ABSTRACT
This chapter gives an overview of the situation and the development process of two databases designed to fill the gaps. The first is a broad ranging, intermediate level, fatal accident database. The second is an in-depth accident causation database. The two databases have divergent character and together will contribute a major advance of the knowledge of accidents and injuries at EU level. A core element of the EC road safety strategy includes a reduction of fatalities by 50% by the year 2010. Central to this strategy is the requirement for good quality in-depth accident data. The information provided in the Fatal Accident Database will contribute a major advance of the knowledge of fatal accidents at EU level and tie in with the EU targets for fatal accident reduction. In 2001, the European Transport Safety Council stated that there is a lack of systematically collected data regarding representative samples from in-depth accident investigation which could be integrated into new safety policies.
