Baseline Assessment and Communications Plan for the Texas "Move Over Act"

Project Description

This project assessed driver knowledge and understanding about the Texas Move Over Act (TMOA), as well as conducted field observation of driver compliance with the law. The project team created an 11-question survey to assess driver knowledge regarding the TMOA. Survey responses were evaluated using binomial logistics regression.

The results indicate that having heard of the TMOA and being familiar with its requirements is significantly related to driver education, formal education, driver experience, and age factors. Having never heard of the TMOA is significantly related to driver education, formal education, ethnic group, and driver experience factors, as well as population density and median housing value in the zip code of residence. Driver understanding of the TMOA is significantly related to knowledge of the TMOA, driver education, formal education, and ethnic group factors. The field compliance data indicate that Texas driver compliance with the TMOA is significantly related to the driving environment and driver compliance with speed laws. Several recommendations are presented including

• implementation of a driver education and awareness campaign about the TMOA,
• standardization of state traffic codes,
• definition of best practices for local TMOA enforcement,
• conduct of studies about traffic incident injuries associated with TMOA violations,
• modification of the Texas Administrative Code to make the TMOA a permanent defensive driving curriculum requirement,
• modification of Texas driver education curriculum to include the TMOA, and
• further study about the safety and efficacy of TMOA requirements.

A report was produced that provides an overview of literature on driver knowledge and understanding of traffic safety laws and an assessment of driver behavior. The project team also collected information from other state agencies about public outreach and awareness efforts about move over laws, related incident information, and information obtained from local and state Texas agencies.

The project team conducted a workshop of law enforcement personnel to get front-line input regarding the need for promoting awareness of the Move Over Act. Officers' primary concern was that motorists notice them and other emergency response personnel along the roadside. The team also conducted a focus group of eight individuals to solicit initial reactions to materials related to the proposed outreach campaign. Overall, the group responded positively to the campaign direction, highlighting particularly the need for a direct call to action to motivate the intended audience. Feedback from the focus group steered creation of the communications plan submitted as part of this project.

Link

Link: Project Report

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