Instructions:
Enter the Manner of Collision code for the vehicles involved in the initial or first collision.
Definition:
The identification of the manner in which two motor vehicles in transport initially came together without regard to the direction of force. This data element refers only to crashes where the first harmful event involves a collision between two motor vehicles in transport.
Rationale:
This element is important for evaluating occupant injuries and structural defects.
| Code | Attribute | Definition | Example |
| 1 | Single Vehicle Crash | Indicates a crash involving no more than one motor vehicle. Common types of single vehicle crashes are noncollsions or crashes involving pedestrians, fixed objects, wild animals or unrestrained domestic animals. | |
| 2 | Rear-end | The front end of one vehicle collides with the rear end of another vehicle, while the two vehicles are traveling in the same direction. |  |
| 3 | Angle | A crash where two motor vehicles impact at an angle. For example, the front of one motor vehicle impacts the side of another motor vehicle. |  |
| 4 | Sideswipe, Same Direction | Two vehicles traveling in the same direction impact one another in a manner wherein the initial engagement does not overlap the corner of either vehicle so that there is no significant involvement of the front or rear surface areas. The impact then swipes along the surface of the vehicle parallel to the direction of travel. |  |
| 5 | Sideswipe, Opposite Direction | Two vehicles traveling in opposite directions impact one another in a manner wherein the initial engagement does not overlap the corner of either vehicle so that there is no significant involvement of the front or rear surface areas. The impact then swipes along the surface of the vehicle parallel to the direction of travel. |  |
| 6 | Head on | The front end of one vehicle impacts with the front end of another vehicle, while the two vehicles are traveling in opposite directions. |  |
| 7 | Rear to Rear | The rear end of a vehicle impacts with the rear end of another. This can happen when two vehicles are backing up. |  |
| 8 | Front to Rear | ||
| 9 | Front to Front | ||
| 10 | Rear to Side | ||
| 99 | Unknown | If this attribute is used, an explanation in the narrative is recommended. |
Accuracy Checks
- If First Harmful Event does not indicate collision with a motor vehicle in operation or parked, then Manner of Collision should be ‘single vehicle crash’.
- If the value recorded for Number of Vehicles is ‘one’, then Manner of Collision should be ‘single vehicle crash’.
- If Vehicle Travel Direction indicates that the vehicles were traveling in the same direction, then Manner of Collision cannot be ‘head on’, ‘sideswipe opposite direction’, or ‘rear to rear.’
- If Vehicle Travel Direction indicates that the vehicles were traveling in opposing directions, then Manner of Collision cannot be ‘rear-end’ or ‘sideswipe same direction’.
- If Vehicle Travel Direction indicates that the vehicles were traveling perpendicular to one another, then Manner of Collision must be ‘head-on’ or ‘angle’.
Data Quality Audit Results
| Report Type | Acceptable | Inconsistent | Invalid | Empty | ||||
| Local Police (electronic) | 332 | 93.8% | 17 | 4.8% | 1 | 0.3% | 4 | 1.1% |
| Local Police (paper) | 339 | 93.9% | 15 | 4.2% | 3 | 0.8% | 4 | 1.1% |
| State Police (electronic) | 325 | 97.3% | 7 | 2.1% | – | – | 2 | 0.6% |
| Total | 996 | 94.9% | 39 | 3.7% | 4 | 0.4% | 10 | 1.0% |
For all the reports reviewed, the completion of the Manner of Collision field was acceptable nearly 95 percent of the time. The rate of inconsistencies for State Police was lower than both paper and electronic report types for local police.