Questions and Justifications

18

Item Justifications for

National Roadside Survey of Alcohol and Drug Prevalence of Road Users: 2025

Table of Contents

Questions and Justifications for Drivers (including Motorcyclists)* 2

Questions and Justifications for Other Road Users 8

Questions and Justifications for Drivers (including Motorcyclists)*

*Notes: Items listed as “Observation” involve a data collector documenting observable characteristics of the driver, their vehicle, and behaviors. A numbered item with an “M” indicates the item that will be asked in the sequence for observed riders of motorcycles.

#	Observation	Justification
A	Mode of transportation	This item is used to branch to motorcycle or other road user (ORU) questions as appropriate. This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging.
#	Question	Justification
Screening 1 (pre-consent)	Are you at least 16/18 years old (depending on the State’s age at which an individual may legally consent to participate in a research survey)?	Participants must be at least 16 or 18 years of age to participate depending on State law. This item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS.
Screening 2-3 (pre-consent)	Did you hear about this survey before we alerted you to it? If yes, how did you hear about this survey?	Participants who sought out the survey will not be allowed to participate. This item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS.
#	Question	Justification
1	What is your age (years)?	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This information will help to understand the respondent demographics participating in this study.
2	Where are you coming from?	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
3	Where are you going to?	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
4	Are you employed as a rideshare driver (e.g., Uber, Lyft)?	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
5	How often do you wear your seat belt when driving?	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
5M	How often do you wear your helmet when operating a motorcycle?	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
6	In the past 30 days, where you have seen or heard a message about traffic safety (e.g., sharing the road with walkers and cyclists, seatbelt use, speeding, distracted or impaired driving)? Check all that apply.	This item provides information as to which media types are reaching participants with messages about traffic safety. NHTSA has used similar items in a number of studies to monitor awareness of programmatic activities. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
7	In the past 30 days, have you seen or heard any of the following traffic safety slogans? Check all that apply.	This item provides information as to which NHTSA campaign messages are reaching participants. NHTSA has used similar items in a number of studies to monitor awareness of programmatic activities. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
8	How important is it for your State to enforce drinking and driving laws?	This item provides opinions on enforcement of drinking and driving laws. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
9	In the past 30 days, have you ridden in a car driven by someone (including yourself) who was “high” or using alcohol or drugs?	This item provides information on alcohol/drug use and driving. This item was modeled after similar questions used in the BRFSS questionnaire. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
9M	In the past 30 days, have you ridden on a motorcycle operated by someone (including yourself) who was “high” or using alcohol or drugs?	This item provides information on alcohol/drug use and motorcycle operation. This item was modeled after similar questions used in the BRFSS questionnaire. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
10	Do you think lowering the BAC illegal limit from .08 to .05 would improve driving safety?	This item provides opinions on impaired driving legislation. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
11	How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?	This item provides information on drinking frequency behavior. This item was used as part of the Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Questionnaire in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
12	How many standard drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day?	This item provides information on drinking frequency behavior. This item was used as part of the Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Questionnaire in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
13	How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?	This item provides information on drinking frequency behavior. This item was used as part of the Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Questionnaire in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
14	In the past 30 days, did you drive a motor vehicle when you thought you had too much alcohol to drink?	This item provides information on alcohol use and driving. A similar item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
14M	In the past 30 days, did you operate a motorcycle when you thought you had too much alcohol to drink?	This item provides information on alcohol use and motorcycle operation. A similar item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
15	How many alcoholic drinks could you have within two hours before you would consider yourself unsafe to drive?	This item provides information on alcohol use and driving. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
15M	How many alcoholic drinks could you have within two hours before you would consider yourself unsafe to operate a motorcycle?	This item provides information on alcohol use and motorcycle operation. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
16-29	Please indicate the last time you used one of the following drugs.	These items provide information on illicit and prescription drug use. These items were used as part of the NRS Drug Use and Prescription Drug Use Questionnaires in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
30	How do you typically use cannabis/marijuana? Check all that apply.	This item provides information on cannabis/marijuana use and is of interest to understand how different routes of administration may correspond to concentrations in oral fluid. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
31	Do you have a prescription for cannabis/marijuana?	This item provides information on use rates among those prescribed or not prescribed cannabis/marijuana and the relationship to concentrations in oral fluid. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
32	In the past 30 days, have you driven when feeling buzzed/different/high from a drug other than alcohol?	This item provides information on drug use and driving. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
32M	In the past 30 days, have you operated a motorcycle when feeling buzzed/different/high from a drug other than alcohol?	This item provides information on drug use and motorcycle operation. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
33	In the past 30 days, have you driven after using alcohol in combination with another drug?	This item provides information on poly drug use and driving. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
33M	In the past 30 days, have you operated a motorcycle after using alcohol in combination with another drug?	This item provides information on poly drug use and motorcycle operation. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
34	What is your sex?	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This information will help to understand the respondent demographics participating in this study.
35	What is your race and/or ethnicity?	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This is the current OMB recommendation. This information will help to understand the respondent demographics participating in this study.
#	Observation	Justification
B-D	Demographics	Some respondents may skip demographic items, and having these observations will allow for their substitution. These items will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. These items were used in the 2013-2014 NRS. This information will help to understand the respondent demographics participating in this study. Most data collection will take place at night with drivers staying in their vehicles. This makes it difficult to determine driver demographics during brief interactions which is why “Could not determine” is offered as an observation option.
E-F	Seat belt use	These items will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how this observation compares to the alcohol and drug results.
G	Motorcycle type	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This study is interested in understanding how this observation compares to the alcohol and drug results.
H-K	Motorcycle gear worn	These items will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. A similar item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how this observation compares to the alcohol and drug results.
L-M	Number of passengers	These items will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how this observation compares to the alcohol and drug results.
N-R	Child safety seat use	These items will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This study is interested in understanding how this observation compares to the alcohol and drug results.
S	Conversion protocol implemented	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and for documenting how many conversions occurred. This item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study intends to keep a record of the number of conversion protocol implementations during data collection.
T	Impaired driver protocol implemented	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and for documenting how many IDPs were implemented. This item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study intends to keep a record of the number of IDP implementations during data collection.

