, including the driver.
2.2.10.6 other bus: An other bus is any bus used for
transportation purposes other than school bus, transit bus,
intercity bus or charter bus.
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Inclusions:
— Private company providing transportation services
for its own employees and others (hotel shuttles,
etc.)
— Non-governmental organization (such as churches
and non-profit groups)
— Non-educational unit of government (such as
departments of corrections)
2.2.11 utility vehicle: A utility vehicle is a motor vehicle
other than a motorcycle or large bus consisting primarily of
a transport device designed for carrying persons, and
generally considered a multi-purpose vehicle that is
designed to have off-road capabilities. These vehicles are
generally four-wheel-drive (4 x 4) and have increased
ground clearance. A utility vehicle typically has a gross
vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less.
Utility vehicles with wheelbases greater than 88 inches are
classified by overall width. The wheelbase and overall
width should be rounded to the nearest inch.
Primary size categories are:
Mini — the wheelbase is less than or equal to 88
inches. These are typically a microcar with a high
clearance, off-road capability.
Small — the wheelbase is greater than 88 inches.
Overall width is less than or equal to 66 inches. These
are typically a short wheelbase and narrow tracked
multi-purpose vehicle.
Midsize — the wheelbase is greater than 88 inches.
Overall width is greater than 66 inches, but less than
75 inches. These are typically a multi-purpose vehicle
designed around a shortened pickup truck chassis.
Full-size — the wheelbase is greater than 88 inches.
Overall width is from 75 inches to less than or equal to
80 inches. These are typically a multi-purpose vehicle
designed around an enlarged pickup truck chassis.
Large — the wheelbase is greater than 88 inches.
Overall width is more than 80 inches. These are
typically a multi-purpose vehicle designed around an
enlarged pickup truck chassis.
Inclusions:
— Small bus
Examples:
Small utility vehicle — S-10, Blazer, Wrangler,
Ranger, Jimmy, Tracker
Midsize utility vehicle — Cherokee, Comanche,
Yukon, Typhoon, Explorer, Escape, Envoy,
Sorrento, Element, Axiom, Rodeo, Mountaineer,
Xterra
Full-size utility vehicle — Blazer, Suburban,
Bronco, F-Series, Sierra, Land Cruiser, Pathfinder
Armada, Ascender, Pilot, Escalade, Expedition,
Excursion, Yukon
Large utility vehicle — Hummer, Navigator
Small bus — Utility vehicles with more than nine
seats; i.e., Chevy Suburban, Ford Excursion, Ford
Expedition, GMC Yukon XL, Chevy Tahoe
Exclusions:
— Four-wheel-drive automobiles (See 2.2.12) are not
considered utility vehicles
2.2.12 automobile: An automobile is a motor vehicle
other than a motorcycle, utility vehicle or low speed vehicle
consisting of a transport device typically designed for
carrying eight or fewer persons. Automobiles may be
classified by size or weight, or both. Size classification is
based on wheelbase. Weight classification is based on
curb weight, the weight of an automobile with standard
equipment and a full complement of fuel and other fluids,
but with no load of persons or property. Before
classification, wheelbase should be rounded to the nearest
inch and curb weight should be rounded to the nearest 100
pounds.
Primary size categories are:
Small — wheelbase 99 inches (2.51 meters) or less
Midsize — wheelbase 100 to 109 inches (2.54 to 2.77
meters)
Large — wheelbase 110 inches (2.79 meters) or more
Primary weight categories are:
Light — curb weight 2400 pounds (1089 kilograms) or
less
Midweight — curb weight 2500 to 3400 pounds (1134
to 1542 kilograms)
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Heavy — curb weight 3500 pounds (1588 kilograms)
or more
Secondary size and weight categories may be developed
by subdivision of the primary categories. (See 3.10 and
3.11.)
2.2.13 truck: A truck is a motor vehicle designed
primarily for carrying property.
Inclusions:
— Single-unit truck (See 2.2.19)
— Truck combination (See 2.2.21)
Exclusions:
— Truck tractor (See 2.2.18)
2.2.14 van: A van is a motor vehicle consisting primarily
of a transport device which has a gross vehicle weight
rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less and is basically a
“box on wheels” that is identifiable by its enclosed
passenger and/or cargo area, step-up floor, and relatively
short (or non-existent) hood. Vans are classified by size
based on frame type and overall vehicle body width. Before
classification, vehicle width should be rounded to the
nearest inch.
Primary size categories are:
Minivan — Unibody van: The body and frame are one
integral unit.
Small — Frame-based small vans: The overall body
width is from 72 inches to less than or equal to 78
inches. These are frame-based standard cargo vans
or passenger vans.
Midsize — Frame-based midsize vans: The overall
body width is from more than 78 to less than or equal
to 80 inches. These are frame-based midsize cargo
vans or passenger vans.
Large — Frame-based large vans: The overall body
width is more than 80 inches. These are frame-based
large cargo vans or passenger vans.
Inclusions:
— Passenger van (See 2.2.14.1)
— Cargo van or delivery van (See 2.2.14.2)
— Van-based motorhome (See 2.2.14.3)
Exclusions:
— Utility Vehicle
Examples:
1.) Minivan — Caravan, Voyager, Transport,
Lumina
2.) Small — Astro Van, Safari
3.) Midsize — Vandura, Econoline
4.) Large — Step van
2.2.14.1 passenger van: A passenger van is any van
where the area behind the driver or cab is designed for
carrying passengers.
Inclusions:
— Some automobiles (See 2.2.12)
— Minivan
— Van-based bus (See 2.2.14.4)
Exclusions:
— Cargo van (See 2.2.14.2)
2.2.14.2 cargo van: A cargo van is any van where the
area behind the driver or cab is designed for transporting
cargo or operated for general commercial use.
Inclusions:
— Some single-unit trucks (See 2.2.19.)
2.2.14.3 van-based motorhome: A van-based motor-
home is any van where a frame-mounted recreational unit
is added behind the driver or cab area.
2.2.14.4 van-based bus: A van-based bus is any
passenger van designed for carrying nine or more persons,
including the driver.
Examples:
1.) Full-sized passenger van with nine seats or
more, including the driver
2.) Van cutaway or cab-chassis with nine or more
seats, including the driver
Exclusions:
— Any limousine
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 - 2007
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2.2.15 trailer: A trailer is a road vehicle designed to be
drawn by another road vehicle.
Inclusions:
— Pole trailer (See 2.2.16)
— Semitrailer (See 2.2.17)
— Full trailer (See 2.2.18)
2.2.16 pole trailer: A pole trailer is a trailer designed to
be attached to the towing road vehicle by means of a reach
or pole, or by being boomed or otherwise secured to the
towing road vehicle, and ordinarily used for carrying
property of a long or irregular shape such as poles, pipes
or structural members that are generally capable of
sustaining themselves as beams between the supporting
connections.
2.2.17 semitrailer: A semitrailer is a trailer, other than a
pole trailer, designed for carrying property and so
constructed that part of its weight rests upon or is carried
by the towing road vehicle.
2.2.18 full trailer: A full trailer is a trailer, other than a
pole trailer, designed for carrying property and so con-
structed that no part of its weight rests upon or is carried by
the towing road vehicle. An auxiliary undercarriage
assembly, commonly known as a converter dolly and
consisting of a chassis, fifth wheel and one or more tow
bars, is sometimes used to convert a semitrailer to a full
trailer. A semitrailer equipped with a converter dolly is
considered to be a full trailer.
2.2.19 single-unit truck: A single-unit truck is a truck
consisting primarily of a single motorized transport device
designed for carrying property. When connected to a
trailer, such a device may be part of a truck combination.
(See 2.2.21)
Examples:
1.) Two-axle, four-tire truck
2.) Two-axle, six-tire truck
3.) Three or more axle truck
Exclusions:
— Truck tractor
— Truck combination
2.2.20 truck tractor: A truck tractor is a motor vehicle
consisting of a single motorized transport device designed
primarily for drawing trailers.
2.2.21 truck combination: A truck combination is a truck
consisting primarily of a transport device which is a single-
unit truck or truck tractor together with one or more
attached trailers.
Inclusions:
— Truck tractor with semitrailer
— Truck tractor with semitrailer and one or more full
trailers
— Single-unit truck with one or more full trailers
2.2.22 gross vehicle weight (GVW): Gross vehicle
weight is the actual weight of a road vehicle including the
weight of the road vehicle, its load of persons and property,
and all added equipment.
2.2.23 gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR): A gross
vehicle weight rating is the value specified by the
manufacturer as the recommended maximum loaded
weight of a single motor vehicle. This rating includes the
maximum rated capacity of a vehicle, including the base
vehicle, mounted equipment and any cargo and
passengers. Most of the time, GVWR is the sum of the
maximum rated capacity of the axles of the vehicle.
Inclusions:
— Initial or second-stage manufacturing GVWR
ratings
2.2.23.1 gross combination weight rating (GCWR):
Gross combination weight rating is the value specified by
the manufacturer(s) as the recommended maximum loaded
weight of a combination (articulated) motor vehicle. This is
for truck tractors and single-unit trucks pulling a trailer(s).
GCWR is the sum of the gross vehicle weight ratings
(GVWR) of all units; power unit and its trailer(s).
2.2.24 light truck: A light truck is a truck which has a
gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds
(4,536 kilograms) or less.
2.2.25 medium truck: A medium truck is a truck which
has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than
10,000 pounds and less than or equal to 26,000 pounds
(4,536 to 11,793 kilograms).
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2.2.26 heavy truck: A heavy truck is a truck which has a
gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000
pounds (11,793 kilograms).
2.2.27 pedalcycle: A pedalcycle is a non-motorized
other road vehicle propelled by pedaling.
Inclusions:
— Bicycle, tricycle, unicycle, pedalcar
2.2.28 roadway: A roadway is that part of a trafficway
designed, improved and ordinarily used for motor vehicle
travel or, where various classes of motor vehicles are
segregated, that part of a trafficway used by a particular
class. Separate roadways may be provided for northbound
and southbound traffic or for trucks and automobiles (See
Figure 1).
Exclusions:
— Bridle path, bicycle path
NOTE — the above definition of “roadway” is consistent with
definitions in general use by police and by traffic engineers. See
the Uniform Vehicle Code and the Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices (ANSI D6.1e-1989, page 1A-8). Other highway
engineers commonly use the term "roadway" as the term “road”
is defined in 2.2.33 below. See AASHO Highway Definitions,
American Association of State Highway Officials (now AASHTO,
American Association of State Highway and transportation
Officials), January 1968. For a more recent reference, see the
definition of “shoulder” in A Policy on Geometric Design of
Highways and Streets, AASHTO, 1984, page 362.
2.2.29 median: A median is an area of a trafficway
between parallel roads separating travel in opposite
directions (See Figure 1). A flush or painted median should
be four or more feet wide between inside roadway edge
lines. Medians fewer than four feet wide shall have a
barrier to be considered a median. Continuous left-turn
lanes are not considered painted medians.
Inclusions:
— Physical barrier separating roads with travel in
opposite directions
— Depressed, raised or flush area between roads
with travel in opposite directions
— Painted median of four or more feet wide between
roads with travel in opposite directions
Examples:
1.) A depressed grassy median separating
directions of travel of a divided highway
2.) A median with a concrete traffic barrier,
guardrail or other physical barrier, separating
roads of a multi-lane divided highway
3.) A flush painted median of four or more feet of
a divided highway
Exclusions:
— Shoulder, separator (See 2.2.30)
— Turn lane (See 2.5.23)
— Continuous left-turn lane
Figure 2 – Trafficway with Frontage Road (See 2.2.1, 2.2.28-2.2.33)
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 - 2007
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Figure 3 – Trafficway with Multiple Roadways in the Same Direction (See 2.2.1, 2.2.28-2.2.33)
2.2.30 separator: A separator is the area of a trafficway
between parallel roads separating travel in the same
direction or separating a frontage road (See 2.5.18) from
other roads (See Figures 2 and 3).
Inclusions:
— Physical barrier separating roads with travel in the
same direction
— Physical barrier separating a frontage road from
other roads of a trafficway
— Depressed, raised or flush area between roads
with travel in the same direction
— Depressed, raised or flush area between a
frontage road and other roads of a trafficway
Exclusions:
— Shoulder, median
Examples:
1.) A depressed grassy separator of a freeway
between the main travel lanes and a frontage road
2.) A concrete separator between the express
travel lanes and local travel lanes of a freeway
2.2.31 roadside: Roadside is the outermost part of the
trafficway from the property line or other boundary in to the
edge of the first road (See Figure 1).
Inclusions:
— Area between edge of trafficway and edge of
roadway with no shoulder
— Area between edge of trafficway and edge of
shoulder
Exclusions:
— Roadways, shoulders, separators and medians
2.2.32 shoulder: A shoulder is that part of a trafficway
contiguous with the roadway for emergency use, for
accommodation of stopped road vehicles, and for lateral
support of the roadway structure (See Figure 1).
2.2.33 road: Road is that part of a trafficway which
includes both the roadway and any shoulder alongside the
roadway (See Figure 1).
Inclusions:
— Designated parking areas on a roadway or
between the roadway and the curb
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2.2.34 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 on a roadway or in motion within or
outside the trafficway.
A transport vehicle which is also a working motor vehicle at
the time of the unstabilized situation is not "in-transport."
In roadway lanes used for travel during some periods and
for parking during other periods, a parked motor vehicle
should be considered to be in-transport during periods
when parking is forbidden.
