What came before the crash? An investigation through SHRP2 NDS data

•An empirical methodology to launch indicators for exploring pre-crash conditions regarding vehicle kinematics in NDS was developed.•A unique process, to identify the moment where TTC starts to reduce, was employed based on multilevel modelling.•The findings could pave the way in the development of new ADAS, rendering them able to stop an early deviation before it culminates in a crash.