Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for Comment; Fatal Crash Seat Belt Use Reporting and Awareness, 53727-53729 [2021-21040]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 28, 2021 / Notices
10. US 87 Expansion Project from east of
the US 385 Interchange near Hartley, to FM
2589 west of Dumas, in Moore and Hartley
Counties, Texas. The proposed project
includes expanding the roadway from the
current two-lane with super-two passing
lanes configuration to a four-lane divided
highway. This project is approximately 20
miles long. The actions by TxDOT and
Federal agencies and the laws under which
such actions were taken are described in the
Final Environmental Assessment (EA), the
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
issued on July 29, 2021, and other documents
in the TxDOT project file. The EA, FONSI,
and other documents in the TxDOT project
file are available by contacting the TxDOT
Amarillo District Office at 5715 Canyon
Drive, Amarillo, Texas 79110; telephone:
(806) 356–3256.
11. US 281 from SH 186/FM 1017 to FM
3066, in Hidalgo and Brooks Counties, Texas.
The purpose of the project is to upgrade US
281 to interstate standards and improve
mobility to meet projected traffic demand.
The proposed project would involve
widening and reconstruction of the main
lanes, as well as addition of frontage roads
and overpasses throughout portions of the
project area, for approximately 41.9 miles.
The actions by TxDOT and Federal agencies
and the laws under which such actions were
taken are described in the Environmental
Assessment (EA), the Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) issued on
September 13, 2021 and other documents in
the TxDOT project file. The EA, FONSI, and
other documents in the TxDOT project file
are available by contacting the TxDOT Pharr
District Office at 600 W Interstate 2, Pharr,
Texas 78577; telephone: (956) 702–6100.
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1).
Michael T. Leary,
Director, Planning and Program Development,
Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 2021–20916 Filed 9–27–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA–2021–0012]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Notice and Request for
Comment; Fatal Crash Seat Belt Use
Reporting and Awareness
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments on a request for approval of
a new information collection.
AGENCY:
The National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) invites
public comments about our intention to
request approval from the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for a
SUMMARY:
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new information collection. Before a
Federal agency can collect certain
information from the public, it must
receive approval from OMB. Under
procedures established by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
before seeking OMB approval, Federal
agencies must solicit public comment
on proposed collections of information,
including extensions and reinstatements
of previously approved collections. This
document describes a collection of
information for which NHTSA intends
to seek OMB approval on Fatal Crash
Seat Belt Use Reporting and Awareness.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on
or before November 29, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by the Docket No. NHTSA–
2021–0012 using any of the following
methods:
• Electronic submissions: Go to the
Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket
Management, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12–
140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except on Federal holidays. To
be sure someone is there to help you,
please call (202) 366–9322 before
coming.
Instructions: All submissions must
include the agency name and docket
number for this notice. Note that all
comments received will be posted
without change to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided. Please
see the Privacy Act heading below.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search
the electronic form of all comments
received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the
comment (or signing the comment, if
submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78) or you may visit https://
www.transportation.gov/privacy.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments received, go to https://
www.regulations.gov or the street
address listed above. Follow the online
instructions for accessing the dockets
via internet.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
additional information or access to
background documents, contact Jordan
A. Blenner, JD, Ph.D., Office of
Behavioral Safety Research (NPD–320),
PO 00000
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53727
(202) 366–9982, National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, W46–470,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC
20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), before an agency
submits a proposed collection of
information to OMB for approval, it
must publish a document in the Federal
Register providing a 60-day comment
period and otherwise consult with
members of the public and affected
agencies concerning each proposed
collection of information. The OMB has
promulgated regulations describing
what must be included in such a
document. Under OMB’s regulation (at
5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must ask
for public comment on the following: (a)
Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of the burden of the proposed collection
of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(c) how to enhance the quality, utility,
and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) how to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, including
the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology,
e.g., permitting electronic submission of
responses. In compliance with these
requirements, NHTSA asks for public
comments on the following proposed
collection of information for which the
agency is seeking approval from OMB.
Title: Fatal Crash Seat Belt Use
Reporting and Awareness.
OMB Control Number: New.
Form Numbers: NHTSA Forms 1599,
1600, 1601, and 1604.
Type of Request: Approval of a new
information collection.
Type of Review Requested: Regular.
Requested Expiration Date of
Approval: 3 years from date of approval.
