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GAO-18-328R 1 (2018-03-12)

handle is hein.gao/gaobacpfw0001 and id is 1 raw text is: GAO U.S. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE 441 G St. N.W. Washington, DC 20548 March 12, 2018 The Honorable Thad Cochran Chairman The Honorable Patrick Leahy Vice Chairman Committee on Appropriations United States Senate The Honorable Rodney Frelinghuysen Chairman The Honorable Nita Lowey Ranking Member Committee on Appropriations House of Representatives National Roadside Survey: NHTSA Changed Methodology to Address Driver Concerns Since 1973, the National Roadside Survey (NRS) has estimated alcohol and drug use by drivers on our nation's roadways about every 10 years.1 Sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the most recent NRS conducted in 2013-2014 included more than 11,000 drivers at approximately 300 randomly selected locations across the continental United States. Data from the survey informs (1) research on impaired driving and (2) federal and state policies and initiatives. While participation in the survey is random, voluntary, and compensated, some drivers in the most recent survey were concerned that the visible presence of uniformed officers at some survey sites made those sites appear to be mandatory law- enforcement checkpoints. In addition, collection of blood and saliva as part of the testing process raised privacy concerns. In response, NHTSA changed several survey protocols midway through the data collection period. For example, NHTSA used researchers instead of police officers to direct traffic, added additional signs to indicate that the survey was voluntary, and ended the use of passive alcohol sensors prior to obtaining driver consent.2 Senate Report 113-182 includes a provision for GAO to review the survey methodology and report to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees.3 This report examines: 1The most recent survey was conducted in 2013-2014, with prior surveys occurring in 2007, 1996, 1986, and 1973. The two most recent surveys provided information on drivers testing positive for alcohol and illegal, prescription, and over-the-counter drugs. Before 2007, alcohol-impaired driving was the sole focus of the NRS. 2This initial passive reading measured ambient air coming from the vehicle interior to provide the researcher with an indication of whether someone in the vehicle had been drinking. This information was used to assist the researcher in ensuring that the driver was capable of consenting to participate, and also to ensure the safety of the driver and the passenger(s). 3S. Rep.No. 113-182, title I, at 67 (2014). The Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act. 2015, (Pub. L. No. 113-235, 128 Stat. 2130 (2014)) also directed the Secretary of Transportation and GAO to report on the national roadside survey as directed by S. Rep No. 113-182. 160 Cong. Rec. H9979 (daily ed. Dec.11, 2014). GAO-1 8-328R National Roadside Survey Methodology Page 1

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