Introduction to the Series: Traffic Tech

NHTSA · 1986 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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Summary

This document serves as the introductory issue for "Traffic Tech," a new technical information series launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in July 1986. The publication is designed to rapidly disseminate state-of-the-art technical information to highway safety specialists across all levels of government and the private sector. The primary motivation for the series is to provide a cost-effective, ideal means for NHTSA to share technical progress that can be directly applied to day-to-day professional activities, distinguishing it from the existing "TSP Newsletter," which focuses on hard news and programmatic accomplishments. The series is structured to be brief and concise, with each issue limited to two or four pages. Content will cover a wide range of traffic safety topics, including alcohol countermeasures, safety belts, Emergency Medical Services, police traffic services, pedestrian programs, motorcycle safety, the National Driver Register, traffic records, and driver licensing. To facilitate practical application, each issue will include illustrations where appropriate and provide the name, address, and telephone number of the specialist involved for further detailed inquiries. The format is designed for easy reference, with issues printed to fit into a looseleaf binder. Distribution is automatic and free of charge for persons on the TSP Newsletter mailing list, Governors Highway Representatives, NHTSA Regional offices, and private sector groups and associations. The document outlines specific topics scheduled for upcoming issues, such as administrative license revocation, identifying drugged drivers, prevention and intervention strategies, Project Graduation, motorcycle helmet laws, and updates on DWI laws. The introduction emphasizes that NHTSA does not position itself as the sole source of knowledge for these program areas. Instead, it acknowledges that highway safety programs are implemented and improved at regional, state, and local levels. Consequently, the publication actively encourages involvement and support from the highway safety community, inviting specialists to submit items of interest to others. Correspondence and submissions are directed to the Editor at the NHTSA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The significance of this publication lies in its role as a dedicated channel for technical, rather than administrative, communication within the traffic safety field. By focusing on actionable technical progress and providing direct contact information for specialists, "Traffic Tech" aims to bridge the gap between federal technical resources and local implementation efforts. It establishes a framework for ongoing, regular communication that supports the professional development and operational effectiveness of highway safety specialists, fostering a collaborative environment where knowledge is shared from the ground up as well as from the federal level.

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