ANNEX 2 - VEHICLE VARIABLES

2.1 RECORD TYPE

CODES

21. New vehicle record

25. Amended vehicle record

NOTES

A. First box always coded 2 to enable vehicle records to be easily identified during computer

processing and analysis at local and national levels.

B. In second box, code 5 only to be used when a vehicle record already sent to DfT/SE/NAfW is to bereplaced by an amended record.

2.2 POLICE FORCE

NOTE

Repeat of Police Force code entered on the attendant circumstances record at item 1.2.

2.3 ACCIDENT REFERENCE

NOTE

Repeat of Accident Reference on the attendant circumstances record at item 1.3.

2.4 VEHICLE REFERENCE NUMBER

NOTES

A. The first vehicle coded should be numbered 001 and any subsequent vehicles should be numberedin sequence.

B. No two vehicles in an accident should have the same vehicle reference number.

2.5 TYPE OF VEHICLE

CODES

NOTES

A. Vehicles (other than cars or minibuses used as taxis or private hire vehicles) should be coded according to their construction and not according to their use at the time of the accident. For example, a van which is being used for the carriage of passengers should nevertheless be coded as a goods vehicle. Vehicles of the armed forces should be recorded under the heading appropriate to a civilian vehicle of the same type if there is one, otherwise they should be coded as 'Other motor vehicle' or 'Other non-motor vehicle'.

B. Pedal cycles: this code applies to pedal cycles being ridden in the carriageway or on a cycleway or pavement and also applies to toy cars and toy tricycles in the carriageway. Toy cars and toy tricycles on the footpath should be ignored and their riders classified as pedestrians. Includes electrically assisted pedal cycles defined in the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983 No 1168.

C. The coding for motorcycle (codes 02-05) now depends entirely on engine size. Motorcycle includes mopeds, motor scooters, motorcycle combinations and three wheeled motorcycles. "Quad bikes" and "motorised scooters" should be coded 14.

D. "Taxi" includes any vehicle operating as a hackney carriage, regardless of construction, and bearing the appropriate district council or local authority hackney carriage plates. Vehicles operating as private hire cars (i.e. 'minicabs') may or may not bear private hire plates, but are to be coded 08 in either case.

E. Car: includes three wheeled cars, estate cars, family vans/multi-people carriers, Land Rovers and similar four-wheel drive vehicles.

F. Minibus: includes minibus, micro-bus, post buses and Dial-a-Bus. Minibuses equipped to carry less than 17 seated passengers should be coded 10, even if used as buses. Minibuses equipped to carry 17 or more seated passengers should be coded 11.

G. Bus or coach: This category is to be determined by the construction of the vehicle rather than its use. All buses or coaches equipped to carry 17 or more seated passengers should be coded 11, regardless of whether or not being used in stage operation.

H. Agricultural vehicles (includes diggers etc.): This category will mainly include agricultural tractors (whether or not towing), mobile excavators and front dumpers. Goods vehicles used to transport agricultural produce or livestock should be coded 19, 20 or 21 as appropriate. Heavy plant such as large mobile cranes should be coded 14 'Other motor vehicle'.

I. Goods vehicles (codes 19, 20 and 21) include three-wheeled goods vehicles (provided they are not controlled by a pedestrian), tankers, HGV tractors travelling without their semi-trailers, trailers, and articulated vehicles as defined in item 2.6, but excluding caravans and 'other tows' which are not goods vehicles.

Code 19 applies to vans (including car based vans) or small goods vehicles (including pick-up trucks) which are licensed for Private and Light Goods use (PLG). Code 19 should be used for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes maximum gross weight.

Codes 20 and 21 apply to larger vehicles licensed as over 3.5 tonnes maximum gross weight. This information can normally be determined from the 'taxable weight' on the heavy goods vehicle tax disk. If not on the tax disk the gross vehicle weight will normally be shown on a DfT plate. This is situated in the cab of a rigid or an articulated vehicle and on the nearside of the chassis of a drawbar trailer. Use the 'maximum gross weight' or 'train weight' to determine this code. Do not use 'towing unit gross weight' or 'manufacturer's design weight'.

Note that certain classes of large vehicles do not require plating tests and may not display weight on the tax disk.

J. Other motor vehicles are types of motor vehicle not falling into any of the main categories. Examples are ambulances, fire engines, motor caravans, electric scooters (powerchairs) and motorised wheel chairs, quad bikes, motorised scooters, pedestrian controlled vehicles with a motor, refuse vehicles, road rollers, mobile cranes, tower wagons and army tanks.

K. Other non-motor vehicles are miscellaneous types of vehicles without a motor, other than pedal cycles. Examples are vehicles drawn by an animal, invalid carriages that are self propelled without a motor, and pedestrian controlled vehicles without a motor which are normally used on the road (eg. street barrows). Vehicles which are normally on the pavement, such as prams, should not be recorded as vehicles nor should led horses. Toy cars and toy tricycles on the pavement should not be recorded, their riders being classified as pedestrians. Unattached, stationary caravans are not vehicles and they should be coded under Section 1.25 (Carriageway Hazards). Some further guidance is contained in the notes of item 3.6 (Casualty Class) on page 71.

L. Codes 01 - 09 should be prefixed with a zero (eg. 'Car' should be coded 09).

M. The local processing authority should query any vehicle type coded 01, 02, 15, 16, 17 or 18 if 1.12 (1st Road Class) is coded 1 or 2.

2.6 TOWING AND ARTICULATION

CODES

NOTES

A. An articulated vehicle is a tractor with a semi-trailer so constructed that a significant part of the weight of the semi-trailer is borne by the tractor. It does not include a tractor without its semi-trailer, which should be coded 0, nor a combination made up of a rigid vehicle and a drawbar trailer, which should be coded 4. A drawbar trailer has at least 2 axles, the front axle of which is steered by the drawbar connecting it to the drawing vehicle. Articulated (bendy) buses should be coded 1.

B. A double/multiple trailer should be taken to mean two or more trailers.

C. A caravan means a two-wheeled or four-wheeled trailer designed for accommodation, or as a mobile office etc.

D. Single trailer is any rigid vehicle towing a drawbar trailer or trailer with fixed axle(s), other than a caravan, via a rigid bar.

E. Mobile compressors, other heavy plant and equipment, fairground and circus equipment are each to be regarded as single trailers - coded 2 or 4 if applicable.

F. Other tow is any other towing arrangement not defined in codes 0 - 4 and includes vehicles towing by rope, and breakdown trucks towing another vehicle by crane-mounted tow or a towing bar but it specifically excludes any drawbar trailer.

G. If 2.6 is coded 1 or 2, then 2.5 (Type of Vehicle) should be coded 11, 14, 18, 20 or 21.

2.7 MANOEUVRES

CODES

NOTES

A. This refers to actions immediately before the accident.

B. A vehicle in the process of parking should be coded 01 or 04 as appropriate, not 02.

C. A bus/coach stationary at a bus stop should be coded as 'Parked', code 02.

D. A vehicle moving across the road to park on the offside should be coded 12, even if lanes are not marked.

Code 12 also includes vehicles merging from a slip road.

E. Code 14 should include where:

i. the vehicle being overtaken on the offside is temporarily held up;

ii. a parked vehicle is being overtaken on the offside and a vehicle record has been producedfor that parked vehicle (i.e. the parked vehicle is deemed to have been contributory to theaccident).

F. Code 15 should be used where the vehicle being overtaken is parked (see Note E(ii) above), broken down, temporarily held up or moving.

G. Codes 01 - 09 should be prefixed with a zero (eg. 'Moving off' should be coded 05).

H. See also "Examples for coding the locations of accidents and vehicles" on page 23.

2.8 VEHICLE MOVEMENT COMPASS POINT

CODES

NOTES

A. These codes should reflect true compass directions.

B. The 'from' box gives the direction from which the vehicle had come prior to the accident.

C. The 'to' box gives the intended direction of the vehicle had there not been an accident.

D. U turns: these are coded with the same code 'from' and 'to' (eg. a vehicle travelling from north and making a U turn will be coded 11.

E. Stationary vehicles waiting to turn, or to go ahead, should be coded as if they were moving vehicles.

F. Roundabouts: code both directions as if no roundabout were present (i.e. as if going straight ahead or turning, or intending to turn, left or right).

2.9 VEHICLE LOCATION AT TIME OF ACCIDENT - RESTRICTED LANE / AWAY FROM MAIN

CARRIAGEWAY

CODES

NOTES

A. Tram/Light rail track: Accidents occurring on tram/light rail track, where track forms part of the highway. This includes sections where the track forms part of the highway, but is segregated from the main carriageway for tram use only. Accident does not necessarily have to involve tram or light rail vehicle.

B. Bus lane: Lane marked off within main carriageway for use by buses (and possibly other permitted vehicles such as taxis and pedal cycles). Code 02 should be used even if lane restriction was not in force at the time of the accident.

C. Busway: Section of highway segregated from main carriageway, for use by buses (including guided buses), and possibly other permitted vehicles such as taxis and pedal cycles.

D. Cycle lane: Lane (advisory or mandatory) marked off within main carriageway for use by pedal cycles only.

E. Cycleway: Forms part of the highway (road in Scotland) but is not part of the main carriageway. Includes shared use on footway (pavement) whether or not separated by white line.

F. Footway (pavement): Footway, for use by pedestrians only, which forms part of the highway but is separated from the main carriageway. Includes grass verges.

G. Other restricted lanes within the main carriageway, not listed above, (eg. for high occupancy vehicles or goods vehicles) should be coded 02.

H. Vehicles involved in accidents on the hard shoulder when it is being used as a running lane, should be coded 00.

I. If code 07 or 08 is used (Leaving or Entering lay-by or hard shoulder) then 2.7 (Manoeuvres) for this vehicle should not be coded 08 or 10 ('Waiting to turn left or right').

J. If 1.12 (1st Road Class) is coded 1 or 2 then 2.9 must be coded 00, 02 or 05 - 09.

2.10 JUNCTION LOCATION OF VEHICLE

CODES

NOTES

A. Codes 1 and 2 include vehicles waiting in a queue. Use code 0 if accident occurs in queue more than 20 metres from junction.

B. Code 3 includes late lane changes immediately prior to leaving roundabout.

C. Codes 4 and 6 only apply to vehicles attempting to enter the circulatory part of the roundabout or the main road. Code 1 should be used for vehicles waiting to enter the roundabout/main road.

D. Code 5 includes vehicles leaving the main road on to a slip road.

E. Mid junction (code 8) is defined as the area contained within the junction markings (eg. stop line/give way lines etc.). Where there are no markings, the middle of a junction is the area contained by extending kerb lines across the mouth of the roads meeting at the junction.

F. Code 8 includes vehicles in the middle of the junction which are waiting to leave the main road (eg. waiting to turn right).

G. If 1.16 (Junction Detail) is coded 01 - 09, then 2.10 must be coded 1 - 8. If 1.16 is coded 00, 2.10 must be coded 0.

H. See also "Examples for coding the locations of accidents and vehicles" on page 23.

2.11 SKIDDING AND OVERTURNING

CODES

NOTES

A. 'Jack-knifed' should be entered in preference to 'skidded' when both apply.

B. 'Skidded' or 'Jack-knifed' should be entered, where appropriate, irrespective of whether it is considered to have been a cause or a result of the accident.

C. A vehicle which, as a result of the accident, was at any time on its roof, side, front or rear should be recorded as having overturned, even though it may have come to rest on its wheels. Two-wheeled motor vehicles and pedal cycles should only be coded 0 or 1. Such a vehicle is not regarded as 'overturned' when lying on its side.

D. If 2.11 is coded 3 or 4, variable 2.6 (Towing and Articulation) must be coded 1 - 5 for that vehicle.

2.12 HIT OBJECT IN CARRIAGEWAY

CODES

NOTES

A. If more than one of the items above are hit, the code selected should be the one which the vehicle hit first.

B. Kerb includes build out within traffic calming schemes. Road humps, speed cushions and similar traffic calming features should not be recorded under 2.12.

C. Code 11 includes pedestrians which were dead before they were hit, but otherwise excludes pedestrians or anything recorded elsewhere as a vehicle.

D. Code 12 excludes animals pulling vehicles (eg. horse and trap). 'Animal' relates to all animals that may be construed to have been a 'Carriageway Hazard' and not just those animals defined in the road traffic act.

E. If 2.12 is coded 11, item 1.25 (Carriageway Hazards) must not be coded 0.

F. If any vehicle runs into vehicle(s) which were involved in a previous accident, use code 01. If a vehicle runs into debris associated with a previous accident or takes avoiding action and hits another object in the carriageway, code 02 - 12 as appropriate, and use code 3 for variable 1.25. If 2.12 is coded 01, 1.25 must be coded 3.

G. If any vehicle is involved with roadworks (Code 02) then 1.24 (Special Conditions at Site) should be coded 4.

H. Codes 1 - 9 should be prefixed with a zero (eg. 'Roadworks' Code 02).

2.13 VEHICLE LEAVING CARRIAGEWAY

CODES

NOTES

A. If a vehicle leaves the carriageway more than once, record the first occurrence.

B. Enter Code 0 if any vehicle hit the kerb and rebounded.

C. Code 3 applies to 'T' or staggered junctions where a vehicle on the minor road crossed the main road and left the carriageway opposite its approach road.

D. Codes 7 and 8 should not be used for dual carriageways.

E. A vehicle is 'Leaving the carriageway' when the vehicle reaches (temporarily or permanently) a position such that one or more of its wheels are on (or beyond) the limit of the carriageway in which it was originally travelling. This includes entering a separated busway or cycleway but not simply crossing a white line to enter a bus or cycle lane

F. The hard shoulder should be treated as part of the carriageway.

G. Footways are not part of the carriageway (eg. a vehicle leaving the carriageway nearside on to the footway should be coded 1).

