Research & Evaluation

Behavioral Research

Behaviors and Attitudes

Resources
Reports Library (rosap)
Traffic Techs
NCSA Research Notes
Safety Facts
Alcohol Measurement Devices
Behavioral Research Databases

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.



215 Results
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Reducing Illegal Passing of Stopped School Buses: Demonstration Project

The project implemented a media campaign to reduce illegal passing of stopped school buses through use of automated cameras, plus an evaluation of the process and outcomes of the program approach to determine if the campaign was effective for reducing illegal passing behavior. The media campaign involved installing stop-arm cameras on school buses and paid media messaging to inform the communities of their legal duty when encountering stopped school buses, the presence of the cameras, and the tickets and fines for illegal passing.

 DOT HS 813 640

Driver Knowledge of School Bus Passing Laws: A National Survey

This report documents and outlines the results of a national survey of drivers assessing their knowledge about school bus passing laws to determine if and where knowledge gaps may exist. All States have laws making it illegal to pass a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop-arm deployed, but what constitutes illegal behavior in one jurisdiction may not be prohibited in another.

 DOT HS 813 630

State Laws Digest on Illegal School Bus Passing

This report summarizes the Nation’s laws in States and Territories covering a driver’s duties when passing a stopped school bus loading or unloading students. The behavior typically involves stopping for the school bus if it displays flashing red lights and its stop-arm. Illegal passings of stopped school buses loading and unloading students are frequent and can lead to serious pedestrian-involved crashes resulting in injury or death. As part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Congress directed NHTSA to review illegal passing laws in each State related to school buses.

 DOT HS 813 603

Novice Teen Driver Education Data Collection Guide

This Novice Teen Driver Education Data Collection Guide will help State driver education program administrators collect relevant and accurate data, the key to measuring program performance, providing insight to foster program improvement, create goals, and heighten support.

 DOT HS 813 612

A Framework for Assessing Pedestrian Exposure Using GPS and Accelerometer Walking Data - Report

This report examined pedestrian exposure metrics used in past studies; the study team then used data collected from electronic devices from two previous longitudinal studies on walking in the Seattle, Washington, area. This study provides a framework quantifying pedestrian exposure that can be used by other transportation municipalities to capture pedestrian exposure.

 DOT HS 813 583

Material Flammability Test Procedure Development Support

This report evaluates repeatability of material flammability assessment of different materials, including layered materials, using the Southwest Research Institute’s microscale combustion calorimeter (MCC) test method and associated performance criteria. The research compares FMVSS No. 302 and MCC data for 24 motor vehicle interior materials. The report assesses how sample variability affects MCC test repeatability. Additionally, the mass loss calorimeter test method was used to measure the maximum average rate of heat emission of materials used in motor vehicles.

 DOT HS 813 548

Driver Education and Training Promising Practices: A Systemic Literature Review

The Novice Teen Driver Education and Training Administrative Standards (NTDETAS) reflect current and recommended practice in driver education and are based on a foundation of expert opinion, experience, and consensus backed by available scientific evidence. This report identifies information gaps and key research questions related to standards and address them with recent evidence to enhance the veracity of what is included in the NTDETAS. The primary research questions identified three categories: the value of blended learning, the use of deliberate practice, and the application of technological approaches to driver education. These were addressed by a systematic literature of driver education. One critical issue is the upcoming generational transition from Gen Z to Gen Alpha (born 2010 to 2025).

 DOT HS 813 566

Countermeasures That Work: An Introductory Resource for Rural Communities

This report is an introduction to behavioral traffic safety countermeasures for rural stakeholders who want to build capacity, form partnerships, and address problems in their communities, based on NHTSA’s 11th edition of Countermeasures That Work. This new report features select speed, alcohol-impaired driving, and occupant protection countermeasures relevant to rural communities. It is not intended to be a comprehensive inventory of countermeasures for rural communities, or a list of expectations for what countermeasures should be implemented.

 DOT HS 813 597

Older Drivers’ Use of Rearview Video Systems

This study explored backing performance of drivers 60 or older while using rearview video systems (RVSs, or backing cameras). Half the participants had experience using RVSs. Analyses showed that experienced and inexperienced participants tended to use the RVS when available, but experienced users directed a greater proportion of backing time looking toward the RVS display. In addition, experienced users backed more accurately using the systems than did inexperienced users.

 DOT HS 813 565

Best Practices of Successful State Impaired-Driving Task Forces

This report details the methodology and results of a study to understand best practices of successful impaired-driving task forces in States. The study included a review of the literature, focusing on State-level reports, to understand the extent to which States convene impaired-driving task forces. Researchers then interviewed officials of nine task forces across NHTSA Regions to understand their context, operations, and best practices. The report discusses attributes of successful impaired-driving task forces including goals, charters, membership, leadership, meetings and attendance, agendas and subcommittees, strategic plan, actions and strategies, and measures of success.

 DOT HS 813 496