State of the Practice of Alcohol Ignition Interlock Programs [Traffic Tech]

A breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) is a test device mounted near the dashboard that prevents the vehicle from being driven unless the driver provides a breath sample indicating a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) lower than a pre-set level, usually .02 g/dL. BAIIDs are an important type of sanction for driving while impaired (DWI) offenses. Initially used primarily for repeat DWI offenders, BAIIDs are now sanctions used for many types of DWI offenses, including first-time offenses. An offender assigned an interlock must first enroll in the State BAIID program, which incurs enrollment fees and other requirements

Evaluation of Rear-Seat Belt Laws [Traffic Tech]

This Traffic Tech briefly summarizes the report, \u201cEvaluation of Rear-Seat Belt Laws.\u201d Recent upgrades to these rear-seat belt law in two States were documented, based on information gathered from legislative websites, news articles, and other Internet sources, as well as interviews with key observers. Successful strategies and challenges were identified. An additional goal evaluated the effect of adult rear-seat belt laws on rear-seat belt use using an observational survey

Characteristics of State Law Enforcement Liaison Programs: Case Studies [Traffic Tech]

This edition of Traffic Tech briefly summarizes an upcoming NHTSA report, Characteristics of State Law Enforcement Liaison Programs: Case Studies, which described in detail the results of interviews with state law enforcement liaisons (LELs) regarding the attributes they believed most important to reach their work goals in promoting traffic safety activities among law enforcement agencies

A Guide for Traffic Safety Practitioners: Best Practices for Increasing Seat Belt Use in Rural Communities [Traffic Tech]

This edition of Traffic Tech brief describes the four major components of NHTSA\u2019s forthcoming report, A Guide for Traffic Safety Practitioners: Best Practices for Increasing Seat Belt Use in Rural Communities. This resource will give rural traffic safety practitioners information to implement best practices, including examples of evidence-based and promising programs, to increase seat belt use in rural areas

Development of Discrete Size Measurement Methodologies for Motorcycle Helmets

FMVSS No. 218 defines the discrete size of a motorcycle helmet and requires it on the label; however, it does not specify how to measure the size. In addition, there is no standard procedure for determining the helmet positioning index (HPI) used to align the helmet on the headform for measurements and testing. This research developed procedures to determine HPI and to measure discrete size of motorcycle helmets. Four methods for measuring discrete size and one method for determining the HPI were developed and evaluated

Standardized reporting using CODES (Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System)

DTNH-22-97-H-07282While CODES projects have expanded to 25 states, there is no standardized reporting of the outcome measures that are available with linked data. This paper describes our efforts to build a standard format for reporting these outcomes. This format is conceptualized by laying the injury \u201cpyramid\u201d on its side. Outcome measures are reported as columns across a page with increasing levels of severity from left to right. We discuss several aspects of format development including levels of reporting, specific outcome measures, rates, and selection of appropriate denominators. These simplified reports can be used to plan further studies or as a source of information for fact sheets for further dissemination. Examples of implementation of these reports are provided from the Maine CODES project

Alcohol and Drug Prevalence Among Seriously or Fatally Injured Road Users [Traffic Tech]

This Traffic Tech briefly describes a full report, Alcohol and Drug Prevalence Among Seriously or Fatally Injured Road Users NHTSA is publishing soon. The report examines alcohol and drug use among road users (drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists) seriously injured or killed in traffic crashes. Blood samples were collected from seriously injured people admitted to seven Level-1 trauma centers and deceased people at four medical examiners\u2019 offices. The blood samples were tested for over-the-counter, prescription, and major categories of illegal drugs

Exploring the Impact of Select Speed-Reducing Countermeasures on Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety [Traffic Tech]

DTNH2217D00042/ DTNH2017F00184Speed is a contributor to both crash frequency and crash severity. This project explored efforts to reduce speed and evaluated their effectiveness in improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. This project included two phases. Phase 1 was a program scan that identified countermeasures in use throughout the United States. Based on findings from the program scan, the project team evaluated automated speed enforcement (ASE) and road conversions in five municipalities to explore their impact on motor vehicle\u2010related pedestrian and bicyclist crashes. ASE evaluations showed potential for reductions in pedestrian and bicyclist crashes with results limited to one type of deployment in one location. Evaluations of road conversions showed potential reductions in pedestrian and bicyclist injury crashes and mixed results for total injury\u2010related crashes. Phase 2 of the project evaluated safety benefits of a select group of temporary road conversions implemented in response to the COVID\u201019 pandemic. A scan for localities identified locations with temporary installations to create space for pedestrians and bicyclists. This phase included an evaluation that found a crash reduction benefit in the short term and identified quick\u2010build installations and promising measures to test conversion designs before permanent installations

Cognitive Conditions\u2014 Driving-Related Fact Sheet For Medical Professionals

This medical fact sheet discusses cognitive conditions 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