Pennsylvania Statutes Title 75 Pa.C.S.A. Vehicles § 3753. Department to compile, tabulate and analyze accident reports

(a) Central accident records agency.--The department shall establish a central accident records agency which shall be the repository for all reportable traffic accidents as defined in this subchapter. The agency will have primary responsibility for the administration and supervision of storing, processing and providing the informational needs to all official agencies having responsibility in the highway transportation system. Accident reports submitted to the department under this subchapter shall be considered as records of the department, and the department may use any of the methods of storage permitted under the provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 6109 (relating to photographic copies of business and public records) and may reproduce such documents in accordance with the provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 6103 (relating to proof of official records). Such reports shall be admissible into evidence to support the department's case in an appeal of a department action that a licensee or registrant has taken under section 1377 (relating to judicial review) or 1550 (relating to judicial review), and the certification shall constitute prima facie proof of the facts and information contained in the accident report.

(b) Central accident analysis system.--The department shall provide accident data for analysis in selecting crash prevention programs and in evaluating the effectiveness of those programs implemented. The system shall provide an annual report to the General Assembly assessing traffic safety in Pennsylvania, including, but not limited to, an analysis of accident characteristics and mitigation strategies to reduce the potential for future accidents. In addition, the system shall be capable of providing:

(b.1) Certain reports.--The department shall biannually compile and make available to the public information submitted on an accident report concerning junior drivers with multiple passengers under 18 years of age and the use of seat belts by drivers and passengers under 18 years of age in motor vehicles involved in traffic accidents. The report shall note the number of passengers under 18 years of age if the driver involved in the accident was a junior driver and whether drivers and passengers under 18 years of age utilized a safety belt system. The data shall be included in a report submitted to the Transportation Committee of the Senate and the Transportation Committee of the House of Representatives.

(c) Highway safety statistics.--The department may compile such other statistics for such purposes as it might deem helpful in advancing highway safety.