TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INSURANCE DATA

This report documents the data collected by insurance companies (motor vehicle and third party) in Australia. Analysis of the data revealed that there is a wealth of information collected which could be used for the surveillance and prevention of road crashes and injury. However, due to a lack of a common data standard the data is of limited use at present. Recommendations are made to improve the utility of the data through : 1) collection of injury data in a format that is compatible with the 9th revision of the International Classification of Diseases - Clinical Modification and coding of injury severity using MacKenzie's mapping software. 2) collection of information on the number and seating position of all vehicle occupants whether injured or not, including the seating position of the claimant. 3) Adoption of the ARRB Model Guidelines for coding of accident type. (a)