Inclusions:
— Motor vehicle in traffic on a roadway
— Driverless motor vehicle in motion on the
shoulder, roadside or median
— Motionless or disabled motor vehicle abandoned
on a roadway
— Motor vehicle in motion outside the trafficway
— A stopped motor vehicle with any portion of its
primary outline as defined by the four sides of the
vehicle (e.g., tires, bumpers, fenders) and load, if
any, within the roadway
Examples:
1.) A driverless vehicle previously parked on the
shoulder begins to roll forward because the
parking brake was not set
2.) A stopped vehicle partially on the shoulder with
two tires on the roadway
3.) A tractor trailer with its load hanging over the
roadway edge line
4.) A person deliberately driving an all-terrain-
vehicle (ATV) down a median or the roadside
5.) A police vehicle patrolling or responding to an
emergency
6.) A police or emergency vehicle stopped on the
roadway at the scene of an accident or traffic stop
or other police action, regardless of whether or not
the emergency lights have been activated
7.) Construction, maintenance or utility work
vehicle traveling on a trafficway from one work site
to another location
8.) Taxi, limousine or other passenger vehicle,
with or without passengers while on the roadway
or in motion on a trafficway
9.) A school bus stopped in a travel lane with
signs and/or lights activated
10.) A private citizen using his pickup truck or
lawn tractor with a blade removing snow from the
roadways in his neighborhood (Not a highway
maintenance activity)
11.) A farm tractor or combine moving from a
storage facility to a field under its own power on
the trafficway
12.) A moving motor vehicle on a private driveway
13.) A car pulling away from a gas pump in a gas
station
14.) An ATV driving on a recreational off-road trail
inside or outside the trafficway
15.) A vehicle operating in the closed portion of
the trafficway
16.) A van left unattended in a lane during rush
hour when parking is prohibited because it is in an
open travel lane at the time
Exclusions:
— Transport vehicle stopped off the roadway within
the trafficway
— Transport vehicle stopped in parking lanes during
periods when parking is allowed
— Transport vehicle performing construction,
maintenance or utility work related to the work
zone of a trafficway
— A stopped motor vehicle with any portion of its
primary outline as defined by the four sides of the
vehicle (e.g., tires, bumpers, fenders) and load, if
any, not within the roadway
Examples:
1.) A disabled utility vehicle stopped on the
shoulder, median or roadside
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2.) An automobile parked in an area designated
for parking against the curb of a residential street
or in a parking space/lane
3.) A truck stopped on the shoulder where only the
extended side-view mirror overhangs the roadway
edge line
4.) A power company truck working on the power
lines in an elevated basket in a maintenance work
zone
5.) A paint striping highway truck in the act of
painting the lines in a mobile maintenance zone
6.) A concrete mixer discharging its load of
concrete in a construction work zone
7.) An asphalt spreader or roller repaving the
roadway
8.) A highway road grader overturns grading a
soft, sloped roadside
9.) Highway snow removal truck removing or
plowing snow as part of a highway maintenance
activity
2.2.34.1 not in-transport: Not in-transport means any
transport vehicle which is not "in-transport."
Inclusions:
— Legally parked transport vehicles off the roadway
— Motionless vehicles off the roadway
— Working motor vehicles (See 2.2.7.2)
Examples:
1.) A stopped vehicle on the shoulder to change a
tire
2.) An asphalt spreader or roller repaving the
roadway
3.) A car stopped at the exit of a gas station
waiting to enter the roadway
4.) A pickup stopped on a private driveway
5.) A car legally parked against the curb on a
residential street
6.) A parked truck completely on the shoulder of a
road
Exclusions:
— Transport vehicles in-transport
2.2.34.2 parked motor vehicle: A parked motor vehicle is
a motor vehicle not in-transport, other than a working motor
vehicle, that is not in motion and not located on the
roadway.
In roadway lanes used for travel during some periods and
for parking during other periods, a parked motor vehicle
should be considered to be in-transport during periods
when parking is forbidden.
Inclusions:
— Any stopped motor vehicle where the entirety of
the vehicle's primary outline as defined by the four
sides of the vehicle (e.g., tires, bumpers, fenders)
and load, if any, is not within the roadway
Examples:
1.) A driver of vehicle stopped curbside on a city
street opens his door into the travel lane
2.) A truck stopped on the shoulder where only the
extended side-view mirror overhangs the roadway
edge line
3.) A motionless vehicle on the shoulder, median
or roadside
4.) A truck stopped at a gas station pump
5.) A car stopped in a private driveway
6.) A van parked in a metered parking lane, even
when the meter time has expired
Exclusions:
— A motor vehicle in motion anywhere within the
trafficway boundaries or any vehicle that has any
portion of its primary outline or load, if any,
overlapping or falling completely within the
roadway
— A motor vehicle left unattended on a roadway,
where parking is always prohibited
Examples:
1.) A vehicle driving down the road shoulder,
median or roadside
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2.) A driverless motor vehicle without engine
power starts in motion from a stopped position on
the shoulder
3.) A stopped vehicle partially on the shoulder with
two tires on the roadway
4.) A tractor trailer with part of its load extending
over the roadway edge line
5.) A van left unattended in a lane during rush
hour when parking is prohibited because it is in an
open travel lane at that time
6.) A delivery service leaves his truck stopped at
the curb of a street marked with "no parking at any
time" signs while making his delivery
2.2.35 occupant: An occupant is any person who is part
of a transport vehicle.
2.2.36 pedestrian: A pedestrian is any person who is not
an occupant.
Inclusions:
— Person on foot.
— Person walking, running, jogging, hiking, sitting or
lying within the trafficway or on private property,
etc.
— Persons in buildings
— Person on personal conveyance (See 2.2.6.1)
— A person ejected from a transport vehicle who has
come to rest in the trafficway during a prior
unstabilized situation and struck in a second or
subsequent unstabilized situation is considered a
pedestrian
Exclusions:
— A person ejected from a transport vehicle during
one unstabilized situation is still considered an
occupant and not a pedestrian for the purposes of
that unstabilized situation.
2.2.37 driver: A driver is an occupant who is in actual
physical control of a transport vehicle or, for an out-of-
control vehicle, an occupant who was in control until control
was lost.
2.2.38 passenger: A passenger is any occupant of a
road vehicle other than its driver.
2.2.39 pedalcyclist: A pedalcyclist is any occupant of a
pedalcycle in-transport.
2.2.40 motorist: A motorist is any occupant of a motor
vehicle in-transport.
2.2.41 non-motorist: A non-motorist is any person other
than a motorist.
Inclusions:
— Pedestrians
— Occupants of motor vehicles not in-transport
— Occupants of transport vehicles other than motor
vehicles
2.2.42 traffic unit: A traffic unit is a land vehicle or a
pedestrian.
Inclusions:
— Motor vehicles in-transport (See 2.2.34), motor
vehicles not in-transport (See 2.2.34.1), railway
trains
— Pedestrians and pedalcyclists
— Other non-motorists
2.2.43 bikeway: A bikeway is that part of a trafficway
specifically designated as being open for pedalcycle travel
or, where various classes of pedalcycle are segregated,
that part of a trafficway open for a particular class. (See
2.2.28)
2.2.44 bicycle trail: A bicycle trail is a bikeway reserved
exclusively for pedalcycles and separated from roadways
by open space or barriers.
2.2.45 bicycle lane: A bicycle lane is a bikeway which
(1) is contiguous with a parallel roadway and (2) has been
designated for preferential or exclusive use by pedalcycles.
2.2.46 shared road: A shared road is any bikeway which
is part of a roadway, but not a bicycle lane.
2.3 Injuries and Damage
2.3.1 injury: An injury is bodily harm to a person.
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Exclusions:
— Effects of diseases such as stroke, heart attack,
diabetic coma, epileptic seizure
2.3.2 fatal injury: A fatal injury is any injury that results
in death. (See 3.1.3)
2.3.3 fatality: A fatality is any death resulting from a
fatal injury. (See 3.1.3)
2.3.4 incapacitating injury: An incapacitating injury is
any injury, other than a fatal injury, which prevents the
injured person from walking, driving or normally continuing
the activities the person was capable of performing before
the injury occurred.
Inclusions:
— Severe laceration
— Broken or distorted limb
— Skull or chest injury
— Abdominal injury
— Unconsciousness at or when taken from the
accident scene
— Unable to leave the accident scene without
assistance
Exclusions:
— Momentary unconsciousness
2.3.5 nonincapacitating evident injury: A nonin-
capacitating evident injury is any injury, other than a fatal
injury or an incapacitating injury, which is evident to
observers at the scene of the accident in which the injury
occurred.
Inclusions:
— Lump on head, abrasions, bruises, minor
lacerations
Exclusions:
— Limping (the injury cannot be seen)
2.3.6 possible injury: A possible injury is any injury
reported or claimed which is not a fatal injury,
incapacitating injury or nonincapacitating evident injury.
Inclusions:
— Momentary unconsciousness
— Claim of injuries not evident
— Limping, complaint of pain, nausea, hysteria
2.3.7 damage: Damage is harm to property that
reduces the monetary value of that property.
Inclusions:
— Harm to wild animals, or birds, which have
monetary value
Exclusions:
— Harm to wild animals, or birds, which have no
monetary value
— Harm to a snow bank unless, for example,
additional snow removal costs are incurred
because of the harm
— Mechanical failure during normal operation, such
as tire blowout, broken fan belt or broken axle
2.3.8 road vehicle damage: Road vehicle damage is
damage to a road vehicle.
Inclusions:
— Damage to any part of a road vehicle
Exclusions:
— Injury to any person, whether or not the person is
part of the road vehicle
2.3.9 motor vehicle damage: Motor vehicle damage is
road vehicle damage to a motor vehicle.
2.3.10 other-road-vehicle damage: Other-road-vehicle
damage is road vehicle damage to an other road vehicle.
2.3.11 disabling damage: Disabling damage is road
vehicle damage which precludes departure of the vehicle
from the scene of the accident in its usual operating
manner by daylight after simple repairs.
Inclusions:
— Vehicle which could be driven but would be further
damaged thereby
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Exclusions:
— Damage which can be remedied temporarily at the
scene without special tools or parts other than
tires
— Tire disablement without other damage even if no
spare tire is available
— Headlamp or taillight damage, which would make
night driving hazardous but would not affect
daytime driving
— Damage to turn signals, horn or windshield wipers
which makes them inoperative
2.3.12 functional damage: Functional damage is any
road vehicle damage, other than disabling damage, which
affects operation of the road vehicle or its parts.
Inclusions:
— Door, window, hood or trunk lid which will not
operate properly
— Broken glass which obscures vision
— Any damage which would prevent the motor
vehicle from passing an official motor vehicle
inspection
— Tire damage even though the tire may be
changed at the scene
— Bumper which is loose
Exclusions:
— Dented or bent fender, bumper, grill, body panel;
destroyed hubcap
2.4 Accidents
2.4.1 harmful event: A harmful event is an occurrence
of injury or damage.
Inclusions:
— Injury or damage resulting when a driver dies or
loses consciousness because of a disease
condition such as a stroke, heart attack, diabetic
coma or epileptic seizure. In such a case the
immediate effect of the disease, such as the
driver's death or loss of consciousness, is not
itself considered to be a harmful event.
2.4.2 deliberate intent: Deliberate intent is the
classification given to the cause of an event which occurs
when a person acts deliberately to cause the event or
deliberately refrains from prudent acts which would prevent
occurrence of the event.
Inclusions:
— Suicide
— Self-inflicted injury
— Homicide
— Injury or damage purposely inflicted
Exclusions:
— Injury or damage beyond that which was intended
Examples:
1.) When a driver intentionally kills or injures
himself with a motor vehicle, by driving it against a
fixed object or into a body of water, for example,
the driver's death or injury is a result of deliberate
intent.
2.) When a driver intentionally kills or injures
another person with a motor vehicle, by running
into a pedestrian, for example, the death or injury
is a result of deliberate intent.
3.) When a driver intentionally causes damage
with a motor vehicle, by ramming another vehicle,
for example, the damage is a result of deliberate
intent.
2.4.3 legal intervention: Legal intervention is a cate-
gory of deliberate intent in which the person who acts or
refrains from acting is a law-enforcing agent or other
official.
Examples:
1.) If a lawbreaker crashes either intentionally or
unintentionally into a road block set up by police
to stop him, the crash is considered a result of
legal intervention. If a driver other than the
lawbreaker crashes into the road block, the crash
is not considered to be a result of legal
intervention.
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2.) If a police car is intentionally driven into
another vehicle, the crash is considered to result
from legal intervention. If a lawbreaker being
pursued by the police loses control of his vehicle
and crashes, the crash is not considered to result
from legal intervention unless the police intended
that the lawbreaker crash.
3.) If during the course of the pursuit, the police
vehicle strikes a road vehicle other than the
subject of the pursuit, a non-motorist or property,
then that harmful event is not legal intervention.
2.4.3.1 police pursuit: A police pursuit is an event that is
initiated when a law enforcement officer, operating an
authorized emergency vehicle, gives notice to stop to a
motorist the officer is attempting to contact, and that
motorist fails to comply with the signal by either maintaining
his/her speed, increasing speed, or taking other evasive
action to elude the officer's continued attempts to stop the
motorist. This notice needs to be either through the use of
visual or audible emergency signals, including alternating
flashing headlights, or a combination of emergency
devices. A pursuit is terminated when the motorist stops, or
when the attempt to apprehend is discontinued.
2.4.4 unstabilized situation: An unstabilized situation
is a set of events not under human control. It originates
when control is lost and terminates when control is
regained or, in the absence of persons who are able to
regain control, when all persons and property are at rest.
Exclusions:
— Sets of events which are the result of deliberate
intent or legal intervention
Examples:
1.) If intentional acts cause injury or damage
beyond that reasonably to be expected from the
acts, the unexpected injury or damage is not the
result of deliberate intent. There is, therefore, an
unstabilized situation unless the contrary can be
clearly established.
