Network: October 1978

NHTSA · 1978 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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Summary

This document is the inaugural issue of *Network*, a monthly publication by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) designed to share ideas among highway safety public communications professionals. The issue highlights various strategies, campaigns, and research findings aimed at improving road safety through public education and behavioral change. A significant portion of the text focuses on youth engagement in highway safety. Nebraska’s "Students United for Nebraska Safety" (SUNS) program provides a guidebook to help teenagers organize local safety clubs, with projects including rewarding motorists for wearing seat belts. Michigan’s "Students of Michigan Attaining Safer Highways" (SMASH) group operates a taxi service for intoxicated students and conducts pedestrian safety instruction. Virginia is also hosting a youth safety conference addressing motorcycle safety, alcohol, and handicapped drivers. The publication details several research initiatives and public opinion surveys. A national survey of 2,016 Americans reveals strong support for passive restraints (airbags or automatic belts) over mandatory seat belt laws with fines. Specifically, 58% support Secretary Adams’ decision to require passive restraints by 1984, while 57% view mandatory seat belt laws as a "poor" idea. Despite this support for regulation, only a quarter of respondents report wearing seat belts regularly. Focus group studies indicate that habit is the primary barrier to seat belt usage and that persuading young drivers to adhere to the 55 mph speed limit is more difficult than persuading adults. Additionally, a $90,000 contract awarded to Creative Consumer Research in Texas aims to segment drivers and develop targeted messages to increase voluntary compliance with the 55 mph speed limit. The issue also covers broader public information campaigns. The American Trucking Association distributed a brochure titled "Don't break the image barrier," encouraging truck drivers to obey the speed limit to maintain a positive public image. NHTSA launched the "55 Saves Lives" campaign, utilizing television, radio, and print materials to emphasize the safety benefits of the lower speed limit. A promotional effort called "The Double Nickel Challenge" used radio broadcasts to recruit truckers to prove whether driving 55 mph saves fuel. Finally, the document outlines Operation CARE, a 48-state law enforcement program targeting drunk driving during holidays, with plans for continued coordination and public information strategies in 1979.

Key finding

A national survey of 2,016 driving-age Americans showed that 58 percent supported requiring passive restraints by 1984, while 57 percent viewed mandatory seat belt fines as a poor idea.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 2016

Provenance

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

Topics

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• public messaging

Information type

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• Applied Guidance: countermeasure evaluation
• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence
• Methodological Resource: dataset resource