ARCHIVE DOCUMENTATION STUDY NO: 4356 STUDY TITLE: Road Accident Data, 1999 Details of Dataset received: ---------------------------- Dataset received from the Road Accidents Branch, DETR. Format, software, media: ------------------------ DATA acc99.dat - ascii data file - accident record veh99.dat - ascii data file - vehicle record cas99.dat - ascii data file - casualty record DOCUMENTATION exportguide.doc - Word format guide to variables and values and export data file record layout. stats2099.doc - Word format guide (STATS20) including STATS19 accident forms. Validation and conversion: -------------------------- Conversion process: ------------------- DATA All three ascii files were checked thoroughly and converted to SPSS format, using SPSS 9.0 for Windows. Variable and value labels were added. Three SPSS portable files (veh99.por, cas99.por and acc99.por) were created as a result of this process, and were checked thoroughly. The ascii .dat files are also available as an alternative format. Changes to variable names in SPSS files --------------------------------------- Many of the variable names contained within each ascii file are in an unsuitable format for SPSS. Therefore, variable names have had to be changed from those listed in the PDF user guide for each file. The changes are as follows: 1. Accident record file (acc99): ------------------------------- Variables ACCYR, ACCREF, A3, ACCDAY, ACCMTH, A7, A8H, A8M, Other variables are changed as follows: 1.2 - changed to a1_2 1.5 - changed to a1_5 1.6 - changed to a1_6 1.10 - changed to a1_10 1.12 - changed to a1_12 1.13 - changed to a1_13 1.14 - changed to a1_14 1.15 - changed to a1_15 1.16 - changed to a1_16 1.17 - changed to a1_17 1.18 - changed to a1_18 1.19 - changed to a1_19 1.20A - changed to a1_20a 1.20B - changed to a1_20b 1.21 - changed to a1_21 1.22 - changed to a1_22 1.23 - changed to a1_23 1.24 - changed to a1_24 1.25 - changed to a1_25 1.26 - changed to a1_26 2. Vehicle record file (veh99): ----------------------------- Variables ACCYR, ACCREF, V7, V8, V15, V24 and V25 remain the same. Other variables are changed as follows: 2.4 - changed to v2_4 2.5 - changed to v2_5 2.6 - changed to v2_6 2.7 - changed to v2_7 2.9A - changed to v2_9a 2.9B - changed to v2_9b 2.10 - changed to v2_10 2.11 - changed to v2_11 2.12 - changed to v2_12 2.13 - changed to v2_13 2.14 - changed to v2_14 2.16 - changed to v2_16 2.17 - changed to v2_17 2.21 - changed to v2_21 2.22 - changed to v2_22 2.23 - changed to v2_23 2.24 - changed to v2_24 In December 2004, the breath test data variable (V2_23) was removed from the Vehicle Record file at the request of the depositor. 3. Casualty record file (cas99): ------------------------------- Variables ACCYR, ACCREF, C13 and C16 remain the same. Other variables are changed as follows: 3.4 - changed to c3_4 3.5 - changed to c3_5 3.6 - changed to c3_6 3.7 - changed to c3_7 3.8 - changed to c3_8 3.9 - changed to c3_9 3.10 - changed to c3_10 3.11 - changed to c3_11 3.12 - changed to c3_12 3.13 - changed to c3_13 3.15 - changed to c3_15 3.16 - changed to c3_16 DOCUMENTATION Word files were converted to Adobe Acrobat PDF format using Exchange 3.0 software, and compiled into a User Guide. Bookmarks were added to aid navigation. Summary of value-added outputs: ------------------------------- SPSS files created and variable/value labels added. PDF format User Guide created. Constraints on the reliability and/or usability of the data: ------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Variable V15 in file veh99: ------------------------------ During checking and SPSS file creation, the variable V15 (vehicle prefix/suffix letter) was found to contain numeric codes as well as alphabetical codes for vehicle registration. The User Guide lists the values for these numeric codes as 2 to 5, but the codes contained in the variable run 0 to 4. This was queried with the depositor, who advised that the correct codes are as follows: 1 Unknown or cherished no. 2 Foreign or diplomatic 3 Military 4 Trade Plates These values have been added to the SPSS file, and a note added to the PDF User Guide. However, the depositor also advised that this variable is under review, and that users should be advised that national coverage of this variable is very patchy - its use is strongly discouraged at present. 2. Vehicle Data ---------------- Users should also note that the variable/value label information given for Vehicle Data on page 6 of the PDF user guide does not list the variables in file order. The Record Layout for Vehicle Records, however, on page 16 of the guide, does list them in file order. 3. Casualty Record file - cas99 ------------------------------- Variable C13 (seat belt usage) is noted in the user guide (page 7) as being available for 1979-1993 only, but is present in the 1999 data and also in data for the years 1994-1998 (see other datasets in the series). Any outstanding problems or queries: ------------------------------------ See above. Technical report recommended/essential: --------------------------------------- Users are advised to obtain the published report available for this study. The full bibliographic reference is as follows: Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions, Scottish Executive and National Assembly for Wales (2000) "Road accidents Great Britain 1999: the casualty report", London: The Stationery Office. ISBN 0115522530.