Crash Analysis Studio Brings ‘Standard of Care’ to Traffic Fatalities

A new program from Strong Towns will introduce “a new standard of care” that would take into account a broader range of factors when assessing vehicle crashes and seek to find ways to improve outcomes rather than simply looking for where to assign blame.

“In the medical profession, adverse outcomes go through a morbidity and mortality conference, a process of internal review where all contributing factors are considered. Yes, patients are responsible for their behavior, but to what extent did the clinic or hospital—through its processes, recommendations, environment, or other actions—contribute to the negative outcome? What could have been done differently?”

Strong Towns proposes that traffic crashes should be treated in a similar way. “When a crash occurs, the public response focuses only on a few contributing factors. Was the driver intoxicated? Were they speeding? Were they distracted?” This approach fails to account for infrastructural factors and other causes of crashes. “With their new National Crash Analysis Studio, Strong Towns is creating a way for local leaders to conduct full-cause analyses of fatal crashes to understand the causes and improve future outcomes.”

Individuals or groups that want to conduct a crash analysis in their community at no cost can apply to the program, which will launch in January 2023.