Definitions related to transport accidents

(a) A transport accident (V01–V99) is any accident involving a device designed primarily for, or being used at the time primarily for, conveying persons or goods from one place to another.

(b) A public highway [trafficway] or street is the entire width between property lines (or other boundary lines) of land open to the public as a matter of right or custom for purposes of moving persons or property from one place to another. A roadway is that part of the public highway designed, improved and customarily used for vehicular traffic.

(c) A traffic accident is any vehicle accident occurring on the public highway [i.e. originating on, terminating on, or involving a vehicle partially on the highway]. A vehicle accident is assumed to have occurred on the public highway unless another place is specified, except in the case of accidents involving only off-road motor vehicles, which are classified as nontraffic accidents unless the contrary is stated.

(d) A nontraffic accident is any vehicle accident that occurs entirely in any place other than a public highway.

(e) A pedestrian is any person involved in an accident who was not at the time of the accident riding in or on a motor vehicle, railway train, streetcar or animal-drawn or other vehicle, or on a pedal cycle or animal.

Incl.: person:

• making adjustment to motor of vehicle

• changing tyre of vehicle

• on foot

user of a pedestrian conveyance such as:

• baby carriage

• ice-skates

• perambulator

• push-cart

• push-chair

• roller-skates

• scooter

• skateboard

• skis

• sled

• wheelchair (powered)

(f) A driver is an occupant of a transport vehicle who is operating or intending to operate it.

(g) A passenger is any occupant of a transport vehicle other than the driver.

Excl.: person travelling on outside of vehicle – see definition (h)

(h) A person on outside of vehicle is any person being transported by a vehicle but not occupying the space normally reserved for the driver or passengers, or the space intended for the transport of property.

Incl.: person (travelling on):

• bodywork

• bumper [fender]

• hanging on outside

• roof (rack)

• running-board

• step

(i) A pedal cycle is any land transport vehicle operated solely by pedals.

Incl.: bicycle

tricycle

Excl.: motorized bicycle – see definition (k)

(j) A pedal cyclist is any person riding on a pedal cycle or in a sidecar or trailer attached to such a vehicle.

(k) A motorcycle is a two-wheeled motor vehicle with one or two riding saddles and sometimes with a third wheel for the support of a sidecar. The sidecar is considered part of the motorcycle.

Incl.: moped

motor scooter

motorcycle:

• NOS

• combination

• with sidecar

motorized bicycle

speed-limited motor-driven cycle

Excl.: motor-driven tricycle – see definition (m)

(l) A motorcycle rider is any person riding on a motorcycle or in a sidecar or trailer attached to such a vehicle.

(m) A three-wheeled motor vehicle is a motorized tricycle designed primarily for on- road use.

Incl.: motor-driven tricycle

motorized rickshaw

three-wheeled motor car

Excl.: motorcycle with sidecar – see definition (k)

special all-terrain vehicle – see definition (x)

(n) A car [automobile] is a four-wheeled motor vehicle designed primarily for carrying up to 10 persons. A trailer or caravan being towed by a car is considered a part of the car.

Incl.: minibus

(o) A motor vehicle or vehicle may refer to various transport vehicles. The local usage of the terms should be established to determine the appropriate code. If the terms are used ambiguously, use the code for “unspecified”. A trailer or caravan being towed by a vehicle is considered a part of the vehicle.

(p) A pick-up truck or van is a four- or six-wheeled motor vehicle designed primarily for carrying property, weighing less than the local limit for classification as a heavy goods vehicle, and not requiring a special driver’s licence.

(q) A heavy transport vehicle is a motor vehicle designed primarily for carrying property, meeting local criteria for classification as a heavy goods vehicle in terms of kerbside weight (usually above 3500 kg), and requiring a special driver’s licence.

(r) A bus is a motor vehicle designed or adapted primarily for carrying more than 10 persons, and requiring a special driver’s licence.

Incl.: coach

(s) A railway train or railway vehicle is any device, with or without cars coupled to it, designed for traffic on a railway.

