traffic collision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "traffic collision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an incident where vehicles collide with each other or with other objects on the road. Example: "The traffic collision caused significant delays on the highway during rush hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The coroner recorded a verdict of death by road traffic collision on both men.

Independent

"An investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the road traffic collision," he said.

Independent

Tailbacks in all directions brought traffic to a standstill yesterday – DJLeekee took this photo – following a road traffic collision.

The Guardian

A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police said: "At 8.54pm last night police were called to Altrincham Road, Wilmslow, to the report of a single vehicle road traffic collision.

Independent

"This is the first midair traffic collision in Europe since the 1950's, so this is a system that operates very well," Mr. Gaillard said.

The New York Times

The club said: "Harlequins is deeply saddened to learn the news of the untimely death of Seb Adeniran-Olule in a road traffic collision".

The Guardian - Sport

The coroner said the Porsche was found "totalled with major traffic collision damage all around and it appeared that the vehicle was almost split in half".

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Robinson's helicopter has a traffic collision avoidance system that allows him to hear other aircraft as far as six miles away.

The New York Times

The Birmingham City striker was held on suspicion of failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision following the crash in central London in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Independent

An off-duty police officer was shot and wounded with his own gun after a traffic collision escalated to a shooting near the 5 Freeway in Castaic, Calif., early Saturday.

The New York Times

A verdict of death by road traffic collision was recorded by the coroner Mary Hassell, who said that Mr Gibbs could not reasonably have been expected to have spotted Ms Lee.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "traffic collision" when a formal and neutral term is required, especially in reports, news articles, or legal documents. It avoids potential emotional connotations associated with terms like "car crash".

Common error

Avoid using informal terms like "car crash" or "smash-up" in situations that require a professional or objective tone. Stick to "traffic collision" or similar formal alternatives in reports, legal documents, or news articles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "traffic collision" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific type of event. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct and commonly used to describe vehicular accidents.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

40%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "traffic collision" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes an event where vehicles collide. As Ludwig confirms, its grammatical status is correct. It serves primarily to report factual information in a neutral tone, often appearing in news reports and scientific studies. While alternatives like "car crash" or "road accident" exist, "traffic collision" maintains a formal register, making it suitable for official contexts. Remember to prioritize its use in formal writing and avoid informal terms to maintain professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motor vehicle collision

Synonymous, but more specific in indicating it involved a motor vehicle.

road traffic accident

Identical in meaning but with a slightly different word order, common in British English.

motor vehicle accident

Focuses on the vehicles involved and the accidental nature of the event.

vehicular accident

Focuses on the vehicular aspect and its accidental nature.

automobile collision

Synonymous, using "automobile" as a more formal term for car.

car crash

A more informal and direct way to describe a traffic collision, specifically involving cars.

road accident

Broader term that encompasses any accident occurring on a road, not necessarily involving two vehicles.

vehicle mishap

A more euphemistic term, downplaying the severity of the collision.

smash-up

An informal term indicating a forceful collision.

fender bender

Describes a minor collision, usually resulting in minimal damage.

FAQs

What's another way to say "traffic collision"?

You can use alternatives like "motor vehicle accident", "car crash", or "road accident" depending on the context.

Is "traffic collision" the same as "car accident"?

"Traffic collision" is a more formal and encompassing term. While "car accident" implies involvement of cars, "traffic collision" can involve various vehicles like trucks, motorcycles, and buses. They may be used interchangeably in some contexts, but understand the slight difference in scope.

How do I use "traffic collision" in a sentence?

You can use "traffic collision" in a sentence like this: "The "traffic collision" caused major delays on the highway" or "The police are investigating the "traffic collision" that occurred last night".

What is the difference between "traffic collision" and "traffic incident"?

"Traffic collision" specifically refers to an event where vehicles collide. "Traffic incident" is a broader term that can include any event disrupting traffic flow, such as road closures, disabled vehicles, or debris, as well as collisions.