Huntington, NY - March 30th, 2016 - The New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) today announced the creation of a new online data system to provide the public with direct access to New York State's traffic safety data. The database, or Traffic Safety Statistical Repository (TSSR), integrates data from the state's major crash reporting system and speeds up the process of obtaining data for the public while allowing users to customize reports. The project was designed and implemented by the University at Albany's Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR) and funded by the GTSC.
"Previously, to obtain crash data, users would have had to submit separate requests to different agencies," said GTSC Acting Chair and DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan. "Those days are over thanks to the new crash database, which allows users to cut through the red tape and find the data they need right at their fingertips. This new system is more efficient for both the public and government, and in addition, will increase transparency and accountability."
The TSSR project was initiated in October 2013 with the goal of meeting the needs of the public and the state's traffic safety partners. It currently contains information about motor vehicle crashes on New York's roadways from 2009 to 2014 and preliminary data from 2015 from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)'s Accident Information System.
Preliminary data will be added to the database on a monthly basis and made available on the site after a three-month lag period to allow time for investigations into crashes to be completed, providing New Yorkers with up-to-date information on crashes statewide. The dynamic system reduces errors in how the crash data is used, minimizing the extent to which users have to analyze, interpret, and compile data themselves. Users are also able to customize, print, save, and email reports.
In addition to data on crashes statewide or on the county level, reports are available on different types of crashes, including bicycle, motorcycle, pedestrian, and truck crashes, in addition to alcohol-related, drug-related, and speed-related crashes. The reports on these different types of crashes provide a variety of data, including:
-
The number of crash victims, and information on their ages and their roles in the crash (for instance, driver, passenger, pedestrian, motorcyclist, bicyclist).
-
Driver age and gender.
-
Safety equipment used (restraints and helmets).
-
Day of week/time of day of crash.
- Contributing factors.
"Recognizing that the TSSR will be a valuable resource for accessing the state's traffic safety data, ITSMR will expand the system over the coming months to include new reports as well as other types of traffic safety data," said ITSMR Director Debra Rood.
For more information about GTSC, click here. For more information about DMV, click here.