§ 403. Highway safety research and development

(a) Authority of the Secretary.— The Secretary is authorized to use funds appropriated to carry out this section to—

(1) conduct research on all phases of highway safety and traffic conditions, including accident causation, highway or driver characteristics, communications, and emergency care;

(2) conduct ongoing research into driver behavior and its effect on traffic safety;

(3) conduct research on, launch initiatives to counter, and conduct demonstration projects on fatigued driving by drivers of motor vehicles and distracted driving in such vehicles, including the effect that the use of electronic devices and other factors deemed relevant by the Secretary have on driving;

(4) conduct training or education programs in cooperation with other Federal departments and agencies, States, private sector persons, highway safety personnel, and law enforcement personnel;

(5) conduct research on, and evaluate the effectiveness of, traffic safety countermeasures, including seat belts and impaired driving initiatives;

(6) conduct research on, evaluate, and develop best practices related to driver education programs (including driver education curricula, instructor training and certification, program administration and delivery mechanisms) and make recommendations for harmonizing driver education and multistage graduated licensing systems;

(7) conduct research, training, and education programs related to older drivers;

(8) conduct demonstration projects; and

(9) conduct research, training, and programs relating to motorcycle safety, including impaired driving.

(b) Drugs and Driver Behavior.— In addition to the research authorized by subsection (a), the Secretary, in consultation with other Government and private agencies as may be necessary, is authorized to carry out safety research on the following:

(1) The relationship between the consumption and use of drugs and their effect upon highway safety and drivers of motor vehicles.

(2) Driver behavior research, including the characteristics of driver performance, the relationships of mental and physical abilities or disabilities to the driving task, and the relationship of frequency of driver crash involvement to highway safety.

(3) Measures that may deter drugged driving.

(4) Programs to train law enforcement officers on motor vehicle pursuits conducted by the officers.

(5) Technology to detect drug use and enable States to efficiently process toxicology evidence.

(6) Research on the effects of illicit drugs and the compound effects of alcohol and illicit drugs on impairment.

(c) The research authorized by subsections (a) and (b) of this section may be conducted by the Secretary through grants and contracts with public and private agencies, institutions, and individuals.

(d) The Secretary may, where he deems it to be in furtherance of the purposes of section 402 of this title, vest in State or local agencies, on such terms and conditions as he deems appropriate, title to equipment purchased for demonstration projects with funds authorized by this section.

(e) In addition to the research authorized by subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall, either independently or in cooperation with other Federal departments or agencies, conduct research into, and make grants to or contracts with State or local agencies, institutions, and individuals for projects to demonstrate the administrative adjudication of traffic infractions. Such administrative adjudication demonstration projects shall be designed to improve highway safety by developing fair, efficient, and effective processes and procedures for traffic infraction adjudication, utilizing appropriate punishment, training, and rehabilitative measures for traffic offenders. The Secretary shall report to Congress by July 1, 1975, and each year thereafter during the continuance of the program, on the research and demonstration projects authorized by this subsection, and shall include in such report a comparison of the fairness, efficiency, and effectiveness of administrative adjudication of traffic infractions with other methods of handling such infractions.

(f) Collaborative Research and Development.—

(1) In general.— For the purpose of encouraging innovative solutions to highway safety problems, stimulating voluntary improvements in highway safety, and stimulating the marketing of new highway safety-related technology by private industry, the Secretary is authorized to undertake, on a cost-shared basis, collaborative research and development with non-Federal entities, including State and local governments, colleges, and universities and corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and trade associations that are incorporated or established under the laws of any State or the United States. This collaborative research may include crash data collection and analysis; driver and pedestrian behavior; and demonstrations of technology.

(2) Cooperative agreements.— In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may enter into cooperative research and development agreements, as defined in section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a); except that in entering into such agreements, the Secretary may agree to provide not more than 50 percent of the cost of any research or development project selected by the Secretary under this subsection.

(3) Project selection.— In selecting projects to be conducted under this subsection, the Secretary shall establish a procedure to consider the views of experts and the public concerning the project areas.

(4) Applicability of stevenson-wydler technology innovation act.— The research, development, or utilization of any technology pursuant to an agreement under the provisions of this subsection, including the terms under which technology may be licensed and the resulting royalties may be distributed, shall be subject to the provisions of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980.

(g) International Cooperation.— The Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration may participate and cooperate in international activities to enhance highway safety.

U.S. Code

§ 403. Highway safety research and development