Questions and Justifications for Other Road Users

*Note: Items listed as “Observation” involve a data collector documenting observable characteristics of the other road user, their mode of transportation, and behaviors.

#	Observation	Justification
A	Mode of transportation	For the main NRS, this item is used to branch to other road user (ORU) questions as appropriate. For the ORU only pilot study, the motor vehicle types will not be options. The rest of the survey will remain the same. This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging.
#	Question	Justification
Screening 1 (pre-consent)	Are you at least 16/18 years old (depending on the State’s age at which an individual may legally consent to participate in a research survey )?	Participants must be at least 16 or 18 years of age to participate depending on State law. This item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS.
Screening 2 (pre-consent)	Did you hear about this survey before we alerted you to it? If yes, how did you hear about this survey?	Participants who sought out the survey will not be allowed to participate. This item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS.
#	Question	Justification
1	What is your age (years)?	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging.
2	Do you own a car, pickup truck, or motorcycle?	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
3	Do you have a valid driver’s license?	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
4	Why are you walking/biking/riding right now? Check all that apply.	This item provides information on alcohol/drug use at time of survey. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
5	Do you feel safe walking/biking/riding near traffic right now? Check all that apply.	This item provides information on decision making and impairment. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
6	Have you ever been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs?	This item provides information on alcohol/drug use and driving history. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
7	Do you ever walk or ride when you may have had too much alcohol to drink?	This item provides information on alcohol use and roadway interactions. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
8	Do you ever walk or ride when you may be impaired by drugs other than alcohol?	This item provides information on drug use and roadway interactions. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
9	Where are you coming from?	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
10	Where are you going to?	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
11	How are you planning to get to your final destination?	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
12	In the past 30 days, where you have seen or heard a message about traffic safety (e.g., sharing the road with walkers and cyclists, seatbelt use, speeding, distracted or impaired driving)? Check all that apply.	This item provides information as to which media types are reaching participants with messages about traffic safety. NHTSA has used similar items in a number of studies to monitor awareness of programmatic activities. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
13	In the past 30 days, have you seen or heard any of the following traffic safety slogans? Check all that apply.	This item provides information as to which NHTSA campaign messages are reaching participants. NHTSA has used similar items in a number of studies to monitor awareness of programmatic activities. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
14	How important is it for your State to enforce drinking and driving laws?	This item provides opinions on enforcement of drinking and driving laws. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
15	In the past 30 days, have you ridden in a car driven by someone (including yourself) who was “high” or using alcohol or drugs?	This item provides information on alcohol/drug use and driving. This item was modeled after similar questions used in the BRFSS questionnaire. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
16	Do you think lowering the BAC illegal limit from .08 to .05 would improve driving safety?	This item provides opinions on impaired driving legislation. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
17	How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?	This item provides information on drinking frequency behavior. This item was used as part of the Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Questionnaire in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
18	How many standard drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day?	This item provides information on drinking frequency behavior. This item was used as part of the Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Questionnaire in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
19	How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?	This item provides information on drinking frequency behavior. This item was used as part of the Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Questionnaire in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
20	In the past 30 days, did you drive a motor vehicle when you thought you had too much alcohol to drink?	This item provides information on alcohol use and driving. A similar item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
21	How many alcoholic drinks could you have within two hours before you would consider yourself unsafe to drive?	This item provides information on alcohol use and driving. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
22-35	Please indicate the last time you used one of the following drugs.	These items provide information on illicit and prescription drug use. These items were used as part of the NRS Drug Use and Prescription Drug Use Questionnaires in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
36	How do you typically use cannabis/marijuana? Check all that apply.	This item provides information on cannabis/marijuana use and is of interest to understand how different routes of administration may correspond to concentrations in oral fluid. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
37	Do you have a prescription for cannabis/marijuana?	This item provides information on use rates among those prescribed or not prescribed cannabis/marijuana and the relationship to concentrations in oral fluid. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
38	In the past 30 days, have you walked or ridden when feeling buzzed/different/high from a drug other than alcohol?	This item provides information on drug use and driving. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
39	In the past 30 days, have you walked or ridden after using alcohol in combination with another drug?	This item provides information on poly drug use and driving. This study is interested in understanding how responses to this question compare to the alcohol and drug results.
40	What is your sex?	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This information will help to understand the respondent demographics participating in this study.
41	What is your race and/or ethnicity?	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This is the current OMB recommendation. This information will help to understand the respondent demographics participating in this study.
#	Observation	Justification
B-D	Demographics	These items will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. These items were used in the 2013-2014 NRS. This information will help to understand the respondent demographics participating in this study. Most data collection will take place at night with drivers staying in their vehicles. This makes it difficult to determine driver demographics during brief interactions which is why “Could not determine” is offered as an observation option.
E	Scooter/Bicycle Rider Helmet Use	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. A similar item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study is interested in understanding how this observation compares to the alcohol and drug results.
F	High Visibility Clothing or Other Equipment	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This study is interested in understanding how this observation compares to the alcohol and drug results.
G	Number of people in the group	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This study is interested in understanding how this observation compares to the alcohol and drug results.
H	Conversion protocol implemented	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and for documenting how many conversions occurred. This item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study intends to keep a record of the number of conversion protocol implementations during data collection.
I	Impaired person protocol implemented	This item will be used for classification purposes for analyses, and to help with development and targeting of appropriate safety measures and messaging. This item was used in the 2013-2014 NRS. This study intends to keep a record of the number of IDP implementations during data collection.