A Survey of Traffic Safety Culture Among Iowa Adults

Gonnerman Jr, Melvin E; Lutz, Gene M; Cornish, Disa L · 2012 · ROSA P / University of Northern Iowa. Center for Social and Behavioral Research

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Summary

This report presents the findings of a statewide survey conducted to assess the traffic safety culture among adult residents of Iowa. Sponsored by the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, the study was designed to address the "human factor" in traffic safety—specifically, the attitudes, behaviors, and shared values of drivers. The research was motivated by the need to align policy-making with public opinion; while experts have identified strategies to improve safety, understanding whether the general public supports these measures is critical for effective implementation. The study aimed to provide policymakers with data on which safety initiatives are likely to gain public support and where resistance might exist. The Center for Social and Behavioral Research at the University of Northern Iowa conducted the study using a dual-frame sampling design that included both landline and cell phone users to ensure representative coverage of the adult population. Data were collected via telephone interviews between October and December 2011, resulting in 1,088 completed interviews. The questionnaire covered a broad range of topics, including driver education, enforcement methods, roadway engineering, distracted driving, and attitudes toward specific traffic safety policies. The data were weighted to improve representativeness, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze responses across demographic subgroups. The findings reveal a complex relationship between perceived safety threats and actual driving behaviors. While most respondents believed driving in Iowa was as safe as it was five years ago, one-fourth felt it was less safe. There was a notable discrepancy between attitudes and actions: nearly all respondents considered texting while driving unacceptable and a serious threat, yet nearly one in five admitted to texting or emailing while driving in the past 30 days, despite a state ban enacted in July 2011. Similarly, while running red lights and excessive speeding were viewed as serious threats, many drivers admitted to these behaviors. Public support for enforcement varied; there was strong support (approximately 70%) for red light cameras and slight majority support for speed cameras, but most respondents opposed increasing fines for speeding. Additionally, while driving under the influence was universally condemned, 15% of drivers admitted to driving with blood alcohol content slightly below the legal limit, and 5% admitted to driving above it. The study concludes that Iowa’s traffic safety culture is shaped by laws, enforcement, education, and driver behavior. The authors emphasize that a comprehensive approach is necessary to enhance protective factors and mitigate detrimental ones. The results provide policymakers with evidence to guide decisions on maintaining, modifying, or introducing new traffic safety strategies. Specifically, the data highlight areas where public opinion aligns with expert recommendations, such as support for automated enforcement cameras, and areas of divergence, such as opposition to higher speeding fines. This information is intended to help direct state resources toward initiatives that are both effective and supported by the public.

Key finding

Nearly one-fifth of adult Iowa drivers admitted to sending or reading text messages or emails while driving in the past 30 days despite the behavior being prohibited.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 1088

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• traffic safety culture
• seat belt use
• public messaging
• cultural cross national

Information type

What kind of knowledge this paper contributes, grouped by family — independent of topic (what it is about) and method (how it was studied).

• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence