Missing in FARS

NCSA Response re: Acura Fire Deaths

April 12, 2005
Response from NHTSA NCSA

April 12, 2005
Active Safety Technology Issues

Presentation to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
November 10, 2004
Clarence M. Ditlow, Executive Director
Center for Auto Safety

The Center for Auto Safety has generally advocated that crashworthiness and occupant restraint are the most critical areas in which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration should regulate and issue consumer information. Nevertheless, we agree that new developments in electronics, computer systems and sensors offer major opportunities for crash avoidance.

March 22, 2005
Father Dies from Pechanga Truck-Accident Burns

By: WILLIAM FINN BENNETT
The Californian/North County Times
1/31/05

February 2, 2005
Total U.S. Highway Deaths Fell in 2003

Safety Groups Question Revision by Transportation Department

By Greg Schneider
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Bush administration officials said yesterday that fewer people died on U.S. roadways in 2003 than the government had previously reported and took credit for an unexpected improvement in highway safety.

Safety advocates accused the administration of sensationalizing the numbers, and questioned how the statistics could have changed so significantly from estimates earlier this year.

August 26, 2004
Letter to NCSA on Acura MDX Fire Fatalities

May 4, 2004

June 29, 2004
Pushing to Close Gaps in Compiling Vehicular Deaths

By Cindy Skrzycki

Tuesday, March 16, 2004; Page E01

Every year, awful things happen to children in cars that do not show up in a fatality database run by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Kids die in power window accidents. They get locked into cars that heat up like ovens. They are backed over by unsuspecting adults.

Also missing from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, or FARS, in some instances, are deaths caused when vehicles on the side of the road are hit and burst into flames.

March 16, 2004
CAS Response to NCSA re: Crown Victoria Fires

May 30, 2003

Joseph S. Carra, Director
National Center for Statistics and Analysis
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
400 7th Street SW
Washington DC 20590

Dear Mr. Carra:

This responds to your April 24 letter to the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) about fatal crashes that do not show up in FARS and/or FARS data searches. (Attachment A is CAS’ October 1, 2002 letter to you. Attachment B is a copy of your April 24, 2003, response.)

May 30, 2003
Letter to NHTSA NCSA on FARS Underreporting of Fire Deaths

October 1, 2002

Joseph S. Carra
National Center for Statistics and Analysis
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
400 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590

Dear Mr. Carra:

November 9, 2002