Research & Evaluation
Behavioral Research
Behaviors and Attitudes
NHTSA studies behaviors and attitudes in highway safety, focusing on drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and motorcyclists. We identify and measure behaviors involved in crashes or associated with injuries, and develop and refine countermeasures to deter unsafe behaviors and promote safe alternatives.
Our recently published reports and research notes are listed chronologically below. To the right are additional resources including Traffic Techs.
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State of Knowledge on Older DriversThis report described a systematic literature review that summarizes, evaluates, and synthesizes research published since 1999 on the safety of older drivers. It describes the selected studies, produced results across studies, and weighs study quality of the best evidence to date. It can be a reference document for both in-house use and use by other Federal agencies, State Highway Safety Offices, and other partners. The report is also useful to officials involved in licensing decisions, healthcare practitioners who advise older patients about fitness-to-drive, and researchers in the field of aging and older-driver safety. |
DOT HS 813 535 |
Child Passenger Safety Perception and Practices in Ride-Sharing Vehicles - PowerPoint PresentationThis PowerPoint slide was created to explore a new method to get summary information across to a non-technical audience. The slide is intended to be used in presentations on child restraint use when giving an overview of the topic |
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Child Passenger Safety Perception and Practices in Ride-Sharing Vehicles - ReportThis study explored how children are restrained when traveling in ride-share vehicles. An observational survey was conducted from July to August 2022. The target population was children from birth to 12 years old transported in ride-share vehicles. About half of children observed were traveling unrestrained and the remainder were either using the vehicle seat belt or some type of child restraint system (CRS). A substantial percentage of infants (46%), toddlers (49%), and children (51%) were traveling unrestrained. The observed CRS use rate was 8.1%, with 41% of restrained children using seat belts. |
DOT HS 813 532 |
Updated Literature Review of the Effects of Medical Conditions on DrivingThis report updates research describing the effect of medical conditions on driving performance and safety. A literature search and discussion with driving safety professionals gives information used to select the medical conditions for review: attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD; autism spectrum disorder (ASD); cardiovascular disease (CVD); diabetes; mild cognitive impairment (MCI); obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); peripheral neuropathy; stroke; syncope; traumatic brain injury (TBI)/concussion. Results suggest that while some conditions may have a negative effect on driving performance and safety (ADHD and TBI), others typically have little effect (CVD and stroke) or were characterized by less conclusive findings (ASD, diabetes, MCI, and OSA). Improved understanding of medical conditions on driving is useful for physicians and other healthcare providers, licensing agencies, and traffic safety researches. |
DOT HS 813 503 |
Review of Risk Communication Strategies and Existing Occupant Protection Safety Messages: Supplemental Technical ReportThis project included tasks designed to identify psychological and communication theory to support traffic safety campaigns, identify campaigns currently using theory, obtain information from States about current traffic safety campaigns, and create resources for States and local jurisdictions to aid them in appropriately applying effective, theory-based campaign approaches to prevent distracted and alcohol-impaired driving. |
DOT HS 813 500 |
Review of Risk Communication Strategies and Existing Alcohol-Impaired and Distracted Driving Safety Messages: Technical ReportThis project included tasks designed to identify psychological and communication theory to support traffic safety campaigns, identify campaigns currently using theory, obtain information from States about current traffic safety campaigns, and create resources for States and local jurisdictions to aid them in appropriately applying effective, theory-based campaign approaches to prevent distracted and alcohol-impaired driving. |
DOT HS 813 499 |
Evaluation of North Dakota’s 24/7 Sobriety Program - ReportThis report briefly summarizes the findings of the North Dakota 24/7 sobriety program that monitors people arrested for or convicted of criminal offenses in which alcohol or other drugs were factors, including driving under the influence. Results found statistically significant reductions in arrests of repeat DUI offenders, especially after North Dakota enacted a law in 2013 that requires program participation for repeat offenders. The study adds to the evidence that the 24/7 sobriety program is an effective strategy for reducing repeat DUI offenses |
DOT HS 813 494 |
Electronic Device Use: A Review of the Literature on Addictive BehaviorsThis project aimed to determine if excessive device use while driving is the result of an addiction, why this behavior persists, and what countermeasures to consider. This Traffic Tech briefly summarizes it. Reviewers consulted academic, government, and private-sector material from several disciplines including human factors, traffic safety, psychology, and demography. More than 270 sources were reviewed with 155 critically reviewed using a structured document summary template. Reviewers found that electronic device use did not qualify for the formal definition of addiction described in DSM-5 since device users are not proven to demonstrate every aspect of addiction. However, excessive device use can mimic aspects of addiction since dependent users report a craving for their phone, they rely on mobile phones to relieve distress, and their emotions are highly influenced by their phones. Reviewers find that problematic device use is more likely to persist among certain demographics and personality types, including young people, less wealthy people, people with low self-esteem, and people with higher levels of anxiety, impulsivity, extraversion, and sensation-seeking. |
DOT HS 813 461 |
A Guide for Traffic Safety Practitioners: Best Practices for Increasing Seat Belt Use in Rural CommunitiesThis report gives rural traffic safety practitioners the information needed to implement best practices, including examples of evidence-based and promising programs, to increase seat belt use in rural areas. Rural motor vehicle occupants are at an increased risk for crash-related deaths compared to their urban counter¬parts. One contributing factor is the lower use of seat belts in rural areas compared to urban areas. The Best Practices Guide for Increasing Seat Belt Use in Rural Communities is designed for rural traffic safety practitioners to plan, implement, and evaluate programs to increase seat belt use in rural communities. It describes evidence-based and promising seat belt programs, and shares lessons learned from traffic safety practitioners and experts. It includes examples of seat belt programs that have been successfully adapted for use in different settings, including rural communities. The guide was informed by a literature review and discussions with traffic safety practitioners and experts. It contains four modules to help traffic safety practitioners develop, implement, and evaluate rural seat belt programs: understanding seat belt use in rural communities; selecting evidence-based or promising rural seat belt program models; implementing rural seat belt programs; and evaluating them. |
DOT HS 813 464 |
Physical Limitations: Driving-Related Fact Sheet for Medical ProfessionalsThis medical fact sheet discusses physical limitations and their impact on driving. It further provides recommendations for clinicians regarding their role in counseling patients about driving safety. For more information go to www.medscape.com. |
DOT HS 812 888i |