The primary goal of epidemiology is to understand the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. The NHTSA contributes significantly to this field by providing data on traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities. This data is essential for epidemiologists to identify risk factors, track trends over time, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving road safety. By understanding these patterns, public health officials can develop targeted strategies to reduce traffic-related morbidity and mortality.