H. Hitting the centre of a roundabout constitutes having left carriageway offside and should be coded 7 or 8 as appropriate.

I. If a vehicle hits a central reservation (code 4, 5 or 6), then 1.14 (Road Type) must be coded 3 'Dual carriageway'.

J. Rebounded (Codes 2, 5 and 8) means returned after hitting something (eg. the central reservation, road furniture, parked vehicles etc). If this item is coded 2, 5 or 8 then 2.14 must refer to what the vehicle hit initially and cannot, therefore, be coded 00, 08 or 09.

K. Pedal cycles away from the carriageway (eg. on cycleway or shared use footway) should be coded 0 in all cases.

2.14 FIRST OBJECT HIT OFF CARRIAGEWAY

CODES

NOTES

A. If more than one of the items above are hit, the code selected should be the one the vehicle hit first.

B. If pedestrian railings or grass or other bank are hit, then Code 10 should be used.

C. If any vehicle is involved with a bus stop (Code 05), item 1.12 (1st Road Class) cannot be 'Motorway' (code 1 or 2).

D. If any vehicle is involved with a central crash barrier (Code 06) then 1.14 (Road Type) should be coded 3 'Dual carriageway'.

E. Codes 0 - 9 should be prefixed with a zero (eg. 'Lamp post' Code 02).

2.16 FIRST POINT OF IMPACT

CODES

NOTES

A. This should be the first point to come into contact with another vehicle, pedestrian or other object. Damage to the vehicle need not have occurred.

B. If a vehicle stops suddenly to avoid another vehicle/pedestrian/object in road, but there is no impact, then enter code 0.

2.17 FIRST CONTACT BETWEEN EACH VEHICLE

NOTES

A. Enter the Vehicle Reference Number (Item 2.4) of the first vehicle with which the vehicle being coded collided.

For example, in a 3 vehicle collision, where Veh 001 collides with the rear of Veh 002, pushing it int the rear of Veh 003, the following coding would apply:

2.17 Code

B. This field should be completed whenever there has been a collision between two or more vehicles, even if some other object has been hit first. For example, where vehicle 001 hits lamp post and rebounds on to vehicle 002, then vehicle 001 should have 002 coded in 2.17, and vehicle 002 should have vehicle 001 coded in 2.17 (assuming no other vehicle was involved).

C. If no other vehicle is hit, code 000.

D. If a pedestrian (and no other vehicle) is hit, code 000.

E. 'Contact, Collided or Hit' should all be interpreted as 'hit or hit by'.

F. Use code 000 for vehicles hit by moving unattached trailers

2.21 SEX OF DRIVER

CODES

NOTES

A. Code 3 'Not traced' should be used in the case of a 'hit and run' driver, or where the police are unable to trace the driver of the vehicle. However, where this information becomes available later (eg. where a 'hit and run' driver is pursued and caught), it should be entered.

B. If a driver is injured, then the sex entered here must be repeated in item 3.7 (Sex of Casualty) for the driver casualty record for this vehicle.

2.22 AGE OF DRIVER

NOTES

A. Where an exact age at last birthday is not known, enter an estimate.

B. Enter age in years, ignoring additional months. Unused spaces to the left of the age should be coded 0 (eg. for child cyclist aged 9 years 11 months, enter 09).

C. Leave blank if it is not possible to make a reasonable estimate. Do not enter 00 or 99 to indicate 'not known'.

D. A driver aged 100+ should be coded 99.

E. This data should be entered even if the driver is not injured.

F. A blank is acceptable if the driver was 'hit and run', or if the vehicle was parked and unattended. However, where this information becomes available later (eg. where a 'hit and run' driver is pursued and caught), it should be entered.

G. If a driver is injured, then the age entered here must be repeated in item 3.8 (Age of Casualty) for the driver casualty record for this vehicle.

H. If 2.5 (Vehicle Type) is coded 02 - 05, 08 - 11, 14, 17 - 21, then the local processing authority should query the driver age if this is under 16.

2.23 BREATH TEST

CODES

NOTES

A. This item refers to breath tests required under sections 6(1) or 6(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, but not to those required under section 7 of the Act, from persons arrested under sections 6(5) or section 4(6) of the Act. If the breath test required under sections 6(1) or 6(2) is positive, it should be so reported irrespective of whether a possible second breath test under section 7 or a blood or urine test confirms or contradicts the results of the first breath test.