2.) In a motor vehicle crash live electric wires fall
on a motor vehicle, but there is no injury from the
electric current while the occupants remain in the
motor vehicle. The unstabilized situation ends with
the occupants in a temporary position of safety.
Any subsequent injury resulting from attempts by
the occupants to leave the motor vehicle, or
attempts by others to rescue the occupants, is a
part of a new unstabilized situation.
3.) In a motor vehicle crash the occupants of the
motor vehicle are carried or thrown into water, but
there is no injury from the submersion and the
occupants reach a temporary position of safety. At
this point the unstabilized situation has ended.
Any subsequent injury from attempts by the
occupants to reach shore, or from attempts by
others to rescue the occupants is part of a new
unstabilized situation.
4.) In a motor vehicle crash objects are loosened
but remain in place until all persons are removed
from danger from objects that might fall or roll. No
property damage would result if the objects fell or
rolled. This ends the unstabilized situation. Any
subsequent injury attributable to the fall or roll of
the loosened objects is not part of the original
unstabilized situation.
5.) In a motor vehicle crash the motor vehicle
catches on fire and is burning, but all occupants
have been rescued and the fire is under control.
No additional property damage is expected. This
is the end of the unstabilized situation. If the heat
of the fire ignites nearby combustible materials,
any subsequent injury or damage from the
induced ignition is not a part of the original
unstabilized situation.
6.) In a motor vehicle crash an involved motor
vehicle carrying explosive materials is stopped
and occupants and bystanders are removed from
the scene. At this point the unstabilized situation
is ended. If the explosive materials detonate
during later attempts to remove or salvage them,
any injury or damage resulting from the explosion
is not a part of the original unstabilized situation.
7.) A pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle in-
transport which leaves the scene. The pedestrian
comes to rest in the roadway. Any subsequent
injury resulting from contact with another motor
vehicle in-transport is part of a new unstabilized
situation.
8.) A pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle and
thrown into the path of another motor vehicle and
the pedestrian is struck a second time before
coming to rest. There is only one unstabilized
situation.
9.) A motor vehicle in-transport brakes, attempting
to avoid a pedestrian crossing the roadway. The
motor vehicle in-transport strikes the pedestrian.
At the same time (i.e., when the first vehicle
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started to brake and before it came to rest), a
second motor vehicle in-transport swerves to
avoid a collision with the braking vehicle, striking a
utility pole. The two motor vehicles in-transport do
not strike each other, but these events are all
within one unstabilized situation.
NOTE — if thorough investigation fails to establish whether an
accident scene is the result of one or more unstabilized
situations, then it should be treated as a single unstabilized
situation.
2.4.5 cataclysm: A cataclysm is an avalanche,
landslide/mudslide, hurricane, cyclone, downburst, flood,
torrential rain, cloudburst, lightning, tornado, tidal wave,
earthquake or volcanic eruption (See 2.4.9 transport
accident).
The following are typical definitions of cataclysms:
—
Avalanche: A mass of snow, rock and/or ice falling
down a mountain or incline. (Source: National
Weather Service)
—
Landslide/Mudslide: Fast moving soil, rocks and
water that flow down hills, mountain slopes and
canyons. (Source: National Weather Service)
— Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with surface winds in
excess of 32 m/s (64 knots or 74 mph) in the
Western Hemisphere. There are various regional
names for these storms. (Source: National
Weather Service.)
— Cyclone: A large-scale circulation of winds around
a central region of low atmospheric pressure,
counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.
(Source: National Weather Service) To qualify as
a Cataclysm, the winds must be 74 mph or
greater.
— Downburst: A strong downdraft current of air from
a cumulonimbus cloud, often associated with in-
tense thunderstorms. Downdrafts may produce
damaging winds at the surface. To qualify as a
Cataclysm, the winds must be 74 mph or greater.
—
Flood: The inundation of a normally dry area
caused by an increased water level in an
established watercourse, such as a river, stream
or drainage ditch. A flash flood can be caused by
a Cloudburst or Torrential Rainfall that occurs in a
short period of time, generally less than six hours.
Also, at times a dam failure can cause a flash
flood, depending on the type of dam and time
period during which the break occurs.
— Lightning: A visible electrical discharge produced
by a thunderstorm. The discharge may occur
within or between clouds, between the cloud and
air, between a cloud and the ground or between
the ground and a cloud. (Source: National
Weather Service)
— Tornado: A violently rotating column of air, usually
pendant to a cumulonimbus, with circulation
reaching the ground. It nearly always starts as a
funnel cloud and may be accompanied by a loud
roaring noise. On a local scale, it is the most
destructive of all atmospheric phenomena.
— Earthquake: Shock waves detectable and some-
times causing violent tremors at the earth's sur-
face, generally originating by movements along
deep seated fault planes.
— Volcanic Eruption: Formed by the partial melting
of existing rock and dissolved gases; the liberation
of this gas and magma under considerable
pressure is considered an eruption. Products of
the volcanic eruption include lava flows,
pyroclastic materials (volcanic glass), volcanic
dust/ash and gases.
Inclusions:
— Any wind above the minimum speed associated
with a category one hurricane (75 mph or more)
— Damage produced by very large hail
Exclusions:
— Natural events not listed above
Examples:
1.) Rain, snow, fog, small hail, ice, smog, etc.
2.) Winds below the minimum speed associated
with a category one hurricane (74 mph or less)
3.) A few small falling rocks not associated with a
landslide or avalanche
4.) An old tree falling only due to a rotting root
system
5.) Shallow standing water
2.4.6 accident: An accident is an unstabilized situation
which includes at least one harmful event.
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2.4.7 contact vehicle: A contact vehicle is any road
vehicle which comes in contact with one or more road
vehicles, non-motorists or property in a collision accident,
or has a noncollision accident. A contact vehicle is directly
involved in an accident. (See 2.6.2 Collision accident and
2.6.3 Noncollision accident.)
2.4.8 noncontact vehicle: A noncontact vehicle is any
vehicle other than a contact vehicle. A noncontact vehicle
is indirectly involved in an accident.
Examples:
1.) A vehicle changes lanes into the path of another
vehicle (without making contact) causing an accident.
The vehicle changing lanes is a noncontact vehicle.
2.) A school bus is stopped on the roadway picking up
or discharging pupils and one of the pupils is struck
without the school bus being struck. The school bus is
a noncontact vehicle.
3.) A pedestrian darts into the roadway causing a
motor vehicle to stop suddenly without striking the
pedestrian. A following vehicle swerves to avoid the
stopped vehicle and collides with a fixed object. The
first vehicle is a noncontact vehicle.
2.4.9 transport accident: A transport accident is an
accident (1) that involves a transport vehicle in-transport,
(2) in which the first harmful event is not produced by the
discharge of a firearm or explosive device, and (3) that
does not directly result from a cataclysm where the timing
is such that the cataclysm is occurring at the time of the
accident. (See 2.4.5 Cataclysm)
Inclusions:
— An accident occurring as a result of natural events
which is not a cataclysm.
— An accident related to a cataclysm, but occurring
after the cataclysm has ended
Examples:
1.) Motor vehicle driven into water after a
hurricane or flood because a bridge was washed
out by the hurricane or flood (after a cataclysm
has ended)
2.) Motor vehicle driven into fallen materials
covering a roadway after a landslide or avalanche
(after a cataclysm has ended)
3.) Motor vehicle driven into fallen tree in roadway
after a tornado or hurricane (after a cataclysm has
ended)
4.) After an earthquake, a motor vehicle in-
transport drives into a hazard created by buckled
or collapsed features of the roadway left behind
after the earthquake is over (after a cataclysm has
ended)
5.) A tree branch from a rotted tree or a tree with a
deteriorated root structure falls across several
motor vehicles in the roadway from winds below
74 mph or more (less than a category one
hurricane)
6.) 25 mph wind propels a trash can from a city
sidewalk into a passing motor vehicle
7.) A motor vehicle is struck by loosened,
deteriorated or previously damaged parts that fall
from an overpass as it passes under (there is no
cataclysm)
8.) The scaffolding at a building under
construction collapses and falls on a motor vehicle
traveling on the roadway adjacent to the building
(there is no cataclysm)
9.) Power lines or overhead traffic signal falling
on a motor vehicle in-transport (there is no
cataclysm)
Exclusions:
— Accidents occurring as a direct result of and
during a cataclysm
Examples:
1.) Motor vehicle is swept away while a bridge it
was crossing is washed out during a hurricane or
flood (accident directly results from a cataclysm)
2.) Motor vehicle is struck and damaged by falling
materials (rock and earth or snow) of significant
size or amount to be a landslide or avalanche
(accident directly results from a cataclysm)
3.) Motor vehicle on roadway is struck by a wind-
blown tree during a tornado or winds of 74 mph or
more (accident directly results from a cataclysm)
4.) A motor vehicle in-transport suffers damage
because of structures collapsing, buckling or
shifting during an earthquake (accident directly
results from a cataclysm)
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 – 2007
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5.) A motor vehicle in-transport suffers damage
from golf-ball-sized hail during a tornado
6.) Motor vehicle sustains damage from very large
rain drops during torrential rain
2.4.10 aircraft accident: An aircraft accident is a
transport accident that involves an aircraft in-transport.
2.4.11 watercraft accident: A watercraft accident is a
transport accident if it (1) involves a watercraft in-transport
and (2) is not an aircraft accident.
2.4.12 motor vehicle accident: A motor vehicle accident
is a transport accident that (1) involves a motor vehicle in-
transport, (2) is not an aircraft accident or watercraft
accident, and (3) does not include any harmful event
involving a railway train in-transport prior to involvement of
a motor vehicle in-transport.
Exclusions:
— Any school bus accident in which no school bus is
directly involved and which involves no other
motor vehicle (See 2.8.2)
Examples:
1.) If a child approaching a school bus, stopped
with its red lights flashing, is struck by a
pedalcycle, but neither the pedalcycle nor the
child come in contact with the school bus, then
there is (1) a school bus accident that is not a
motor vehicle accident and (2) an other road
vehicle accident (collision involving pedestrian).
2.4.13 railway accident: A railway accident is a
transport accident that (1) involves a railway train in-
transport and (2) is not an aircraft accident, watercraft
accident or motor vehicle accident.
2.4.14 other-road-vehicle accident: An other-road-
vehicle accident is a transport accident that (1) involves an
other road vehicle in-transport and (2) is not an aircraft
accident, watercraft accident, motor vehicle accident or
railway accident.
2.4.15 street car accident: A street car accident is an
other-road-vehicle accident that involves a street car in-
transport.
2.4.16 pedalcycle accident: A pedalcycle accident is an
other-road-vehicle accident that (1) involves a pedalcycle
in-transport and (2) is not a street car accident.
2.4.17 road vehicle accident: A road vehicle accident is
a transport accident that is either a motor vehicle accident
or an other-road-vehicle accident.
2.4.18 traffic accident: A traffic accident is a road
vehicle accident in which (1) the unstabilized situation
originates on a trafficway or (2) a harmful event occurs on
a trafficway.
Exclusions:
— A road vehicle in-transport has both its
unstabilized situation and harmful events on a
private way
2.4.19 nontraffic accident: A nontraffic accident is a
road vehicle accident which is not a traffic accident.
Inclusions:
— A road vehicle in-transport has both its
unstabilized situation and harmful events on a
private way
2.4.20 road vehicle traffic accident: A road vehicle
traffic accident is a traffic accident.
2.4.21 road vehicle nontraffic accident: A road vehicle
nontraffic accident is a nontraffic accident.
2.4.22 motor vehicle traffic accident: A motor vehicle
traffic accident is a motor vehicle accident which is a traffic
accident.
2.4.23 motor vehicle nontraffic accident: A motor
vehicle nontraffic accident is a motor vehicle accident
which is a nontraffic accident.
2.4.24 other-road-vehicle traffic accident: An other-
road-vehicle traffic accident is an other-road-vehicle
accident which is a traffic accident.
2.4.25 other-road-vehicle nontraffic accident: An
other-road-vehicle nontraffic accident is an other-road-
vehicle accident which is a nontraffic accident.
2.4.26 injury accident: An injury accident is any road
vehicle accident that results in one or more injuries.
2.4.27 fatal accident: A fatal accident is any injury
accident that results in one or more fatal injuries.
2.4.28 nonfatal injury accident: A non-fatal injury
accident is any injury accident other than a fatal accident.
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 - 2007
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Figure 4 – Driveway Access (See 2.5.9)
2.4.29 noninjury accident: A noninjury accident is any
road vehicle accident other than an injury accident. A
noninjury accident is also called a property-damage-only
accident. (See 2.4.30)
2.4.30 property-damage-only accident: A property-
damage-only accident is a noninjury accident.
2.5 Location
2.5.1 urban area: An urban area is an area whose
boundaries shall be those fixed by responsible state and
local officials in cooperation with each other and approved
by the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of
Transportation. Such boundaries are established in accor-
dance with the provisions of Title 23 of the United States
Code. Urban area boundary information is available from
state highway or transportation departments. In the event
that boundaries have not been fixed as above for any
urban place designated by the Bureau of the Census
having a population of 5000 or more, the area within
boundaries fixed by the Bureau of the Census shall be an
urban area.
2.5.2 rural area: A rural area is any area which is not
within urban areas.
2.5.3 Interstate System: The Interstate System is the
National System of Interstate and Defense Highways as
defined in Section 101, Title 23, United States Code.
2.5.4 interstate highway: An Interstate highway is a
trafficway on the Interstate System.
2.5.5 other U.S. route numbered highway: An other
U.S. route numbered highway is a trafficway numbered by
the American Association of State Highway Officials, but
not an interstate highway.
