The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) released the 4th edition of the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC) Guideline, a voluntary set of standards that helps the states decide what information to collect at the scene of a crash.
For example, the MMUCC encourages states to collect information on the blood alcohol content of a driver involved in a crash, information that had not been available from most states. An example of the kind of data that is collected is found in the chart below, which shows fatalities, by role, in crashes involving at least one driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher.
This kind of information can be used to guide legislators and regulators as they enact laws to make our roads safer.
This update of the MMUCC recommends collection of more information about distracted driving. Distracted driving has become a serious problem that needs to be addressed at every governmental level. I have also encouraged all drivers to take a pledge not to text and drive.
The new standard distracted driving information is more descriptive than in past versions of the MMUCC, and includes important facts such as whether the driver was manually operating an electronic communication device–like sending or receiving email or texts–talking on a hands-free device, or talking on a hand-held device.
Law enforcement officers will be encouraged to gather this wider range of information about drivers at the scene of a crash. Then, federal, state and local officials will analyze this information to more effectively directing resources where they can make the biggest difference in the fight against this deadly epidemic.
