University of North Carolina (System). Highway Safety Research Center

The University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center was established in 1965 to evaluate the effectiveness of North Carolina's highway safety programs, to conduct research, and to provide training for traffic safety professionals. It was also charged with identifying and recommending solutions to highway safety problems.

The University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center (HSRC) was established by an act of the 1965 North Carolina General Assembly. In a Special Message on Traffic Safety, Governor Dan Moore specified the mission of HSRC: to evaluate the effectiveness of operational state safety programs, conduct research, and provide training for traffic safety professionals. Established as a multidisciplinary agency, the HSRC was also charged with identifying highway safety problems, recommending solutions, and making this information available to decision-makers at the state and national levels. Dr. B. J. Campbell became the HSRC's first director in 1966.

Research projects undertaken since the Center was established include studies on motorcycles, seat belts, driver licensing and driver improvement, motor vehicle inspection, police traffic services, driver and safety education, drinking and driving, and various accident analyses. In addition to its research, the HSRC operated the Injury Prevention Research Center jointly with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.

Initially the HSRC was administered through General Administration of the University of North Carolina (System). In March 1968, it was placed under the administrative control of the Office of the Provost at UNC-Chapel Hill. For several years, it reported directly to the Associate Provost for Educational and Support Services. In December 1990, administrative oversight was transferred to the Associate Provost and Dean of Research. Later (1993?), HSRC became the administrative responsibility of the Vice Provost for Health Affairs. In 2003, it began reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development.