2.5.6 other state route numbered highway: An other
state route numbered highway is a trafficway within a state
trafficway system, but not an interstate highway or other
U.S. route numbered highway.
2.5.7 county road: A county road is a trafficway within
a county trafficway system that is not an Interstate
highway, other U.S. route numbered highway, or other
state route numbered highway.
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Figure 5 – Intersection (See 2.5.10)
2.5.8 city street: A city street is a trafficway within a city
trafficway system that is not an Interstate highway, other
U.S. route numbered highway, other state route numbered
highway, or county road.
2.5.9 driveway access: A driveway access is a portion
of the trafficway at the end of a driveway (See 2.5.9.1,
providing access to property adjacent to a trafficway. (See
Figure 4)
Inclusions:
— Entrance to private residence
— Entrances to gas station
— Includes sidewalks which cross over a driveway
access
Exclusions:
— Any area not within a trafficway
2.5.9.1 driveway: A driveway is a private way which
provides vehicular access to the public from a trafficway to
property, parking or loading areas outside the boundaries
of the trafficway, but is considered to be not open to the
public for transportation purposes as a trafficway. A
driveway is outside the trafficway and is typically not
provided an official identification name or number.
Inclusions:
— A private drive providing access to a residence
— Entrance to business or other private entity not
open to the public for transportation purposes
Exclusions:
— Privately constructed and/or maintained road open
to the public for moving persons or property from
one place to another
— Parking lot (See 2.5.22), which includes parking
stalls, parking lot aisles and parking lot ways
— Entrance to business or other entity open to the
public
— Driveway access (See 2.5.9)
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Figure 6 – Gore (See 2.5.19)
2.5.10 intersection: An intersection is an area which (1)
contains a crossing or connection of two or more roadways
not classified as driveway access and (2) is embraced
within the prolongation of the lateral curb lines or, if none,
the lateral boundary lines of the roadways. Where the dis-
tance along a roadway between two areas meeting these
criteria is less than 10 meters (33 feet), the two areas and
the roadway connecting them are considered to be parts of
a single intersection (See Figure 5).
2.5.11 junction: A junction is either an intersection or the
connection between a driveway access and a roadway
other than a driveway access.
2.5.12 at-grade intersection: An at-grade intersection is
an intersection where all roadways cross or join at the
same level.
2.5.13 channelized intersection: A channelized inter-
section is an at-grade intersection in which traffic is
diverted into definite paths by raised or painted traffic
islands.
2.5.14 grade separation: A grade separation is a
crossing at different levels of two trafficways, or a trafficway
and a railway.
2.5.15 fully-controlled access highway: A fully-
controlled access highway is a trafficway on which
preference is given to through traffic by permitting access
only from other trafficways and by providing grade
separations at all crossing trafficways.
2.5.16 interchange: An interchange is a system of
interconnecting roadways in conjunction with one or more
grade separations, providing for the movement of traffic
between two or more roadways on different levels.
2.5.17 ramp: A ramp is an auxiliary roadway used for
entering or leaving through-traffic lanes.
2.5.18 frontage road: A frontage road is a roadway
generally paralleling an expressway, freeway, parkway or
through street so designed as to intercept, collect and
distribute traffic desiring to cross, enter or leave such
facility and to furnish access to property which otherwise
would be isolated as a result of controlled-access features.
The frontage road may be within the same trafficway as the
main roadway or in a separate trafficway.
2.5.19 gore: A gore is an area of land where two
roadways diverge or converge. The area is bounded on
two sides by the edges of the roadways, which join at the
point of divergence or convergence. The direction of traffic
shall be the same on both sides of these roadways. The
area includes shoulders or marked pavement, if any,
between the roadways. The third side is 60 meters
(approximately 200 feet) from the point of divergence or
convergence or, if any other road is within 70 meters (230
feet) of that point, a line 10 meters (33 feet) from the
nearest edge of such road (See Figure 6).
Ra
m
p
Shoulder
S
h
o
u
l
d
e
r
Sh oulder
Main Roadway
A.
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Figure 6 – Gore (continued) (See 2.5.19)
Inclusions:
— Area at rest area entry or exit ramp
— Area at truck weigh station entry or exit ramp
— Area where two main roadways diverge or
converge
— Area where a ramp and another roadway, or two
ramps, diverge or converge
— Area where a frontage road and another roadway,
or two frontage roads, diverge or converge
Exclusions:
— Island for channelization of vehicle movements
— Island for pedestrian refuge
2.5.20 curb return: A curb return is the curved section of
curb used at intersections in joining straight sections of
curb.
2.5.21 crosswalk: A crosswalk is (1) that part of a
roadway at an intersection included within the connections
of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the
roadway measured from the curbs or, in the absence of
curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway, or (2)
any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere
distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other
markings on the surface of the roadway.
2.5.22 parking lot: A parking lot is an area used
primarily for parking road vehicles. When paved and
marked, it commonly includes the following areas:
1.) Parking stalls — areas reserved primarily for
parked road vehicles
2.) Parking lot aisles — areas used primarily for
vehicular access to parking stalls. Parking lot
aisles are not trafficways.
3.) Parking lot ways — land ways which are used
primarily for vehicular circulation within parking
lots and for vehicular access to parking lot aisles.
Parking lot ways in parking lots open to the public
are trafficways.
2.5.23 turn lane: A turn lane is a lane exclusively
designated for vehicles turning from one trafficway to
another.
Inclusions:
— Continuous left-turn lane
Exclusions:
— Through travel lanes
D.
Shoulder
Shoulder
Shoulder
Shoulder
Shoulder
Shoulder
Frontage Road
Main Roadway
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2.5.24 work zone: A work zone is an area of a trafficway
where construction, maintenance or utility work activities
are identified by warning signs/signals/indicators, including
those on transport devices (e.g., signs, flashing lights,
channelizing devices, barriers, pavement markings,
flagmen, warning signs and arrow boards mounted on the
vehicles in a mobile maintenance activity) that mark the
beginning and end of a construction, maintenance or utility
work activity.
It extends from the first warning sign, signal or flashing
lights to the END ROAD WORK sign or the last traffic
control device pertinent for that work activity.
Work zones also include roadway sections where there is
ongoing, moving (mobile) work activity such as lane line
painting or roadside mowing only if the beginning of the
ongoing, moving (mobile) work activity is designated by
warning signs or signals.
Inclusions:
The following situations within the trafficway:
— Long-term stationary construction such as building
a new bridge, adding travel lanes to the roadway,
extending an existing trafficway, etc. (construction
activity/work)
— Work involving moving activities such as striping
the roadway, median and roadside grass mowing/
landscaping, pothole repair, snowplowing, lane
line painting, etc., where there are warning signs
or signals marking the beginning of the moving
work area (Mobile maintenance activity/work)
— Short-term stationary work such as repairing/
maintaining electric, gas, water lines or traffic
signals (Utility activity/work)
— Areas identified by signage as a work zone where
the ongoing work activity has temporarily paused
Exclusions:
— Any private construction, maintenance or utility
work outside the trafficway
— Any area of the trafficway where there is moving
maintenance activity (e.g., roadside grass
mowing/landscaping, pothole repair, snowplowing,
lane line painting) without warning signs or signals
— Citizen removing snow from the trafficway as a
neighborly gesture
— Area identified by signage, where the activity has
not begun or is completed
2.6 Road Vehicle Accident Types
2.6.1 overturning accident: An overturning accident is
a road vehicle accident in which the first harmful event is
the overturning of a road vehicle.
2.6.2 collision accident: A collision accident is a road
vehicle accident other than an overturning accident in
which the first harmful event is a collision of a road vehicle
in-transport with another road vehicle, other property or
pedestrians.
2.6.3 noncollision accident: A noncollision accident is
any road vehicle accident other than a collision accident.
Inclusions:
— Overturning accident (See 2.6.1)
— Jackknife accident (See 2.6.4)
— Accidental poisoning from carbon monoxide
generated by a road vehicle in-transport
— Breakage of any part of a road vehicle in-
transport, resulting in injury or in further property
damage
— Explosion of any part of a road vehicle in-transport
— Fire starting in a road vehicle in-transport
— Fall or jump from a road vehicle in-transport
— Occupant hit by an object in, or thrown against
some part of a road vehicle in-transport
— Injury or damage from moving part of a road
vehicle in-transport
— Object falling from, or in, a road vehicle in-
transport
— Object falling on a road vehicle in-transport
— Toxic or corrosive chemicals leaking out of a road
vehicle in-transport
— Injury or damage involving only the road vehicle
that is of a noncollision nature, such as a bridge
giving way under the weight of a road vehicle,
striking holes or bumps on the surface of the
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trafficway, or driving into water, without
overturning or collision
2.6.4 jackknife accident: A jackknife accident is a
noncollision accident in which the first harmful event results
from unintended contact between any two units of a multi-
unit road vehicle such as a truck combination.
2.6.5 collision involving pedestrian: A collision in-
volving pedestrian is a collision accident in which the first
harmful event is the collision of a pedestrian and a road
vehicle in-transport.
2.6.6 collision involving motor vehicle in-transport:
A collision involving motor vehicle in-transport is an
accident that is both a motor vehicle accident and a
collision accident in which the first harmful event is the
collision of two or more motor vehicles in-transport.
2.6.7 collision involving other road vehicle
in-transport: A collision involving other road vehicle in-
transport is an accident that is both an other-road-vehicle
accident and a collision accident in which the first harmful
event is the collision of two or more other road vehicles in-
transport.
2.6.8 collision involving parked motor vehicle: A
collision involving parked motor vehicle (See 2.2.34.2) is a
collision accident in which the first harmful event is the
striking of a motor vehicle not in-transport (See 2.2.34.1) by
a road vehicle in-transport (See 2.2.34).
2.6.9 collision involving railway vehicle: A collision
involving railway vehicle is a collision accident in which the
first harmful event is the collision of a road vehicle in-
transport and a railway vehicle.
2.6.10 collision involving pedalcycle: A collision
involving pedalcycle is an accident that is both a motor
vehicle accident and a collision accident in which the first
harmful event is the collision of a pedalcycle in-transport
and a motor vehicle in-transport.
2.6.11 collision involving animal: A collision involving
animal is a collision accident in which the first harmful
event is the collision of an animal, other than an animal
powering an other road vehicle, and a road vehicle in-
transport.
2.6.12 collision involving fixed object: A collision
involving fixed object is a collision accident in which the
first harmful event is the striking of a fixed object by a road
vehicle in-transport. Fixed objects include such objects as
guardrails, bridge railings or abutments, construction
barricades, impact attenuators, trees, embedded rocks,
utility poles, ditches, steep earth or rock slopes, culverts,
fences and buildings.
2.6.13 collision involving other object: A collision
involving other object is any collision accident other than a
(1) collision involving pedestrian, (2) collision involving
motor vehicle in-transport, (3) collision involving other road
vehicle in-transport, (4) collision involving parked motor
vehicle, (5) collision involving railway vehicle, (6) collision
involving pedalcycle, (7) collision involving animal, or (8)
collision involving fixed object.
2.7 Location of Road Vehicle
Accidents
2.7.1 on-roadway accident: An on-roadway accident is
(1) a collision accident in which the initial point of contact
between colliding units in the first harmful event is within a
roadway or (2) a noncollision accident in which the road
vehicle involved was partly or entirely on the roadway at
the time of the first harmful event.
2.7.2 off-roadway accident: An off-roadway accident is
any road vehicle accident other than an on-roadway
accident.
2.7.3 at-intersection accident: An at-intersection
accident is a traffic accident in which the first harmful event
occurs within the limits of an intersection (See Figure 5).
2.7.4 driveway access accident: A driveway access
accident is a traffic accident in which the first harmful event
occurs on a driveway access (See 2.5.9) or involves a road
vehicle entering or leaving another roadway by way of a
driveway access (See Figure 4). This requires at least one
traffic unit (vehicle, pedalcyclist or pedestrian) to be
physically on the driveway access within the trafficway.
Inclusions:
— Accidents occurring on sidewalks within the
driveway access
Examples:
1) A car turning into a private residence driveway
striking a bicyclist riding on the sidewalk that
crosses over the driveway access.
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2.) A tractor trailer backing out of a business
entrance onto the trafficway, while partially on the
driveway access, is struck by a car on the
roadway.
Exclusions:
— Driveway access related accidents (See 2.7.4.1)
Examples:
1.) A car on the roadway waiting to turn into a
driveway is rear-ended by another motor vehicle
2.) A truck in the process of turning out of a
driveway, but is no longer on the driveway, strikes
a motor vehicle (or non-motorist) on the roadway
2.7.4.1 driveway access related accident: A driveway
access related accident is a traffic accident that (1) occurs
adjacent to a driveway, (2) is not a driveway access
accident and (3) results from an activity, behavior or control
related to the movement of traffic units onto or out of a
driveway.
Inclusions:
— A traffic accident, other than a driveway access
accident, which occurs at the connection of a
driveway and a roadway and is related to the
driveway access
Figure 7 – Interchange Accidents (Accidents which occur within the shaded area are interchange
accidents [See 2.7.7]).
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Examples:
1.) A car on the roadway waiting to turn into a
driveway is rear-ended by another motor vehicle
2.) A truck in the process of turning out of a
driveway, but is no longer on the driveway, strikes
a motor vehicle (or non-motorist) on the roadway
Exclusions:
— Driveway access accident (See 2.7.4)
2.7.5 intersection-related accident: An intersection-
related accident is a traffic accident in which the first
harmful event (1) occurs on an approach to or exit from an
intersection and (2) results from an activity, behavior or
control related to the movement of traffic units through the
intersection. (See Figure 5)
2.7.6 nonjunction accident: A nonjunction accident is
a road vehicle accident that is not an at-intersection
accident, a driveway access accident or an intersection-
related accident.
