Marisa Auguste is the Driver Behavior Analyst for the Connecticut Transportation Safety Research Center (CTSRC) at the University of Connecticut. Conducting social science research in transportation, her primary focus is on human behavior in the driving environment. A large part of her work involves analyzing crash data at the state and local level to identify variables or patterns of behavior that are positively correlated with increased motor vehicle crash risk. Her research projects have focused on distracted driving and distracted walking behaviors, DUI crashes and pedestrian safety education. Utilizing a background in sociology, psychology and criminal justice, Ms. Auguste relies on theory and behavior modification practices based in these disciplines.

In addition to her research interests, Ms. Auguste continues to be an active member of the social science and transportation research communities. Currently, Ms. Auguste serves as a panel member for the Transportation Research Board‘s Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program and as a manuscript reviewer for the social science journal, Social Moments. She is also an active member of Connecticut’s statewide impaired driving, occupant protection, and pedestrian safety task forces. Her research has been published in Injury Prevention, Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, and most notably, a two-time New England Emmy nominated documentary on distracted driving behaviors, 3 Seconds Behind the Wheel.

Current research projects: COVID-19’s effect on transportation, marijuana use and driving, human and vehicle interaction, and linkage of motor vehicle crash and citation data. 

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