OBJECTIVE: To compare the characters and outcome s of patients injured from traffic accidents in different rank hospitals. METHODS: From 8 hospitals of ranks I-III, 1915 cases were sa mpled and divided into 4 groups. Injuries of all patients were accessed by the method of RTS, AIS-ISS-AP and ASCOT. RESULTS: (1) The higher rank of hospitals, the severer the pati ents' condition were. Mean ISSs in hospital ranks II and III were greater tha n 16, which were recommended as a standard of severe trauma. (2) Transportation of se vere patients to high level hospitals prolonged the pre-hospital duration by 5 -9 h. (3) Factors contributing to death were the trauma severity, complications, hospital ranks that reflect the quality of the medical care. CONCLUSIONS: (1) This sample of 1915 cases matches the condit ion of most Chinese hospitals in characteristics of traffic trauma patients. (2 ) Most Chinese hospitals can be divided into 3 degree of trauma center by a crite ria of ISS and the unexpected death. (3) Incidence of multiple injuries shows no significant difference in each rank of hospitals. (4) The relationship between the hospital rank and the quality of trauma care is significant. We suggest tha t a RTS=11 or ISS=9 be triaged to trauma center, and a 10% Ps (survival pr obability) less than the average Ps of a hospital be triage to higher level hosp itals.