2.7.7 interchange accident: An interchange accident
is a traffic accident in which the first harmful event occurs
within boundaries which include all ramps of auxiliary
roadways and include each roadway entering or leaving
the interchange to a point 30 meters (100 feet) beyond the
gore or curb return at the outermost ramp connection.
Interchange accidents may include at-intersection
accidents, intersection-related accidents, driveway access
accidents or nonjunction accidents (See Figure 7).
2.7.8 work zone accident: A work zone accident is a
motor vehicle traffic accident in which the first harmful
event occurs within the boundaries of a work zone or on an
approach to or exit from a work zone, resulting from an
activity, behavior or control related to the movement of the
traffic units through the work zone.
Inclusions:
— Collision and noncollision accidents occurring
within the signs or markings indicating a work
zone
— Collision and noncollision accidents occurring on
approach to, exiting from, or adjacent to work
zones that are related to the work zone,
regardless of distance
Examples:
1.) An automobile on the roadway loses control
within a work zone due to a shift or reduction in
the travel lanes and crashes into another vehicle
in the work zone
2.) A van in an open travel lane strikes a highway
worker in the work zone
3.) A highway construction vehicle working on the
edge of the roadway is struck by a motor vehicle
in-transport in a construction work zone
4.) A rear-end collision accident occurs before the
signs or markings indicating a work zone caused
by vehicles slowing or stopped on the roadway
because of the work zone activity
5.) A pickup in-transport loses control in an open
travel lane within a work zone caused by a shift or
reduction in the travel lanes and crashes into
another vehicle down the road that had already
exited the work zone
6.) A tractor trailer approaching an intersection
strikes a pedestrian outside of the work zone. The
accident is caused by a lack of visibility created by
work zone equipment on the intersecting roadway
7.) A sport utility loses control and overturns on a
roadway within a work zone due to a severe lane
shift without any collision event
Exclusions:
— Accidents involving working motor vehicles that do
not involve a motor vehicle in-transport
— An accident that occurs on the opposite side of a
divided highway from the work zone, if the work
zone is not signed on the accident side of the
highway, and the accident is clearly unrelated to
the work zone
Examples:
1.) Two motor vehicles performing work in a work
zone collide
2.) A highway maintenance truck strikes a high-
way worker. Both are within the closed portion of
the work site
3.) A utility worker repairing the electrical lines
over the trafficway falls from the bucket of a cherry
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picker without being struck by a motor vehicle in-
transport
2.8 School Bus
2.8.1 school bus: A school bus is a motor vehicle used
for the transportation of any school pupil at or below the
12th-grade level to or from a public or private school or
school-related activity. A motor vehicle is not a school bus
while on trips which involve the transportation exclusively
of other passengers or exclusively for other purposes. A
motor vehicle is a school bus only if it is externally
identifiable by the following characteristics:
1.) Its color is yellow
2.) The words “school bus" appear on the front and
rear
3.) Flashing red lights are located on the front and rear
4.) Lettering on both sides identifies the school or
school district served, or the company operating
the bus
Inclusions:
— Any automobile, bus, van, utility vehicle, truck or
other vehicle which meets the above criteria
— Any such vehicle going to pick up, or returning
from delivering school pupils
Exclusions:
— Any vehicle while being used to transport non-
school pupils such as senior citizens or migrant
workers
2.8.2 school bus accident: A school bus accident is
(1) a motor vehicle accident in which a school bus, with or
without a pupil on board, is involved directly as a contact
vehicle, or (2) a motor vehicle accident or an other-road-
vehicle accident in which a school bus, with or without a
pupil on board, is involved indirectly as a noncontact
vehicle.
Inclusions:
— A collision involving motor vehicle in-transport in
which one or more school buses strike(s) or are
(is) struck by another road vehicle (directly
involved)
— A collision involving pedestrian in which a child
approaching or leaving a school bus, stopped and
with its red lights flashing, is struck and injured by
a motor vehicle (School bus indirectly involved)
— A collision accident or noncollision accident
involving a motor vehicle in-transport passing a
school bus stopped and with its red lights flashing
(The school bus is a noncontact vehicle indirectly
involved)
— A collision accident in which a child approaching
or leaving a school bus, stopped and with its red
lights flashing, is struck and injured by a
pedalcycle (School bus indirectly involved)
Exclusions:
— A collision accident or noncollision accident
involving a motor vehicle which is normally used
as a school bus, but is carrying only senior
citizens when the collision occurs
2.9 Commerce
2.9.1 commerce: Commerce is any trade, traffic or
transportation of commodities or persons for financial
consideration or exchange, or in the furtherance of a
business enterprise.
2.9.2 interstate commerce: Interstate commerce is
commerce in the United States where the transit between
the points of origin and termination does not occur entirely
within the borders of the state of origin.
Inclusions:
— Between a place in a state and place outside of
such state (including a place outside of the U.S.)
— Between two places in a state through another
state or a place outside of the U.S.
— Between two places in a state as part of trade,
traffic or transportation originating or terminating
outside the state or the U.S.
Exclusions:
— Intrastate commerce
2.9.3 intrastate commerce: Intrastate commerce is
commerce in any state where the transit between the
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points of origin and termination occurs entirely within the
borders of the state of origin.
Exclusions:
— Interstate commerce
2.9.4 motor carrier: A motor carrier is the legal
business entity, individual, partnership, corporation or
organization that directs, controls and is responsible for the
transportation of goods, property or people.
Inclusions:
— For-hire and private business entities engaged in
commerce
— Governments
— Religious organizations; i.e., churches, temples,
synagogues, mosques, etc.
— Charities
— And all other entities responsible for the
transportation of goods, property or people
2.9.5 hazardous material: Hazardous material is a
substance or material which has been designated by the
U.S. Department of Transportation, or other authorizing
entity, as capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health,
safety and property when transported in commerce. Any
motor vehicle transporting quantities of hazardous
materials in quantities above the thresholds established by
the U.S. Department of Transportation, or other authorized
entity, is required to display a hazardous materials placard
(See 2.9.5.1).
Exclusions:
— Fuel or oil carried by the vehicle for its own use
2.9.5.1 hazardous materials placard: A hazardous
materials placard is a sign required to be affixed to any
motor vehicle transporting quantities of hazardous
materials in quantities above the thresholds established by
the U.S. Department of Transportation, or other authorized
entity. This placard identifies the hazard class division
number, 4-digit hazardous material identification number,
or name of the hazardous material being transported.
2.9.6 at work: A person is at work when engaged in
duties, activities or tasks that produce a product or service;
that are done in exchange for money, goods, services,
profit or benefit; and that are legal activities in the United
States.
2
Inclusions:
— Persons who are driving or traveling as a con-
dition of employment for a work-related activity.
Examples:
1.) Truck driver driving for pay with or without
cargo
2.) Salesperson driving to a customer's office for a
sales call
3.) Sales trainee riding with the salesperson in
Example 2
4.) Clerk driving own personal vehicle at request
of supervisor to buy office supplies
5.) Self-employed construction worker hauling
materials to job site
6.) A police vehicle patrolling or responding to an
emergency
7.) Any person driving a company-owned vehicle
from their home in a work-related activity
Exclusions:
— Persons who are commuting to or from work
— Persons driving or traveling for reasons not
required by the person's employer for a work-
related activity
Examples:
1.) Truck driver using employer's truck to do
personal errands
2.) Salesperson driving home (commuting) after
last sales call of the day
3.) Sales trainee driving to second job after last
sales call of the day
4.) Clerk driving between home and office
2
This definition is adapted from the definition used in the Census
of Fatal Occupational Injuries program at the Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
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5.) Self-employed construction worker hauling
materials for use at his/her own home
6.) Any person driving a company-owned vehicle
to or from their home in a non-work-related activity
3 Classification
3.1 Classification of Persons by
Injury Severity
3.1.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe the most severe injury to any person involved in
a road vehicle accident.
3.1.2 Categories. There are five mutually exclusive
categories for classification of injured persons. In order of
precedence, these are:
— person with fatal injury
— person with incapacitating injury
— person with nonincapacitating evident injury
— person with possible injury
— person with no injury
3.1.3 Time of classification. Injuries should be
classified on the basis of conditions at the scene of the
accident. The single exception to this rule applies to fatal
injuries. If any injury results in death within a specified
period after the road vehicle accident in which the injury
occurred, the injury classification should be changed to
fatal injury. For general use in the administration of
highway safety programs, the specified period is 30 days.
This 30-day fatality counting rule is suitable for most
applications, but other fatality counting rules are sometimes
needed to meet specialized requirements. A 12-month rule
for counting fatalities is used under World Health Organ-
ization procedures adopted for vital statistics reporting in
the United States. Experience indicates that, of the deaths
from motor vehicle accidents which occur within 12 months
of those accidents, about 99.5 percent occur within 90 days
and about 98.0 percent occur within 30 days.
3.1.4 Guide to classification. The injury classification
applies to any person involved in road vehicle accidents
while either in or out of a road vehicle. The categories are
so defined that, for the most part, neither medical attention
nor special tests are required for classification.
Classification usually can be done by ordinary observation
at the time of the accident or from information submitted on
the accident report.
3.1.5 Additional guides for fatal injuries. The
underlying cause of death recorded in the medical
certification part of the death certificate determines whether
or not a death is classified as a fatal injury resulting from a
road vehicle accident. Instructions for interpretation of
information reported on death certificates are too detailed
for inclusion in this manual. Normally, the medical
examiner or coroner will be the final authority on matters
pertaining to cause of death whether or not an autopsy is
performed.
3.1.6 Alternate injury scale. A more detailed scale for
recording injuries by type and severity is available in The
Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), a publication of the
American Association for Automotive Medicine.
3.2 Classification of Road
Vehicles by Damage Severity
3.2.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe the most severe damage to any road vehicle
involved in a road vehicle accident.
3.2.2 Categories. There are four mutually exclusive
categories for road vehicle damage to motor vehicles (See
3.2.2.1) or other road vehicles (See 3.2.2.2).
3.2.2.1 Motor vehicles. In order of precedence, motor
vehicle categories by severity of damage are:
— Disabling damage to motor vehicle
— Functional damage to motor vehicle
— Other motor vehicle damage
— No damage to motor vehicle
3.2.2.2 Other road vehicles. In order of precedence,
other road vehicle categories by severity of damage are:
— Disabling damage to other road vehicle
— Functional damage to other road vehicle
— Other other-road-vehicle damage
— No damage to other road vehicle
3.2.3 Alternate damage scale. A more detailed scale
for recording damage by severity and type of impact is
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available in Vehicle Damage Scale for Traffic Accident
Investigators, a National Safety Council publication.
3.3 Accident Classification by
Transport Vehicle Type
3.3.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe the type of transport accident.
3.3.2 Categories. There are five mutually exclusive
categories for classification of transport accidents. In order
of precedence, these are:
— Aircraft accident
— Watercraft accident
— Motor vehicle accident
— Railway accident
— Other-road-vehicle accident
3.3.3 Basis for categories. The five categories of
transport accidents listed above are based upon those
used for compilation of vital statistics. Current definitions
for this purpose are given in the World Health Organization
“Manual of the International Statistical Classification of
Diseases, Injuries, and Causes of Death,” Volume I, pages
547-552 (1975 Revision, published in 1977).
3.4 Accident Classification by
Injury Severity
3.4.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe the severity of a road vehicle accident in terms
of injuries received. The accident is classified according to
the most serious injury to any person involved.
3.4.2 Categories. There are five mutually exclusive
categories of injury severity for classification of road vehicle
accidents (See 3.4.2.1). These may be reduced to three
mutually exclusive categories by combining the nonfatal
injury categories (See 3.4.2.2).
3.4.2.1 Five category set. Road vehicle accident
categories, in order of precedence, are:
— Fatal accident
— Incapacitating injury accident
— Nonincapacitating evident injury accident
— Possible injury accident
— Noninjury accident
3.4.2.2 Three category set. Road vehicle accident
categories, in order of precedence, are:
— Fatal accident
— Nonfatal injury accident
— Noninjury accident
3.4.3 General. The “noninjury accident" classification
applies only to road vehicle accidents which result in
damage but not injury.
3.5 Accident Classification by
Damage Severity
3.5.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe the severity of a road vehicle accident in terms
of damage to property.
3.5.2 Categories. There are five categories of damage
severity for classification of motor vehicle accidents (See
3.5.2.1) or other-road-vehicle accidents (See 3.5.2.2).
3.5.2.1 Motor vehicle accidents. Motor vehicle accident
categories, in order of precedence, are:
— Disabling damage accident
— Functional damage accident
— Other motor vehicle damage accident
— Other property damage accident
— No damage accident
3.5.2.2 Other-road-vehicle accidents. Other-road-vehi-
cle accident categories, in order of precedence, are:
— Disabling damage accident
— Functional damage accident
— Other other-road-vehicle damage accident
— Other property damage accident
— No damage accident
3.5.3 Interpretation. This classification does not
actually describe or measure the severity of the whole road
vehicle accident, but only the most serious damage to one
road vehicle. A motor vehicle accident in which one
motorcycle was disabled would have the same “damage
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severity" as one in which four trucks with trailers were
demolished.
3.5.4 General. The “no damage" classification applies
only when there is injury (See 2.3.1) but no damage in a
road vehicle accident; if there were neither damage nor
injury there would be no accident.
3.6 Accident Classification by
Number of Vehicles
3.6.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe a motor vehicle accident in terms of the number
of motor vehicles in-transport which are involved, or other-
road-vehicle accident in terms of the number of other road
vehicles in-transport which are involved.
