Transactive federalism: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and traffic safety in Oklahoma

This dissertation examines national intervention in highway safety in Oklahoma since the creation of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It is the thesis of the dissertation that NHTSA has served to integrate national and state traffic safety policy and that NHTSA has done so through a series of relationships which may be categorized as "transactive federalism." These relationships involve the implementation of federal policy, response to state policy preferences, and the diffusion of innovations. Appropriate theory in addition to Wright's premier model of intergovernmental relations is identified and considered.; Underlying these policies are such sobering statistics as the fact that over 46,000 people were killed and another 3.4 million were injured in crashes on U.S. streets and highways in 1987. The total economic cost of these crashes is more than {dollar}74 billion annually. The number of fatalities on America's roadways exceeds the nation's total combat fatalities experienced in all wars; motor vehicle accidents represent the leading cause of death of Americans 15--34 years of age. Transportation has become the second most costly function of state and local government.; The implementation of highway safety policy in America's intergovernmental system is explored through examination of selected policies including those urged by such citizen groups as MADD and RID. In the less nationalized arena of highway safety policy which emerged from the 1970s, these interest groups in alliance with highway safety program professionals became important vehicles for achieving new policies and enhanced public awareness aimed at reducing drinking and driving, and at promoting occupant protection.; Factors that constrain nationalization are investigated surrounding such issues as the repeal of the national motorcycle helmet mandate and the revision of the 55 mph speed limit to 65 on rural interstates. State government reorganization in response to federal grants is also considered.; Participant observation of daily policy and program transactions is conducted. The dissertation concludes with an examination of selected perceptions and images which undergird intergovernmental relations in America's federal system. Survey responses from national and state highway safety program officials are analyzed and compared to existing intergovernmental theory.