Study and Sample Design Plan Review for Federal Compliance Programs: NHTSA's State Seat Belt Use Study

• Activity Number: 247
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 5, 2013 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Survey Research Methods Section
• Author(s): Martha Rozsi*+ and James L. Green
• Companies: Westat and Westat
• Keywords: Federal Compliance ; Traffic Safety ; Protocol Review ; Geographical Sampling ; Traffic Observational Studies

Abstract

Traffic crashes are a leading cause of death in the United States, but seat belt use has been shown to save lives and prevent injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires every state and territory to conduct a survey to monitor seat belt use. NHTSA issued the new Uniform Criteria for State Observational Surveys of Seat Belt Use on April 1, 2011 which the states are required to follow for their study design. These criteria require the states to update survey methods and select observation sites that are representative of the state's road segments in a cost-effective manner. Westat reviewed state study design plans for compliance with the operational, GIS, and statistical requirements of the criteria. We present the tools and process used for the reviews, as well as some observations and future recommendations on the statistical requirements.