Kentucky’s program for traffic safety records performance measurement: Lessons learned and implications for database reform policies

Increasing highway safety is a critical transportation policy priority. To further that goal, NHTSA released a set of model performance measures for state traffic records databases, although states are free to develop their own metrics. This paper presents the results of Kentucky’s program to develop metrics to measure the performance attributes of its traffic records databases (timeliness, accuracy, completeness, consistency and uniformity, integration, and accessibility). After a brief discussion of the complex nature of the traffic records database system, Kentucky’s performance measurement program is described. Differences across the databases in obtaining useful information are noted, and implications are identified for database improvements. The paper documents advances in data accuracy, timeliness, and completeness. Findings are then connected to the broader effort to improve traffic records databases, including the construction of effective traffic records strategic plans.