3.6.2 Categories. The categories for classification of
road vehicle accidents by number of vehicles are:
— Single-vehicle accident
— Two-vehicle accident
— Three-vehicle accident
— And so on
3.6.3 Noncontact road vehicles. A noncontact (or
“phantom") road vehicle is not counted as one of the road
vehicles involved in an accident (See 2.4.8). Noncontact
vehicles may or may not be recorded on accident reports
but should not be counted when classifying accidents by
number of vehicles involved. Information about a
noncontact vehicle may be recorded for legal purposes, but
such vehicles are not counted for statistical purposes.
3.6.4 Single-vehicle accidents. Common types of
single-vehicle accidents are noncollision accidents or
collisions involving pedestrians, fixed objects, wild animals
or unrestrained domestic animals.
3.6.5 School bus. If a school bus is directly involved
(as a contact vehicle) in a motor vehicle accident, the
school bus is counted as any other motor vehicle would be.
If a school bus is indirectly involved (e.g., as a noncontact
vehicle) in a motor vehicle accident or an other-road-vehi-
cle accident, it is not counted.
3.7 Accident Classification by
First Harmful Event
3.7.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe a road vehicle accident in terms of the first
harmful event that occurred.
3.7.2 Categories. Under two broad classifications,
there are ten mutually exclusive categories for classifica-
tion of motor vehicle accidents (See 3.7.2.1) and nine
mutually exclusive categories for classification of other-
road-vehicle accidents (See 3.7.2.2).
3.7.2.1 Motor vehicle accidents. Motor vehicle accident
categories are:
— Collision accident
— Collision involving pedestrian
— Collision involving motor vehicle in-transport
— Collision involving parked motor vehicle
— Collision involving railway vehicle
— Collision involving pedalcycle
— Collision involving animal
— Collision involving fixed object
— Collision involving other object
— Noncollision accident
— Overturning accident
— Jackknife accident
— Other noncollision accident
3.7.2.2 Other-road-vehicle accidents. Other-road-
vehicle accident categories are:
— Collision accident
— Collision involving pedestrian
— Collision involving other road vehicle in-
transport
— Collision involving parked motor vehicle
— Collision involving railway vehicle
— Collision involving animal
— Collision involving fixed object
— Collision involving other object
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— Noncollision accident
— Overturning accident
— Jackknife accident
— Other noncollision accident
3.7.3 Guide to classification. The use of the first
harmful event rather than the most severe or significant
harmful event is specified for uniformity in reported road
vehicle accident statistics. For analytic purposes it may be
desirable to collect and use information about subsequent
harmful events.
3.8 Accident Classification by
Location
3.8.1 Roadway-Related Location
3.8.1.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe a road vehicle traffic accident in terms of its
location with respect to roadways.
3.8.1.2 Categories. There are two mutually exclusive
categories for classification of road vehicle traffic accidents
in terms of location with respect to roadways. These are:
— On-roadway accident
— Off-roadway accident
3.8.1.3 Inadequate information. If there is insufficient
information to determine clearly in which category a road
vehicle traffic accident belongs, classify the accident as an
on-roadway accident.
3.8.2 Junction-Related Location
3.8.2.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe a traffic accident in terms of its location with
respect to junctions.
3.8.2.2 Categories. There are four mutually exclusive
categories for classification of traffic accidents in terms of
location with respect to junctions. In order of precedence,
these are:
— At-intersection accident
— Driveway access accident
— Intersection-related accident
— Nonjunction accident
3.8.3 Administrative Class of Trafficway
3.8.3.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe a traffic accident in terms of the administrative
class of trafficway on which it occurred.
3.8.3.2 Categories. There are six mutually exclusive
categories for classification of traffic accidents by
administrative class of trafficway. In order of precedence
these are:
— Interstate highway accidents
— Other U.S. route numbered highway accidents
— Other state route numbered highway accidents
— County road accidents
— City street accidents
— All other traffic accidents
3.8.3.3 Intersections or interchanges. For traffic
accidents within intersections or interchanges, assign the
administrative class of trafficway as follows:
— In an at-intersection accident, assign the accident
to the highest class of trafficway at the
intersection.
— In an interchange accident, assign the accident to
the highest class of trafficway in the interchange
unless the accident occurs on the lower class
trafficway and does not occur at the connections
of ramps and lower class roadways. Accidents
which occur at the connections of ramps and the
lower class roadways, including those in merge
/diverge lanes, should be assigned to the highest
class trafficway in the interchange (See Figure 6)
(See also 3.8.3.4 Ramps or Frontage Roads).
3.8.3.4 Ramps or frontage roads. A ramp or connecting
road at an intersection or interchange is presumed to be
part of the highest class of trafficway with which it
connects. A frontage road is not considered to be a ramp
or connecting road.
3.8.3.5 First harmful event. The location of the first
harmful event determines the trafficway classification for
the traffic accident. When the first harmful event does not
occur on a trafficway the traffic accident should be
attributed to the class of trafficway on which the
unstabilized situation originated.
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3.8.3.6 Overlapping systems. Some sections of
trafficways are on more than one administrative system.
For example, a highway may have both a U.S. route
number and a state route number. In such a case, a traffic
accident should be assigned to the highest administrative
system at the accident location.
3.8.3.7 Inadequate information. In any case where there
is a question as to which administrative class of trafficway
a traffic accident should be assigned, it should be assigned
to the higher class.
3.8.4 Access Class of Trafficway
3.8.4.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe a traffic accident in terms of the access class of
trafficway on which it occurred.
3.8.4.2 Categories. There are two mutually exclusive
categories for classification of traffic accidents by access
class of trafficway. These are:
— Fully-controlled access highway accidents
— Other traffic accidents
3.8.4.3 Guide to classification. Classification of traffic
accidents by access class of traffficway should be
compatible with classification of accidents by administrative
class of trafficway (See 3.8.3).
3.8.5 Land Use Character
3.8.5.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe the location of a road vehicle accident in terms
of the general area in which it occurred.
3.8.5.2 Categories. There are two mutually exclusive
categories for classifying road vehicle accidents with
respect to location by land use character. These categories
are:
— Urban area accident
— Rural area accident
3.8.6 Political Subdivision
3.8.6.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe the location of a road vehicle accident in terms
of the political subdivision in which it occurred.
3.8.6.2 Categories. Any city, county, state or other
political jurisdiction is a possible category for classification
of road vehicle accident by political jurisdiction. Such
categories are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
3.8.6.3 Guide to classification. The location of the first
harmful event is presumed to be the accident location for
purposes of classification of road vehicle accidents by
political jurisdiction.
3.8.7 Bikeway-Related Location
3.8.7.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe a road vehicle traffic accident involving one or
more pedalcycles in terms of its location with respect to
bikeways.
3.8.7.2 Categories. There are four mutually exclusive
categories for classification of road vehicle traffic accidents
in terms of location with respect to bikeways. These are:
— Bicycle trail accidents
— Bicycle lane accidents
— Shared road accidents
— Non-bikeway accidents
3.8.7.3 Inadequate information. If there is insufficient
information to determine clearly in which category a road
vehicle traffic accident belongs, classify the accident as a
non-bikeway accident.
3.9 Type of Motor Vehicle
Classification
3.9.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe the type of motor vehicle involved in a motor
vehicle accident.
3.9.2 Categories. Categories for classification of motor
vehicles by type include:
— Automobile (See 3.10 and 3.11)
— Van
— Cargo Van
— Passenger Van
— Other automobile
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 - 2007
39
— Utility vehicle
— Mini
— Small
— Midsize
— Full-size
— Large
— Bus
— Van-based bus
— Small bus
— Large bus
— School bus
— Other bus
— Motorcycle (See 3.12)
— Moped
— Truck tractor
— Truck (See 3.13)
— Light truck
— Medium truck
— Heavy truck
— Single-unit truck
— Truck combination
— Single-unit truck and full trailer
— Single-unit truck and semitrailer
— Truck tractor and semitrailer
— Truck tractor, semitrailer and full trailer(s)
— Other motor vehicle
— Low Speed Vehicle
3.9.3 Categories. Categories for classification of trucks
by configuration include:
— Truck tractor
— Truck (See 3.13)
— Single-unit
— Van
— Other single-unit
— Truck
— Truck combination
— Single-unit truck and full trailer
— Single-unit truck and semitrailer
— Truck tractor and semitrailer
— Truck tractor, semitrailer and full trailer(s)
3.9.4 Categories. Categories for classification of buses
by configuration include:
— Bus
— Van-based bus
— Small bus
— Large bus
— School bus
3.9.4.1 Categories. Categories for classification of buses
by use include:
— School bus
— Transit bus
— Inter-city bus
— Charter bus
—
Other bus
3.10 Automobile Classification by
Size
3.10.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe the sizes of automobiles involved in motor
vehicle accidents.
3.10.2 Categories. There are three mutually exclusive
categories of automobile size, based on wheelbase
expressed to the nearest inch. Where a finer breakdown is
desired, the three-category set may be expanded to a
seven-category set.
3.10.2.1 Three-category set. Primary automobile size
categories are:
Small — wheelbase 99 inches (2.51 meters) or less
Midsize — wheelbase 100 to 109 inches (2.54 to 2.77
meters)
Large — wheelbase 110 inches (2.79 meters) or more
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 – 2007
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3.10.2.2 Seven-category set. Secondary automobile size
categories are:
Ultrasmall — wheelbase 89 inches (2.26 meters) or
less
Minicompact — wheelbase 90 to 94 inches (2.29 to
2.39 meters)
Subcompact — wheelbase 95 to 99 inches (2.41 to
2.51 meters)
Compact — wheelbase 100 to 104 inches (2.54 to
2.64 meters)
Intermediate — wheelbase 105 to 109 inches (2.67 to
2.77 meters)
Full-size — wheelbase 110 to 114 inches (2.79 to 2.90
meters)
Largest — wheelbase 115 inches (2.92 meters) or
more
3.10.3 Guide to classification. It is not expected that
automobile size categories will generally be determined by
investigating officers or entered on accident report forms.
These data ordinarily may be obtained more economically
and accurately by computer interpretation of vehicle
identification numbers (VlN's), from tables of size by year,
make and model, or by other means.
3.11 Automobile Classification by
Weight
3.11.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe the weights of automobiles involved in motor
vehicle accidents.
3.11.2 Categories. There are three mutually exclusive
categories of automobile weight, based on curb weight
expressed to the nearest 100 pounds. Curb weight is the
weight of an automobile with standard equipment and a full
complement of fuel and other fluids, but with no occupants
or other load. Where a finer breakdown is desired, the
three-category set may be expanded to a seven-category
set.
3.11.2.1 Three-category set. Primary automobile weight
categories are:
Light — curb weight 2400 pounds (1089 kilograms) or
less
Midweight — curb weight 2500 to 3400 pounds (1134
to 1542 kilograms)
Heavy — curb weight 3500 pounds (1588 kilograms)
or more
3.11.2.2 Seven-category set. Secondary automobile
weight categories are:
A — curb weight 1400 pounds (635 kilograms) or less
B — curb weight 1500 to 1900 pounds (680 to 862
kilograms)
C — curb weight 2000 to 2400 pounds (907 to 1089
kilograms)
D — curb weight 2500 to 2900 pounds (1134 to 1315
kilograms)
E — curb weight 3000 to 3400 pounds (1361 to 1542
kilograms)
F — curb weight 3500 to 3900 pounds (1588 to 1769
kilograms)
G — curb weight 4000 pounds (1814 kilograms) or
more
3.11.3 Guide to classification. It is not expected that
automobile weight categories will generally be determined
by investigating officers or entered on accident report
forms. These data ordinarily may be obtained more
economically and accurately by computer interpretation of
vehicle identification numbers (VlNs), from tables of weight
by year, make and model, or by other means.
3.12 Motorcycle Classification by
Type
3.12.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe the type of motorcycle involved in a motor
vehicle accident.
3.12.2 Categories. Categories of motorcycle include:
— Large motorcycle
— Motor-driven cycle
— Speed-limited motor-driven cycle
— Moped
— Other speed-limited motor-driven cycle
— Other motor-driven cycle
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 - 2007
41
3.12.3 General. Motorcycles include a broad range of
transport devices. To support traffic safety programs, it is
desirable that motor vehicle accident records permit
distinction at least between large motorcycles and motor-
driven cycles. Where distinctive license plates are used for
motor-driven cycles, speed-limited motor-driven cycles or
mopeds, they facilitate accurate identification of these
vehicles.
3.13 Truck Classification by
Weight
3.13.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to describe the weights of trucks involved in motor vehicle
accidents.
3.13.2 Categories. There are three mutually exclusive
categories of trucks based on gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR). The categories are:
Light truck — gross vehicle weight rating under 10,000
pounds (4,536 kilograms)
Medium truck — gross vehicle weight rating 10,000 to
26,000 pounds (4,536 to 11,793 kilograms)
Heavy truck — gross vehicle weight rating over 26,000
pounds (11,793 kilograms)
3.13.3 Guide to classification. A gross vehicle weight
rating (GVWR) appears on a label or tag affixed to single-
unit trucks, truck tractors and trailers manufactured for use
in the United States. Such a label is required by federal
regulations issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (49CFR567). The required label is generally
placed on the door or door frame next to the driver's
seating position or, for trailers, on the forward half of the
left side.
Gross vehicle weight ratings for trucks are also encoded in
vehicle identification numbers and may be included in
computerized motor vehicle records maintained by the
states.
Substitution of an estimate for a gross vehicle weight rating
should take place only when the rating is not available from
the above sources.
3.14 Classification of Persons by
Work Status
3.14.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to indicate, for each person involved in the motor vehicle
accident, whether or not the person was at work or not at
work.
