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.
| Title | |
|---|---|
Exploring the Relationship between Entry-Level Motorcycle Rider Training and Motorcycle CrashesResearch on entry-level motorcycle rider training has not supported the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of training and the relationship between entry-level motorcycle rider training and motorcyclist safety has not been thoroughly explored. This study explored the relationship between entry-level motorcyclist training and safety-related outcomes: (1) Do crash characteristics like collision type, contributing factors, etc., differ between trained and untrained riders? (2) Is there a difference in rider behavior (speed, impairment, or aggressive driving) between trained and untrained riders? (3) What types of citations were issued to trained and untrained riders operating motorcycles or passenger vehicles? (4) Do crash injury severity and type differ between trained and untrained riders? To address these questions, analysis of public records linking motorcyclists’ training to crash data, citation data, and hospital records was carried out using Maryland’s Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System. |
DOT HS 813 189 |
Activity Level, Performance, and Exposure Among Older DriversThis project explored the relationship between the fitness of older people – operationalized through multiple measures of physical activity level and cognitive status – and their driving performance and exposure. While higher physical activity levels generally were associated with better road test performance, in all cases relationships were very weak, accounting for less than 3% of the variance in the performance evaluations. |
DOT HS 812 734 |
Effectiveness of Dynamic Speed Feedback Signs, Volume I and IIThis two-volume report is a comprehensive, quantitative review of published research on the effectiveness of dynamic speed feedback signs (DSFSs) and presents evidence that DSFS can be effective in reducing mean speeds, 85th percentile speeds, and the percentage of drivers over the speed limit in a wide range of contexts. The clear majority of studies found significant reductions in speeds at the DSFS when the DSFS are activated across all types of vehicles and different installation locations. This publication, Volume II, presents the technical appendices and annotated bibliography. Volume I presents the literature review and meta-analysis. |
DOT HS 813 170-A, DOT HS 813 170-B |
Defining Contextual Variables Related to Seat Belt Use in Fatal CrashesThis report describes a study investigating some of the contextual and environmental characteristics of places that may influence seat belt use and, by implication, the lack of restraint in crash fatalities. In particular, on-premises businesses that sell alcohol for on-site consumption, off-premises businesses that sell alcohol for off-site consumption, and tourism locations were examined for potential relationships to the lack of restraint use in crash fatalities in the United States from 2012 to 2016. |
DOT HS 813 145 |
Impact Analysis of Bicycle Safety LawsBicycling is increasingly popular, economical, environmentally friendly, and has cardiovascular benefits. Many States have enacted bicycle traffic safety improvement laws such as safe passing, promote safer practices among bicyclists such as mandatory helmet use, or treat bicyclists as a separate class of road user, as with the Idaho Stop law. The Impact Analysis of Bicycle Safety Laws documented a study of six laws (safe passing, mandatory helmet use, bicycling under the influence, where-to-ride, sidewalk riding, and the Idaho stop) to determine if States and communities should create separate laws to govern bicyclists, and if bicyclist-specific traffic safety laws protect them from motor vehicle crash injuries and fatalities. |
DOT HS 813 123 |
National EMS Scope of Practice Model 2019: Including Change Notices 1.0 and 2.0The President’s National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness calls for immediate actions to support State and local efforts to enlist emergency medical services and firefighters to support vaccination efforts. The 2019 National EMS Scope of Practice Model Including Change Notices 1.0 and 2.0 adds intramuscular injection, vaccinations during a public health emergency, and nasal swab specimen collection to the scope of practice of EMS clinicians at the EMT and higher levels. |
DOT HS 813 151 |
A Primer for Evaluating Underage Drinking and Driving ProgramsThis primer is a practical “how-to” guide for practitioners and researchers interested in evaluating underage drinking and driving programs. It distills program evaluation and provide guidance specific to underage drinking and driving. Components address barriers to program evaluation; how to address challenges unique to developing and evaluating underage drinking and driving programs; key elements to look for when searching for effective interventions or programs; models and theories grounded in both public health and psychology that can serve as a guide for developing, implementing, and evaluating interventions and/or programs; evaluation standards from the CDC framework that can support a quality evaluation and assist when prioritizing and/or choosing from the multitude of options at each phase of program evaluation; and how to obtain Institutional Review Board approval. |
DOT HS 812 953 |
Update to Special Reports on Traffic Safety During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Fourth Quarter Data, Research Note, Traffic Safety FactsNHTSA is reviewing nationwide changes in traffic safety and observed behaviors caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency. This research note includes data through the end of the 2020 calendar year, updating earlier preliminary reports. The research note includes changes in travel patterns, rates of crash severity, and the prevalence of drugs and alcohol among seriously and fatally injured road users at select trauma centers. |
DOT HS 813 135 |
Exploring the Predictive Validity of Drug Evaluation and Classification Program EvaluationsThis report seeks to determine which combinations of drug-related signs and symptoms from the Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) protocol most efficiently and effectively predict the drug category or combination used by the subject. A sample of 2,261 DEC evaluations conducted on suspected drug-impaired drivers included cases involving specific drug categories and two-drug combinations commonly encountered by DREs. This study also examined how effectively the set of drug-related measures from the DEC procedure could distinguish drug-positive from drug-negative cases for two common drug categories (cannabis and CNS depressants) and the relative importance of clinical, behavioral and observational measures in predicting drug categories responsible for impairment. Thirteen drug-related indicators were found to significantly contribute to the prediction of drug category; 12 indicators contributed significantly to the prediction of drug combinations. |
DOT HS 812 959 |
High-Visibility Enforcement: Assessing Change and Identifying OpportunitiesIn this study the research team interviewed nine officials from State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) to determine if they perceived a change in participation in or support for high-visibility enforcement (HVE) over the past decade. The research team also interviewed six SHSO or local law enforcement agency (LEA) officials to profile innovative strategies that States or LEAs are using to increase law enforcement participation in HVE. Most of the nine SHSO officials believed there has been a decrease in law enforcement participation in and support for grant-funded HVE activities over the last 10 years, and the SHSO officials identified several common challenges to participation in HVE. However, interviews with SHSO and LEA officials regarding innovative strategies being used to increase participation in HVE revealed possible solutions for these challenges. |
DOT HS 813 066 |