This page contains an excerpt from GHSA's Policies and Priorities document outlining GHSA's policy on traffic records.
Excerpted from GHSA Policies & Priorities
States rely heavily on traffic records in order to identify highway safety problems, select program alternatives and evaluate the effectiveness of safety programs. GHSA believes that accurate federal and state data collection, reporting, analysis and linkage are critical to the success of highway safety programs and also provide the basis for program evaluation and cost-benefit analysis.
Crash data standardization is needed to measure progress in highway safety across the nation. GHSA encourages state and local jurisdictions to implement the uniform crash data elements of the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC). States are also encouraged to collect the uniform data elements of the National EMS Information System (NEMSIS).
GHSA also supports the development of integrated state traffic records systems with linkage between databases such as MMUCC, NEMSIS, driver, vehicle, roadway, citation and adjudication and other injury databases.
GHSA supports states’ efforts to create and implement DUI information systems for the purpose of tracking offenders from arrest through imposition and completion of administrative or judicial sanction, identifying high-risk impaired drivers, identifying the problems associated with impaired driving and effectively evaluating countermeasures. NHTSA has developed guidelines for a model state DUI information system. GHSA supports the model guidelines and urges the federal government to provide adequate funding for implementation of state automated DUI information systems that are consistent with the model guidelines to the maximum extent practicable. Additionally, NHTSA should provide the necessary leadership to promote DUI information systems, convey their importance to states, collaborate with other federal agencies to link DUI-related databases, provide technical assistance and promote best practices.
In order to identify repeat offenders, it is important to retain drunk driving records for a long time and allow for long “look back” periods. States are urged to retain drunk driving records to allow at least a 10-year look back period.