In 2004, traffic accidents resulted in 5,232 deaths and 108,727 injuries. To date, France lacks a comprehensive epidemiological surveillance system for traffic accidents, covering both triggering and contributing factors as well as treatment and consequences. The fight against road safety issues is part of the presidential priorities outlined in 2002. In 2003, the Directorate General for Health (DGS) asked the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) to establish an effective surveillance system aimed at improving knowledge about road traffic accidents. [...] To develop proposals for the epidemiological surveillance of traffic accidents, two approaches were coordinated: - A literature review to identify gaps in scientific knowledge in the field of road accidentology. - A consultation with experts in the field of road accidentology to help determine the surveillance proposals. The synthesis of the information thus obtained was intended to fulfill the following objectives: - Define the role that the InVS should play in its mission to monitor the health status of populations regarding road accidentology and associated consequences. - Determine the contributions that the Rhône Registry of Road Traffic Accident Victims can make to surveillance, in its current configuration, and in its planned expansion to other departments in the Rhône-Alpes region.