B. 'Not applicable' should only be used to cover pedal cyclists and other non-motor vehicle drivers to whom the legislation does not apply (i.e. any conditions not referred to in Sections 6(1) or 6(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988).

C. 'Not requested' should be used where it was decided not to require a breath test.

D. 'Refused to provide' should be used where a driver refuses a breath test, irrespective of whether prosecution follows or not.

E. 'Not contacted' should be used when a driver, from whom a test may be required, absents himself from the scene of the accident, or where the police do not attend the accident scene. Also includes vehicles which are parked and unattended.

F. 'Not provided (medical reasons)' includes cases in which a hospital doctor or paramedic objected to the breath test and cases in which injury (including death) or circumstances rendered a breath test impracticable. Where code 6 and code 0 both apply, use code 0.

G. If 2.5 (Vehicle Type) is coded 02 - 05, 08 - 11, 14, 17 or 19 - 21, then 2.23 must not be coded 0.

2.24 HIT AND RUN

CODES

NOTES

A. 'Other' is to be coded when a vehicle, whether in, or contributing to the accident, stops at the scene of the accident and vehicle/driver data is obtainable.

B. Where 'Hit and run' is used, it is likely that most information about the vehicle and its driver will be unknown. However, where this information becomes available later (eg. where a 'hit and run driver' is pursued and caught), it should be entered in the appropriate boxes elsewhere on STATS19.

C. 'Non-stop vehicle, not hit' includes those cases where a vehicle was involved in, or contributory to, an accident, but did not or was not hit, and then left the scene of the accident so that little information is known for either the vehicle or its driver. Such a vehicle cannot be described as a 'hit and run' as the driver may be unaware of the accident.

2.25 DfT SPECIAL PROJECTS

NOTES

A. Use of this variable will be explained by DfT as and when mutually agreed.

B. When no special project is under way, the box should be left blank, since irrelevant entries are confusing when a DfT special project is in progress in selected areas.

2.26 VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK

NOTES

A. The Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM) of all motor vehicles involved in a personal injury accident should be reported with the following exceptions:

i. foreign or diplomatic vehicles;

ii. military vehicles;

iii. vehicles displaying trade plates.

B. For the vehicles listed in Note A above and for vehicles for which the registration is unknown or for which a registration mark is not required, the boxes should be left blank.

C. Blank spaces in the middle of a VRM containing less than seven characters, should be removed.

D. Where the VRM is less than seven characters long, it should be left justified, and the remaining boxes left blank.

2.27 DRIVER HOME POSTCODE

DRIVER HOME POSTCODE or one of the following CODES

NOTES

A. Complete as far as possible if full postcode not known.

B. Left justify first four boxes.

C. Special codes to be inserted in left hand box.

D. If the postcode is not immediately available, leave blank.

E. Students living away from home should give the postcode for their temporary address during term time and for their permanent address at all other times.

2.28 FOREIGN REGISTERED VEHICLE

CODES

NOTES

A. Codes 1 - 3 should be used for all vehicles bearing non-UK registration plates, including vehicles from the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

B. Foreign non-motor vehicles (eg. bicycles) should be coded 0.

C. Left hand drive UK registered vehicles should be coded 0.

D. Vehicles which are not traced (eg. Hit and Run) should be coded 0.

2.29 JOURNEY PURPOSE OF DRIVER/RIDER

CODES

NOTES

A. Include under codes 3 and 4 only journeys in which school pupils up to and including 16 years of age are travelling, or being taken, to or from school. Enter code 5 in all other cases. Pre-school playgroups should be regarded as schools for this purpose.

B Where a journey has more than one purpose, enter the code relevant to the journey purpose at the time at which the accident occurred. For example, the journey purpose in an accident involving a parent travelling to work and taking a child to school should be coded 3 if the child is in or leaving the vehicle when the accident occurs, but should be coded 2 if the accident occurs after the child has alighted from the vehicle.

C. A driver/rider involved in an accident whilst travelling to school to collect a pupil, or returning home after having taken a pupil to school, should be coded 3, if this is the only purpose for the journey.

D. Enter code 1 for bus or taxi drivers transporting children to/from school.

E. Enter code 5 for all journeys other than those relating to work or to taking children to/from school.

F. If the driver/rider is not available to be asked then the journey purpose should be coded 5.

G. A commuting journey to be coded 2 is the journey made to get to work at the beginning of each working day or shift, or the journey made after work to get home from work.

H. Codes 3 and 4 include journeys to/from pre-school or after-school activities based at the school but exclude journeys made to/from school activities which are not based at the school itself. Journeys between school and childcare organisation/childminder are included, but journeys between childcare and the pupil's home are not.