A national problem-solving system : highway safety researchers and decision makers.

This report is a case study in how a society works on an important social problem. The overall objective was to examine the extensive changes in the highway safety system to see how research was related to decision-making on a wide range of issues. The period covered includes 1965 to 1970. Emphasis was placed on defining and describing the "research community" and the "key decision-makers" relevant to highway safety, especially in the areas of alcohol and occupant protection. Extensive questionnaires and telephone interviews were used to gather information about communication patterns, attitudes toward several prominent issues (priorities, importance of certain organizations, optimism about future progress) and suggestions for improving the substance and process of decisions made. Detailed information about the "structure" of the social system and its characteristics is given. Key propositions are summarized.