AP Style Guide Favors 'Crash' Over 'Accident' (Sometimes)

This is the moment a lot of traffic safety advocates have been waiting for: the AP Style Guide, purveyors of rules and regulations to journalists and other, has taken a side in the debate about the word "accident."

1 minute read

April 5, 2016, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The Twitter account of the AP Stylebook recently released a proclamation that has been a long time in the works for some transportation safety accident.

The retweets and mentions inspired by these tweets are also recommended reading for evidence of the passions and opinions that preceded the momentous announcement. It is important to note that the recommendation falls short of a full prescription to use the words "crash" or "collision" rather than "accident"—and it remains to be seen how many occasions will actually fit the description presented here by the AP Stylebook.

For more on debate on Twitter, see also #CrashNotAccident.

Saturday, April 2, 2016 in Twitter

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

People vote in Chicago behind blue privacy screens

Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners

Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents

45 minutes ago - Block Club Chicago

Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks into a microphone. He wears a gray suit.

NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting

New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.

1 hour ago - The City Reporter

People in Los Angeles going to the polls, following a sign with an "I Voted" design

California appears to reject Prop. 45

The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.

2 hours ago - Cal Matters