3.14.2 Categories. There are two mutually exclusive
categories for classification of work status of a person
involved in a motor vehicle accident. The categories are:
— At work (See 2.9.4)
— Not at work
3.15 Classification of Accidents by
Work Status
3.15.1 Introduction. The purpose of this classification is
to indicate whether or not a motor vehicle accident is work
related.
3.15.2 Categories. There are two mutually exclusive
categories for classification of work status of a motor
vehicle accident. The categories are:
— Work related
— Not work related
3.15.3 Guide to classification. A motor vehicle accident
is work related if any person involved in the accident is at
work (See 3.14).
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 – 2007
42
References
National Safety Council. Manual on Classification of Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents, Sixth Edition (ANSI D16.1-1996). Chicago:
Author.
World Health Organization. Manual of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Injuries and Causes of Death, 1975
Revision. Geneva: Author, 1977.
American Association of State Highway Officials. AASHO Highway Definitions. June 1968.
United States Code, Title 23. Highways. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office.
U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (ANSI D6.1e-
1989).
National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances. Traffic Laws Annotated.1972.
National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances. Uniform Vehicle Code and Model Traffic Ordinance. 1992.
Characteristics of Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents
Motor vehicle traffic accidents have a number of characteristics that are used to distinguish between motor vehicle traffic
accidents and other events such as non-accidents, aircraft or railway accidents and other motor vehicles, cataclysms and
nontraffic accidents. The questions below address all of the distinguishing characteristics of motor vehicle traffic accidents. If the
answer to each of the questions below is “yes," then the incident is a motor vehicle traffic accident.
1) Did the incident include one or more occurrences of injury (2.3.1) or damage (2.3.7)?
2) Was there at least one occurrence of injury or damage which was not a direct result of a cataclysm (2.4.5 Cataclysm and 2.4.
9 Transport accident)?
3) Did the incident involve one or more motor vehicles (2.2.7)?
4) Of the motor vehicles involved, was at least one in-transport (2.2.34)?
5) Was the incident an unstabilized situation (2.4.4)?
6) Did the unstabilized situation originate on a trafficway (2.2.1) or did injury or damage occur on a trafficway?
7) If the incident involved a railway train (2.2.5) in-transport, did a motor vehicle in-transport become involved prior to any injury
or damage involving the train?
8) Is it true that neither an aircraft (2.1.5) in-transport nor a watercraft (2.1.6) in-transport was involved in the incident?
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 - 2007
43
Index
A
Abbreviated injury scale, 3.1.6
Accident, 2.2.34, 2.3.4, 2.3.5, 2.3.11, 2.4,
2.4.4, 2.4.6 (definition), 2.4.7, 2.4.8,
2.4.9, 2.6, 2.7.4, 3.1.3, 3.1.4, 3.3-3.15
Aircraft, 2.1.5 (definition), 2.1.7, 2.1.9,
2.4.10
Aircraft accident, 2.4.10 (definition),
2.4.11-2.4.14, 3.3.2
Airway, 2.1.9 (definition), 2.1.11
Animal, 2.1.2, 2.1.4, 2.2.8, 2.3.7, 2.6.11
At-grade intersection, 2.5.12 (definition),
2.5.13
At-intersection accident, 2.7.3
(definition), 2.7.6, 2.7.7, 3.8.2.2,
3.8.3.3
At Work, 2.9.6 (definition), 3.14.1, 3.14.2,
3.15.3
Automobile, 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.2.7.1, 2.2.10,
2.2.11, 2.2.12 (definition), 2.2.14.1,
2.2.28, 2.2.34, 2.7.8, 2.8.1, 3.9-3.11
Avalanche, (2.4.5 – Cataclysm), 2.4.9
B
Bicycle lane, 2.2.45 (definition), 2.2.46,
3.8.7.2
Bicycle trail, 2.2.44 (definition), 3.8.7.2
Bikeway, 2.2.43 (definition), 2.2.44 -
2.2.46, 3.8.7
Bus, 2.1.3, 2.2.7, 2.2.7.3, 2.2.10
(definition), 2.2.10.1-2.2.10.6, 2.2.11,
2.2.14.1, 2.8.1, 3.9, 3.9.2, 3.9.4,
3.9.4.1
C
Cargo van, 2.2.14, 2.2.14.1, 2.2.14.2
(definition), 2.2.19, 3.9.2
Cataclysm, 2.4.5 (definition), 2.4.9
Channelized intersection, 2.5.13
(definition)
Charter bus, 2.2.10, 2.2.10.5 (definition),
2.2.10.6, 3.9.4.1
City street, 2.2.34.2, 2.5.8 (definition),
3.8.3.2
Cloudburst, (2.4.5 – Cataclysm)
Collision accident, 2.4.7, 2.6, 2.6.2 (defi-
nition), 2.7.1, 2.7.8, 2.8.2, 3.6.4, 3.7.2
(see noncollision accident)
Collision involving animal, 2.6.11
(definition), 2.6.13, 3.6.4, 3.7.2
Collision involving fixed object, 2.6.12
(definition), 2.6.13, 3.6.4, 3.7.2
Collision involving motor vehicle
in-transport, 2.6.6 (definition), 2.6.13,
3.7.2.1, 2.8.2
Collision involving other object, 2.6.13
(definition), 3.7.2
Collision involving other road vehicle
in-transport, 2.6.7 (definition), 2.6.13,
3.7.2.2
Collision involving parked motor vehicle,
2.6.8 (definition), 2.6.13, 3.7.2
Collision involving pedalcycle, 2.6.10
(definition), 2.6.13, 3.7.2.1
Collision involving pedestrian, 2.4.12,
2.6.5 (definition), 2.6.13, 2.8.2, 3.6.4,
3.7.2
Collision involving railway vehicle, 2.6.9
(definition), 2.6.13, 3.7.2
Commerce, 2.9, 2.9.1 (definition), 2.9.2 -
2.9.5
Commercial motor vehicle, 2.2.7.3
(definition)
Contact vehicle, 2.4.7 (definition), 2.4.8,
2.6.5, 2.8.2, 3.6.5 (See noncontact
vehicle)
County road, 2.5.7 (definition), 2.5.8,
3.8.3.2
Crosswalk, 2.5.21 (definition)
Curb return, 2.5.20 (definition), 2.7.7
Cyclone, (2.4.5 – Cataclysm)
D
Damage, 2.3.7 (definition), 2.3.8-2.3.12,
2.4.1, 2.4.2, 2.4.4, 2.4.9, 2.4.29, 2.6.3,
3.2, 3.4.3, 3.5, 3.6.3
Damage severity, 3.2, 3.5
Deliberate intent, 2.4.2 (definition), 2.4.3,
2.4.4
Disabling damage, 2.3.11 (definition),
2.3.12, 3.2, 3.4.2, 3.5
Downburst, (2.4.5 – Cataclysm)
Driver, 2.2.7.3, 2.2.10, 2.2.10.1, 2.2.10.2,
2.2.10.5, 2.2.14.1-2.2.14.4, 2.2.34.2,
2.2.37 (definition), 2.2.38, 2.4.1-2.4.3,
2.9.6, 3.13.3
Driveway, 2.2.1, 2.2.34, 2.2.34.1,
2.2.34.2, 2.5.9, 2.5.9.1 (definition),
2.7.4, 2.7.4.1
Driveway access, 2.5.9 (definition),
2.5.9.1, 2.7.4.1, 2.5.10, 2.5.11, 2.7.4
Driveway access accident, 2.5.9, 2.7.4
(definition), 2.7.4.1, 2.7.6, 2.7.7,
3.8.2.2
Driveway access related accident, 2.5.9,
2.5.9.1, 2.7.4, 2.7.4.1 (definition)
E
Earthquake, (2.4.5 – Cataclysm), 2.4.8,
2.4.9
F
Fatal accident, 2.4.27 (definition), 2.4.28,
3.4.2
Fatal injury, 2.3.2 (definition), 2.3.3-2.3.6,
2.4.27, 3.1.2, 3.1.3, 3.1.5, 3.4.2
Fatality, 2.3.3 (definition), 3.1.3
Fetus, 2.1.1
First harmful event, 2.4.9, 2.6, 2.7.1,
2.7.3-2.7.5, 2.7.7, 2.7.8, 3.7, 3.8.3.5,
3.8.6.3
Fixed object, 2.4.2, 2.4.8, 2.6.12, 3.6.4
Flood, (2.4.5 – Cataclysm)
Frontage road, 2.2.30, 2.5.18 (definition),
2.5.19, 3.8.3.3, 3.8.3.4
Full trailer, 2.2.15, 2.2.18 (definition),
2.2.21, 3.9.2, 3.9.3
Fully-controlled access highway, 2.5.15
(definition), 3.8.4.2
Functional damage, 2.3.12 (definition),
3.2.2, 3.5
G
Gore, 2.5.19 (definition), 2.7.7
Grade separation, 2.5.14 (definition),
2.5.15, 2.5.16
Gross Combination Weight Rating,
2.2.23.1 (definition)
Gross vehicle weight rating, 2.2.11,
2.2.14, 2.2.23 (definition), 2.2.23.1,
2.2.24-2.2.26, 3.13
Gross vehicle weight, 2.2.22 (definition),
2.2.23
H
Harmful event, 2.4.1 (definition), 2.4.3,
2.4.6, 2.4.12, 2.4.18, 2.4.19, 2.6, 2.7,
3.7, 3.8.3.5, 3.8.6.3
Hazardous material, 2.9.5 (definition),
2.9.5.1
Hazardous material placard, 2.9.5,
2.9.5.1 (definition)
Heavy truck, 2.2.26 (definition), 3.9.2,
3.13.2
Hurricane, (2.4.5 – Cataclysm), 2.4.9
I
Incapacitating injury, 2.3.4 (definition),
2.3.5, 2.3.6, 3.1.2, 3.4.2.1
Injury, 2.3.1 (definition), 2.3.2- 2.3.6,
2.3.8, 2.4.1, 2.4.2, 2.4.4, 2.4.26, 2.6.3,
3.1, 3.4, 3.5.4
Injury accident, 2.4.26 (definition),
2.4.27-2.4.29
Injury severity, 3.1, 3.4
Interchange, 2.5.16 (definition), 2.7.7,
3.8.3.3, 3.8.3.4
Interchange accident, 2.7.7 (definition),
3.8.3.3
Intercity bus, 2.2.10, 2.2.10.4 (definition),
2.2.10.6, 3.9.4.1
Intersection, 2.5.10 (definition), 2.5.11,
2.5.12, 2.5.20, 2.5.21, 2.7.3, 2.7.5,
2.7.8, 3.8.3.3, 3.8.3.4
Intersection-related accident, 2.7.5
(definition), 2.7.6, 2.7.7, 3.8.2.2
Interstate commerce, 2.2.7.3, 2.9.2
(definition), 2.9.3
Interstate highway, 2.5.4 (definition),
2.5.5-2.5.8, 3.8.3.2
Interstate System, 2.5.3 (definition), 2.5.4
In-transport, 2.2.34 (definition), 2.2.34.1,
2.2.34.2, 2.2.39-2.2.40, 2.2.42, 2.4.4,
2.4.9-2.4.16, 2.4.19, 2.6, 3.6.1
Intrastate commerce, 2.2.7.3, 2.9.2, 2.9.3
(definition)
J
Jackknife accident, 2.6.3, 2.6.4
(definition), 3.7.2
Junction, 2.5.11 (definition), 3.8.2
L
Land vehicle, 2.1.7 (definition), 2.2,
2.2.3, 2.2.4, 2.2.6, 2.2.42
Land way, 2.1.11 (definition), 2.2, 2.5.22
Landslide, (2.4.5 – Cataclysm), 2.4.9
Large bus, 2.2.10, 2.2.10.2 (definition),
2.2.11, 3.9.2, 3.9.4
Large motorcycle, 2.2.9, 2.2.9.2
(definition), 3.12
Legal intervention, 2.4.3 (definition),
2.4.4
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 – 2007
44
