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                Crashworthiness Data System (CDS)
**Description:**
        The Crashworthiness Data System (CDS) is a component of the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) and has detailed data on a representative, random sample of thousands of minor, serious, and fatal crashes. Approximately 5,000 passenger car, light truck, van, and utility vehicle crashes are studied annually by trained crash investigators from Primary Sampling Units (PSUs). Investigators study evidence (e.g., skid marks or damaged guardrails), measure crash damage, identify interior locations that were struck by occupants, interview crash victims, and review medical records to determine the nature and severity of injuries.

The database includes data not typically found in police crash reports (e.g., information from medical records). Personal information, including specific crash locations are not included in the CDS data files. Data must pass quality control standards built into the NASS data collection cycle before being approved for inclusion in the database.
    
          **Tool Type:**
        Database
    
    
    
          **Owner Source:**
        federal
    
          **Sponsor/Owner:**
        National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
    
        **Published:**
      2015
    
        **Availability:**
      The data are available free of charge at the following link: CDS Data
Further information can be found at: CDS Overview.
    
          **Disclaimer:**
        This information is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the use of the information contained herein. This information does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturer's names appear in this information only because they are considered essential to the objective of this publication.
          Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations, and translations thereof, expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Highway Administration. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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