NHTSA changes National Roadside Survey methodology to address concerns

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The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently changed the methodology for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) National Roadside Survey.

The survey has been conducted once per decade since 1973. It estimates drug and alcohol use by drivers. The most recent survey was conducted in 2013-2014.

“NHTSA’s protocols are designed to ensure that drivers understand that participation in the survey is voluntary and anonymous, and, midway through the 2013-2014 survey, NHTSA changed several survey protocols to help drivers understand that they have the choice of whether to participate,” GAO said.

GAO conducted an audit beginning in October and ending this month. GAO spoke to public safety stakeholders and researchers on the value of the survey’s data.

The researchers and public safety stakeholders said the survey was valuable because there is no other source of drug and alcohol use among drivers. They also felt the survey results were reliable.

Some of the methodology changes include driver participation. In the past, every third driver at a checkpoint is invited to participate in the survey. Surveyors explain the details of the survey and that it is voluntary. GAO suggested drivers are stopped in a specific sequence and that drivers are accessed for impairment.

GOA also recommended the checkpoint is marked with flashing lights and not identified as a survey.