Light truck, 2.2.24 (definition), 3.9.2,
3.13.2
Lightning, (2.4.5 – Cataclysm)
Load, 2.1.4, 2.2.12, 2.2.22, 2.2.23,
2.2.34.2
Low speed vehicle, 2.2.6.1, 2.2.7, 2.2.7.1
(definition), 2.2.12, 3.9.2
M
Median, 2.2.7.2, 2.2.29 (definition),
2.2.30, 2.2.31, 2.2.34, 2.2.34.2, 2.5.24
Medium truck, 2.2.25 (definition), 2.2.7.3,
3.9.2, 3.13.2
Moped, 2.1.3, 2.2.6.1, 2.2.9, 2.2.9.1,
2.2.9.4 (definition), 3.9.2, 3.12.2
Motor carrier, 2.9.4 (definition)
Motorcycle, 2.1.3, 2.2.6.1, 2.2.9
(definition), 2.2.9.1, 2.2.9.2, 2.2.11,
2.2.12, 3.5.3, 3.9.2, 3.12
Motor-driven cycle, 2.2.7, 2.2.9, 2.2.9.1
(definition), 2.2.9.2, 2.2.9.3, 3.12
Motorist, 2.2.40 (definition), 2.2.41,
2.4.3.1
Motor vehicle, 2.2.7 (definition), 2.2.7.1-
2.2.7.3, 2.2.8-2.2.34, 2.2.40, 2.2.41,
2.2.42, 2.3.9, 2.3.12, 2.4.2, 2.4.4,
2.4.8, 2.4.9, 2.4.12, 2.6.6, 2.6.8,
2.6.10, 2.8.1, 2.8.2, 2.9.5, 2.9.5.1, 3.2,
3.6.1, 3.6.5, 3.9, 3.9.2
Motor vehicle accident, 2.2.7.1, 2.4.12
(definition), 2.4.13, 2.4.14, 2.4.17,
2.4.22, 2.4.23, 2.6.6, 2.6.10, 2.8.2,
3.1.3, 3.3.2, 3.5-3.7, 3.6.5, 3.9, 3.12,
3.14, 3.15
Motor vehicle damage, 2.3.9 (definition),
3.2.2.1, 3.5.2.1
Motor vehicle nontraffic accident, 2.4.23
(definition)
Motor vehicle traffic accident, 2.4.22
(definition), 2.7.8
Mudslide, (2.4.5 – Cataclysm)
N
Noncollision accident, 2.4.7, 2.6.3
(definition), 2.6.4, 2.7.1, 2.7.8, 2.8.2,
3.6.4, 3.7.2
Noncontact vehicle, 2.4.8 (definition),
2.8.2, 3.6.3, 3.6.5 (See Contact
vehicle)
Nonfatal injury accident, 2.4.28
(definition), 3.4.2.2
Nonincapacitating evident injury, 2.3.5
(definition), 2.3.6, 3.1.2, 3.4.2.1
Noninjury accident, 2.4.29 (definition),
2.4.30, 3.4.2, 3.4.3
Nonjunction accident, 2.7.6 (definition),
2.7.7, 3.8.2.2
Non-motorist, 2.2.41 (definition), 2.2.42,
2.4.3, 2.4.7, 2.7.4, 2.7.4.1
Nontraffic accident, 2.4.19 (definition),
2.4.21, 2.4.23, 2.4.25
Not in-transport, 2.2.34.1 (definition),
2.2.34.2, 2.2.41, 2.2.42, 2.6.8 (See
In-transport)
O
Occupant, 2.2.35 (definition), 2.2.36-
2.2.41, 2.4.4, 2.6.3, 3.11.2
Off-roadway accident, 2.7.2 (definition),
3.8.1.2
On-roadway accident, 2.7.1 (definition),
2.7.2, 3.8.1
Other bus, 2.2.10, 2.2.10.6 (definition),
3.9.2, 3.9.4.1
Other road vehicle, 2.2.8 (definition),
2.2.27, 2.3.10, 2.4.12, 2.4.14, 2.6.7,
2.6.11, 2.6.13, 3.2.2, 3.2.2.2, 3.6.1,
3.7.2.2
Other-road-vehicle accident, 2.4.12,
2.4.14 (definition), 2.4.15-2.4.17,
2.4.24, 2.4.25, 2.6.7, 2.8.2, 3.3.2, 3.5,
3.5.2.2, 3.6.1, 3.6.5, 3.6.5, 3.7.2,
3.7.2.2
Other-road-vehicle damage, 2.3.10
(definition), 3.2.2.2, 3.5.2.2
Other-road-vehicle nontraffic
accident, 2.4.25 (definition)
Other-road-vehicle traffic accident,
2.4.24 (definition)
Other state route numbered high-way,
2.5.6 (definition), 2.5.7, 2.5.8, 3.8.3.2
Other U. S. route numbered high-way,
2.5.5 (definition), 2.5.6-2.5.8, 3.8.3.2
Overturning accident, 2.6.1 (definition),
2.6.2, 2.6.3, 3.7.2.1, 3.7.2.2
P
Parked motor vehicle, 2.2.34, 2.2.34.2
(definition), 2.6.8, 2.6.13, 3.7.2
Parking lot, 2.2.1, 2.5.9.1, 2.5.22
(definition)
Passenger, 2.2.7.3, 2.2.10.3, 2.2.10.4,
2.2.14, 2.2.14.1, 2.2.23, 2.2.34, 2.2.38
(definition), 2.8.1
Passenger van, 2.2.14, 2.2.14.1
(definition), 2.2.14.4, 3.9.2
Pedalcycle, 2.2.8, 2.2.27 (definition),
2.2.8, 2.2.39, 2.2.43-2.2.45, 2.4.12,
2.4.16, 2.6.10, 2.8.2, 3.8.7.1
Pedalcycle accident, 2.4.16 (definition)
Pedalcyclist, 2.2.39 (definition), 2.2.42,
2.7.4
Pedestrian, 2.2.6.1, 2.2.36 (definition),
2.2.41, 2.2.42, 2.4.2, 2.4.4, 2.4.8,
2.5.19, 2.5.21, 2.6.2, 2.6.5, 2.7.4,
2.7.8, 2.8.2
Person, 2.1.1 (definition), 2.1.2-2.1.6,
2.2.1, 2.2.3, 2.2.4, 2.2.7.1, 2.2.7.3,
2.2.8, 2.2.10-2.2.12, 2.2.14.4, 2.2.22,
2.2.34- 2.2.36, 2.2.41, 2.3.1, 2.3.4,
2.3.8, 2.4.2-2.4.4, 2.5.9.1, 2.9.1, 2.9.6,
3.1, 3.4.1, 3.14, 3.15.3
Personal conveyance, 2.1.3, 2.2.6.1
(definition), 2.2.7, 2.2.7.1, 2.2.36
Pole trailer, 2.2.15, 2.2.16 (definition),
2.2.17, 2.2.18
Police pursuit, 2.4.3.1 (definition)
Possible injury, 2.3.6 (definition), 3.1.2,
3.4.2.1
Private way, 2.2.2 (definition), 2.2.3,
2.2.4, 2.4.18, 2.4.19, 2.5.9.1
Property, 2.1.2 (definition), 2.1.3-2.1.6,
2.1.11, 2.2.1, 2.2.3, 2.2.4, 2.2.7.3,
2.2.12, 2.2.13, 2.2.16-2.2.19, 2.2.22,
2.3.7, 2.4.3, 2.4.4, 2.4.7, 2.4.30, 2.5.9,
2.5.9.1, 2.5.18, 2.6.2, 2.6.3, 2.9.4,
2.9.5, 3.5
Property-damage-only accident, 2.4.29,
2.4.30 (definition), 3.5
R
Railway, 2.2.3 (definition), 2.2.4, 2.5.14
Railway accident, 2.4.13 (definition),
2.4.14, 3.3.2
Railway train, 2.2.5 (definition), 2.2.14,
2.2.42, 2.4.12, 2.4.13
Railway vehicle, 2.2.4 (definition), 2.2.5,
2.2.6, 2.6.9
Ramp, 2.5.17 (definition), 2.5.19, 2.7.7,
3.8.3.3, 3.8.3.4
Road, 2.2.1, 2.2.7.3, 2.2.28, 2.2.29-
2.2.31, 2.2.33 (definition), 2.2.34.1,
2.2.34.2, 2.5.9.1, 2.5.19, 2.7.8, 3.8.3.4
Road vehicle, 2.2.6 (definition), 2.2.7,
2.2.8, 2.2.15-2.2.18, 2.2.22, 2.2.32,
2.2.38, 2.3.8, 2.3.12, 2.4.3, 2.4.7,
2.4.18, 2.4.19, 2.5.22, 2.6, 2.7.1,
2.7.4, 2.8.2, 3.1.4, 3.2, 3.5.3, 3.6.3
Road vehicle accident, 2.4.17
(definition), 2.4.18, 2.4.19, 2.4.26,
2.4.29, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2.1,
3.4-3.8
Road vehicle damage, 2.3.8 (definition),
2.3.9-2.3.12, 3.2.2
Road vehicle nontraffic accident, 2.4.21
(definition)
Road vehicle traffic accident, 2.4.20
(definition), 3.8.1.1, 3.8.7
Roadside, 2.2.7.2, 2.2.31 (definition),
2.2.34, 2.2.34.1, 2.2.34.2, 2.5.24
Roadway, 2.2.1, 2.2.7, 2.2.7.2, 2.2.28
(definition), 2.2.29, 2.2.31-2.2.34,
2.2.34.1, 2.2.34.2, 2.2.44-2.2.46,
2.4.4, 2.4.8, 2.4.9, 2.5.9-2.5.12,
2.5.16-2.5.19, 2.5.21, 2.5.24, 2.7.1,
2.7.4, 2.7.4.1, 2.7.7, 2.7.8, 3.8.1,
3.8.3.3
Rural area, 2.5.2 (definition), 3.8.5.2
S
School bus, 2.2.10, 2.2.10.6, 2.2.3.4,
2.4.8, 2.4.12, 2.8, 2.8.1 (definition),
2.8.2, 3.6.5, 3.9.2, 3.9.4, 3.9.4.1
School bus accident, 2.4.12, 2.8.1, 2.8.2
(definition)
Semitrailer, 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.2.15, 2.2.17
(definition), 2.2.18, 2.2.21, 3.9.2, 3.9.3
Separator, 2.2.29, 2.2.30 (definition),
2.2.31
Shared road, 2.2.46 (definition), 3.8.7.2
Shoulder, 2.2.7.2, 2.2.28, 2.2.29-2.2.31,
2.2.32 (definition), 2.2.33, 2.2.34,
2.2.34.1, 2.2.34.2, 2.5.19
Single-unit truck, 2.2.13, 2.2.14.2, 2.2.19
(definition), 2.2.21, 2.2.23, 2.2.23.1,
3.9, 3.13.2, 3.13.3
Small bus, 2.2.10, 2.2.10.1 (definition),
2.2.11, 3.9
Speed-limited motor-driven cycle, 2.2.9,
2.2.9.3 (definition), 2.2.9.4, 3.12
Stabilized situation, (see unstabilized
situation)
Street car, 2.2.4, 2.2.8, 2.4.15
Street car accident, 2.4.15 (definition),
2.4.16
T
Tidal wave, (2.4.5 – Cataclysm)
Tornado, (2.4.5 – Cataclysm), 2.4.9
Torrential rain, (2.4.5 – Cataclysm), 2.4.9
Traffic accident, 2.4.18 (definition),
2.4.19, 2.4.20, 2.4.22, 2.4.24, 2.7,
3.8.2, 3.8.3, 3.8.4
Traffic unit, 2.2.42 (definition), 2.7.4,
2.7.4.1, 2.7.5, 2.7.8
American National Standard ANSI D-16.1 - 2007
45
Trafficway, 2.2.1 (definition), 2.2.2, 2.2.4,
2.2.7.1, 2.2.7.2, 2.2.28-2.2.34,
2.2.34.2, 2.2.43, 2.4.18, 2.5.4,-2.5.9,
2.5.14, 2.5.15, 2.5.18, 2.5.22-2.5.24,
2.6.3, 2.7.4, 2.7.8, 3.8.3, 3.8.4
Trailer, 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.2.15 (definition),
2.2.16-2.2.21, 2.2.23, 3.5.3, 3.13.3
Transit bus, 2.2.10, 2.2.10.3 (definition),
2.2.10.6, 3.9.4.1
Transport accident, 2.4.5, 2.4.9
(definition), 2.4.10-2.4.14, 2.4.17, 3.3
Transport device, 2.1.3 (definition), 2.1.4,
2.2.6.1, 2.2.7.1, 2.2.11, 2.2.12, 2.2.14,
2.2.19-2.2.21, 2.5.24, 3.12.
Transport vehicle, 2.1, 2.1.4 (definition),
2.1.5-2.1.8, 2.2.34, 2.2.34.1, 2.2.35-
2.2.37, 2.2.41, 2.4.9, 3.3
Transport way, 2.1, 2.1.8 (definition),
2.1.9-2.1.11, 2.2.34
Truck, 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.2.7, 2.2.7.2,
2.2.7.3, 2.2.10, 2.2.11, 2.2.13
(definition), 2.2.19, 2.2.21, 2.2.24-
2.2.26, 2.2.28, 2.5.19, 2.2.34,
2.2.34.1, 2.2.34.2, 2.7.4, 2.7.8, 2.8.1,
2.9.6, 3.5.3, 3.9, 3.13
Truck combination, 2.2.13, 2.2.19, 2.2.21
(definition), 2.2.23.1, 2.6.4, 3.9
Truck tractor, 2.1.4, 2.2.7.3, 2.2.13,
2.2.19, 2.2.20 (definition), 2.2.21,
2.2.23.1, 3.9, 3.13.3
Turn lane, 2.2.29, 2.5.23 (definition)
U
Unstabilized situation, 2.2.34, 2.2.36,
2.4.4 (definition), 2.4.6, 2.4.18, 2.4.19,
3.8.3.5
Urban area, 2.5.1 (definition), 2.5.2,
3.8.5.2
Utility vehicle, 2.1.3, 2.2.7.2, 2.2.10,
2.2.10.1, 2.2.11 (definition), 2.2.12,
2.2.14, 2.2.34, 2.8.1, 3.9.2
V
Van, 2.1.3, 2.2.7.3, 2.2.10, 2.2.11, 2.2.14
(definition), 2.2.14.1-2.2.14.3, 2.2.34,
2.7.8, 2.8.1, 3.9
Van-based bus, 2.2.10, 2.2.10.1,
2.2.14.1, 2.2.14.4 (definition), 3.9
Van-based motorhome, 2.2.10, 2.2.14,
2.2.14.3 (definition)
Vehicle damage scale, 3.2.3
Vehicle identification number (VIN),
2.2.7.1, 3.10.3, 3.11.3, 3.13.3
Volcanic eruption, (2.4.5-Cataclysm)
W
Watercraft, 2.1.6 (definition), 2.1.7,
2.1.10, 2.4.11
Watercraft accident, 2.4.11 (definition),
2.4.12-2.4.14, 3.3.2
Waterway, 2.1.10 (definition), 2.1.11
Work zone, 2.2.7.2, 2.2.34, 2.5.24
(definition), 2.7.8
Work zone accident, 2.7.8 (definition)
Working motor vehicle, 2.2.7, 2.2.7.2
(definition), 2.2.34, 2.2.34.1, 2.2.34.2,
2.7.8
2.5C0107 Printed in U.S.A. 00007-3397
