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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Pilot Test of a Methodology for an Observation Survey of Motorcycle Personal Protective EquipmentThis project addressed the need for information on use of motorcycle personal protective equipment (PPE), including the use of certified helmets, sturdy jackets and pants, over-the-ankle boots, and riding gloves. Although motorcycle safety advocates and safety programs encourage the use of PPE, the use rate is not well known or easily determined. This project sought to develop a methodology suitable for jurisdictions to use when seeking data on the motorcycle PPE usage, and to produce a valid assessment of PPE. The methodology was deployed in Florida across two rounds of data collection. The project outcome supports motorcycle safety programs and highway safety offices in their efforts to obtain information on the use rate of motorcycle safety gear. |
DOT HS 813 062 |
State of Knowledge and Practice for Using Automated License Plate Readers for Traffic Safety PurposesAutomatic license plate readers (ALPRs) are an important tool in law enforcement and traffic safety. This report gathered information on and provided insight into law enforcement agency implementation and use of ALPRs for traffic safety purposes, with specific emphasis on its use for detecting drivers with revoked, suspended, or restricted licenses. Researchers used two research methods, a literature review and six case studies representing city, county, and State LEAs in a mix of geographic locations. The evidence gleaned from the case studies provides additional indicators to support the effectiveness of ALPR for traffic safety purposes—when viewed in terms of efficiency and productivity gains as well as improvements in traffic safety by culling vehicles that are more prone to crash risk. Effectiveness as a traffic safety countermeasure was often viewed as a secondary outcome—as a by-product of looking for stolen vehicles or other criminal activity. |
DOT HS 813 051 |
Evaluation of On-Site Oral Fluid Drug Screening TechnologyOral fluid (saliva) has become popular for drug detection in criminal justice, workplace, and impaired-driving populations. The advantages compared to blood and urine include a noninvasive procedure with minimal potential for adulteration. They can be collected at the time of driving and/or arrest, allowing for better correlation between signs and symptoms of impairment compared to drugs detected in a biological sample collected later. Several point-of-contact oral fluid collection devices have been developed and marketed for use in the field without any controlled assessment to evaluate their applicability and quality. This report evaluates the latest generation to assess their accuracy, reliability and performance. Five devices, the Dräger DrugTest® 5000 (DDT5000), Dräger DrugCheck 3000 (DDC3000), Securetec DrugWipe S 5-Panel (DrugWipe), the Alere DDS 2 Mobile System (DDS2), and the AquilaScan Oral Fluids Testing Detection System were chosen. Testing and cutoff concentrations were based on two important previous studies, the Roadside Testing Assessment, which recommended greater than greater than 90% sensitivity and specificity and greater than 95 percent% accuracy, and Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, Alcohol and Medicines method, which recommended greater than 80% percent sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. |
DOT HS 812 811 |
Indirect Effects of School Bus Seat Belt InstallationThe project is a synthesis of the research findings, a literature review, and program scan summarizing data on the indirect effects of seat belts on school buses. Findings also include anecdotal observations from bus drivers and school district officials obtained from a concurrent NHTSA report, Education on Proper Use of Seat Belts on School Buses (Report No. DOT HS 812 999). Overall, findings indicate seat belt use is associated with improved student behavior and reduced bus driver distraction. Seat belt use is higher when required-use policies are in place, and that seat belt use is heavily reliant on the efforts of the bus drivers. A more-detailed study focusing on the indirect benefits experienced by a sample of school jurisdictions would better quantify the potential outcomes of school bus seat belts. |
DOT HS 813 049 |
Examination of Three Districts Implementing Stop Arm Camera Programs to Enforce Laws Against Illegal Passing of Stopped School BusesThis study included a literature review of stop-arm camera implementations in the United States; a detailed examination of stop-arm camera implementation in three school districts; and an analysis of previously collected camera-enforcement data from an additional 33 districts obtained from a camera vendor. The three districts in the study provided information about their experiences in implementing photo enforcement, including their experiences with legislation; reactions and experiences of their bus drivers; efforts to educate and inform the public; cooperation with law enforcement; successes and challenges in issuing citations and penalties; and lessons learned. |
DOT HS 813 102 |
A Guide to Implementing Child Passenger Safety Inspection StationsBrief Description: Child passenger safety (CPS) inspection stations (also known as “car seat check locations” or “fitting stations”) and child passenger safety technicians (CPSTs) have been conducting child safety seat inspections for over 20 years. In 1997 NHTSA’s national training program to certify CPSTs and instructors was implemented. This guide is intended to define a CPS inspection station, examine the need for permanent CPS inspection stations, address the importance of building community support for CPS inspection stations, discuss the key elements of a successful CPS inspection station, and identify resources for implementing and maintaining CPS inspection stations. |
DOT HS 812 692 |
High Visibility Enforcement and Seat Belt UseHigh-visibility enforcement (HVE) is a traffic safety approach designed to deter unlawful behaviors and promote voluntary behavior change in accordance with traffic laws. HVE deters risky behavior by reminding motorists through communications and additional enforcement that they may be pulled over for illegal behaviors. Over the past two decades, traffic safety programs have used and evaluated HVE efforts to change many risky behaviors. This Traffic Tech summarizes evaluations of HVE effectiveness for seat belt use. |
DOT HS 813 070 |
Update to Special Report on Traffic Safety During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Third Quarter Data, Research Note, Traffic Safety FactsThis is an update to NHTSA's recent Special Reports examining traffic safety trends during the COVID public health emergency. |
DOT HS 813 069 |
Education on Proper Use of Seat Belts on School BusesNHTSA sponsored this project to understand how school districts that purchase large school buses with seat belts can maximize their effectiveness and benefit by improving proper usage. The project obtained observational data on the impact of seat belts on student behavior on buses and on bus driver distraction. It examined how policies were carried out by school bus drivers, and consequences for non-compliance. In general, the most important factors were training, education, and enforcement. Most survey respondents said seat belts on school buses contributed to calmer and less distracted environments for school bus drivers. |
DOT HS 812 999 |
Psychological Constructs Related to Seat Belt Use, Volume 2: Results ReportTen percent of the U.S. population does not consistently wear a seat belt while driving, and a much larger portion admit to not consistently wearing seat belts when riding in the back seat or in other situations. In this study, researchers conducted a nationally representative survey to investigate associations between self-reported seat belt use and 18 psychological constructs. |
DOT HS 813 029 |