Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC) are a voluntary set of guidelines that help states collect consistent, reliable crash data that are more effective for identifying traffic safety problems, establishing goals and performance measures, and monitoring the progress of programs.

Some of America’s leading traffic safety experts worked together to develop the MMUCC guidelines, including representatives from groups in safety, engineering, emergency medical services, law enforcement, public health, and motor carriers.

Before MMUCC, planning efforts for safety programs at all levels were hindered by unreliable and inconsistent data that often led to incorrect interpretations. Now, MMUCC allows states to share and compare better data, and provides them with an invaluable tool for developing traffic safety policies.

"Law enforcement officers are the starting point where crash data are collected and implemented in the field, and traffic safety programs begin with us. MMUCC allows us to better target our resources to where we see problems, which leads to fewer deaths and injuries on the roadways, and that's why we're in the business."

Lt. C. Lance Mathess
Planning Services Section
Ohio State Safety Patrol

"If you're looking at a new system for crash data collection, take a look at the MMUCC guidelines, and you'll be surprised at how many of the data elements you're already collecting. We found it very easy to adopt MMUCC."

Rosa U. Gill
Director of Traffic Records
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Motor Vehicle Division

"MMUCC has given us the opportunity to get down to some significant highway safety issues. Based on MMUCC crash data, we isolated ten locations with a high incidence of accidents involving drinking drivers and speeders. We funded overtime for police officers in the ten locations, and there were major reductions in crashes due to speed and drunk driving in those areas."

James E. Champagne
Executive Director
Louisiana Highway Safety Commission

Law enforcement officers play the critical role of collecting crash data on the scene, and the reports they file serve as the foundation for developing traffic safety programs. MMUCC allows state and local police departments to collect better data, which helps them target their enforcement activities more effectively. More efficient enforcement planning allows officers to spend more time on patrol and less time on paperwork.

Although MMUCC is more comprehensive, time collecting data at the crash scene will not be increased because some data elements are derived or obtained after linkage to other sources. A vehicle’s license number can link to a registration file or a driver’s driving history - just one example of how MMUCC opens up new information sources.

Delivering Accurate,
Consistent Crash Data

Crash data are not just a tool for courts and insurance companies, but also for the medical community, traffic engineers, planners and others who share a stake in reducing traffic injuries and fatalities. MMUCC makes it possible to aggregate data for intra- or inter-state comparisons to identify problem areas and target enforcement countermeasures.

Shaping Sound Traffic Safety Policy

For elected officials, and others who set traffic safety policies, MMUCC can provide crucial information to help develop programs for safer roadways and quantify the need for funding requests.

Researchers can use MMUCC data to pinpoint specific intersections and roads for high crash rates. Further analysis of MMUCC data can lead to understanding of causes and point to solutions, such as identification of sites for placement of traffic devices and stepped-up enforcement initiatives.

Making MMUCC Work for You

States that adopt MMUCC are surprised to find out how easy it is to put it into practice. In most cases, they are already collecting the majority of the data elements included in MMUCC. The key to successful MMUCC adoption is a collaborative approach that involves everyone, including law enforcement, the state department of transportation, traffic safety policymakers, and various data users.

More information about MMUCC can be obtained by contacting one of the organizations on the MMUCC home page.