Instructions:

Record the appropriate code for Light Conditions at the time of the crash.

Definition:

The type/level of light that existed at the time of the motor vehicle crash.

Rationale:

Important for management/administration and evaluation. Critical for prevention programs and engineering evaluations.

Code Attribute Definition Example
1 Daylight Whenever the sun is above the horizon at a given location.
2 Dawn The time that marks the beginning of the twilight before sunrise.
3 Dusk The transition period going from a daylight condition to the dark of night. This is typically the 30 minute period after the sun sets.
4 Dark- Lighted Roadway The scene of the crash is illuminated at night, or another period of darkness, by street lamps or other man-made light sources.
5 Dark- Roadway Not Lighted The scene of the crash is not illuminated at night, or another period of darkness, by street lamps or other man-made light sources.
6 Dark –  Unknown Roadway Lighting It is known that the crash occurred at night or during another period of darkness, but it is not known if the crash scene was illuminated by a man-made light source.
97 Other This attribute would be used for a variable that is not addressed by the previous attribute options.  If this attribute is used, an explanation in the narrative is recommended.
99 Unknown If this attribute is used, an explanation in the narrative is recommended.

Reminder!

Make sure to use military time, rather than standard time.

Accuracy Checks

  • If the crash occurred between 2000 and 0500, Light Conditions should not be recorded as ‘daylight.’
  • If the crash occurred between 0800 and 1500, Light Conditions should not be recorded as ‘dawn’, ‘dusk’, or ‘dark’.

Data Quality Audit Results

Report Type Acceptable Inconsistent Invalid Empty
Local Police (electronic) 345 98.0% 5 1.4% – – 2 0.6%
Local Police (paper) 352 97.5% 4 1.1% 1 0.3% 4 1.1%
State Police (electronic) 331 99.4% 1 0.3% – – 1 0.3%
Total 1028 98.3% 10 1.0% 1 0.1% 7 0.7%