Incl.: interurban:

• electric car (operated chiefly on its own right-of-way, not open to other traffic)

• street car (operated chiefly on its own right-of-way, not open to other traffic)

railway train, any power [diesel] [electric] [steam]:

• funicular

• monorail or two-rail

• subterranean or elevated

other vehicle designed to run on a railway track

Excl.: interurban electric cars [streetcars] specified to be operating on a right-of- way that forms part of the public street or highway – see definition (t)

(t) A streetcar is a device designed and used primarily for transporting persons within a municipality, running on rails, usually subject to normal traffic control signals, and operated principally on a right-of-way that forms part of the roadway. A trailer being towed by a streetcar is considered a part of the streetcar.

Incl.: interurban electric car or streetcar, when specified to be operating on a street or public highway

tram (car)

trolley (car)

(u) A special vehicle mainly used on industrial premises is a motor vehicle designed primarily for use within the buildings and premises of industrial or commercial establishments.

Incl.: battery-powered:

• airport passenger vehicle

• truck (baggage)(mail)

coal-car in mine

forklift (truck)

logging car

self-propelled truck, industrial

station baggage truck (powered)

tram, truck or tub (powered) in mine or quarry

(v) A special vehicle mainly used in agriculture is a motor vehicle designed specifically for use in farming and agriculture (horticulture), for example to work the land, tend and harvest crops and transport materials on the farm.

Incl.: combine harvester

self-propelled farm machinery

tractor (and trailer)

(w) A special construction vehicle is a motor vehicle designed specifically for use in the construction (and demolition) of roads, buildings and other structures.

Incl.: bulldozer

digger

dumper truck

earth-leveller

mechanical shovel

road-roller

(x) A special all-terrain vehicle is a motor vehicle of special design to enable it to negotiate rough or soft terrain or snow. Examples of special design are high construction, special wheels and tyres, tracks, and support on a cushion of air.

Incl.: hovercraft on land or swamp

snowmobile

Excl.: hovercraft on open water – see definition (y)

(y) A watercraft is any device for transporting passengers or goods on water.

Incl.: hovercraft NOS

(z) An aircraft is any device for transporting passengers or goods in the air.

Classification and coding instructions for transport accidents

1. If an event is unspecified as to whether it was a traffic or a nontraffic accident, it is assumed to be:

1. A traffic accident when the event is classifiable to categories V10–V82 and V87.

2. A nontraffic accident when the event is classifiable to categories V83–V86. For these categories the victim is either a pedestrian, or an occupant of a vehicle designed primarily for off-road use.

2. When accidents involving more than one kind of transport are reported, the following order of precedence should be used:

aircraft and spacecraft (V95–V97)

watercraft (V90–V94)

other modes of transport (V01–V89, V98–V99)

3. Where transport accident descriptions do not specify the victim as being a vehicle occupant and the victim is described as:

classify the victim as a pedestrian (categories V01–V09).

4. Where transport accident descriptions do not indicate the victim’s role, such as:

classify the victim as an occupant or rider of the vehicle mentioned.

If more than one vehicle is mentioned, do not make any assumption as to which vehicle was occupied by the victim unless the vehicles are the same. Instead, code to the appropriate categories V87–V88, V90–V94, V95–V97, taking into account the order of precedence given in note 2 above.

5. Where a transport accident, such as:

vehicle (motor)(nonmotor):

• failing to make curve

• going out of control (due to):

  • burst tyre [blowout]

  • driver falling asleep

  • driver inattention

  • excessive speed

  • failure of mechanical part

resulted in a subsequent collision, classify the accident as a collision. If an accident other than a collision resulted, classify it as a noncollision accident according to the vehicle type involved.

6. Where a transport accident involving a vehicle in motion, such as:

resulted in a subsequent collision, classify the accident as a collision. If an accident other than a collision resulted, classify it as a noncollision accident according to the vehicle type involved.

7. Land transport accidents described as:

collision (due to loss of control)(on highway) between vehicle and:

overturning (without collision) are included in V18, V28, V38, V48, V58, V68, and V78

collision with animal (herded)(unattended) are included in V10, V20, V30, V40, V50, V60 and V70

collision with animal-drawn vehicle or animal being ridden are included in V16, V26, V36, V46, V56, V66 and V76.