Summary of the Collection of
Information: The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
of the U.S. Department of
Transportation is seeking approval to
collect information from 1,500
participants from two seat belt user
groups, 750 who are full-time and 750
who are occasional or non-users, for a
one-time voluntary experiment to
understand whether the inclusion of
seat belt status in a fatal crash news
report could affect seat belt use. NHTSA
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 28, 2021 / Notices
will contact a sample of 20,850 potential
participants from a marketing research
firm’s panel with an invitation email
and screening questions to identify
adult volunteers who regularly drive a
passenger vehicle. Recruiting
participants for the experiment has an
estimated burden of 348 hours for the
invitation email and 70 hours for the
screening questions. (An estimated 20%
of the invited potential participants will
be interested in participating in the
study and will complete the screener
form, i.e., 4,170 potential participants.)
An estimated 1,668 potential
participants will read the consent form
with an estimated burden of 139 hours.
The 1,500 participants will complete the
experiment with an estimated burden of
500 hours. The experiment involves a
40-question online survey that
participants will complete in their own
homes using their personal computers.
Participants will read one of three
fictitious news reports of crashes (some
of which involve fatalities) to gauge
whether including seat belt use in news
reports has the potential to increase belt
use by occasional and non-seat belt
users. After reading the news report,
participants will report their
recollection of belt use in the news
report they read, self-reported seat belt
use, intentions to use belts, attitudes
about seat belts, and demographic
information. The total estimated burden
associated with reporting is 1,057 hours.
The collection does not involve
recordkeeping or disclosure. An
approved Institutional Review Board
(IRB), Advarra, has reviewed the study
and determined that the research project
is exempt from IRB oversight. NHTSA
will summarize the results of the
collection using aggregate statistics in a
final report to be distributed to NHTSA
program and regional offices, State
Highway Safety Offices, and other traffic
safety stakeholders. This collection will
inform the development of
countermeasures, particularly in the
areas of communications and outreach,
for increasing seat belt use and reducing
fatalities and injuries associated with
the lack of seat belt use.
Description of the Need for the
Information and Proposed Use of the
Information: NHTSA was established to
reduce deaths, injuries, and economic
losses resulting from motor vehicle
crashes on the Nation’s highways. As
part of this statutory mandate, NHTSA
is authorized to conduct research for the
development of traffic safety programs.
Title 23, United States Code, Section
403 gives the Secretary of
Transportation (NHTSA by delegation)
authorization to use funds appropriated
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to conduct research and development
activities, including demonstration
projects and the collection and analysis
of highway and motor vehicle safety
data and related information, with
respect to all aspects of highway and
traffic safety systems and conditions
relating to vehicle, highway, driver,
passenger, motorcyclist, bicyclist, and
pedestrian characteristics; accident
causation and investigations; and
human behavioral factors and their
effect on highway and traffic safety.
In 2018, 22,697 occupants of
passenger vehicles (passenger cars,
pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs) died in
motor vehicle crashes in the United
States. Of those killed where restraint
status was known, 47% were
unrestrained at the time of the fatal
crash. NHTSA estimates that seat belts
saved the lives of 14,955 passenger
vehicle occupants age 5 and older in
2017 (latest data available), and, if all
passenger vehicle occupants age 5 and
older had worn seat belts, an additional
2,549 lives could have been saved.1
This project supports NHTSA’s efforts
to increase occupant protection by
examining factors related to seat belt
use. Previous research in this area
indicated that news organizations may
not report seat belt use in many of the
driving fatalities they cover.2 That said,
the research conducted previously
involved data from 1999 through 2002,
which may be out of date with current
practices. Many stakeholders assume
that increased reporting of seat belt
usage in fatal crashes, especially when
seat belts were not worn, could increase
seat belt use. In addition, when seat belt
status has been reported in a news
report, it is not clear individuals are
paying attention. Improving awareness
of seat belt status, particularly involving
unbelted fatalities, may be an effective
countermeasure that may encourage
individuals to wear seat belts.
The information from this collection
will assist NHTSA in (a) planning seat
belt program activities; (b) supporting
groups involved in improving public
safety; and (c) identifying
countermeasure strategies that are most
1 National Center for Statistics and Analysis.
(2020). Occupant protection in passenger vehicles:
2018 data (Traffic Safety Facts. Report No. DOT HS
812 967). National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration. https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/
Api/Public/ViewPublication/812967.
2 Connor, S.M., & Wesolowski, K. (2004).
Newspaper framing of fatal motor vehicle crashes
in four Midwestern cities in the United States,
1999–2000. Inj Prev. 10(3), 149–153. https://
dx.doi.org/10.1136/ip.2003.003376. Rosales, M., &
Stallones, L. (2008). Coverage of motor vehicle
crashes with injuries in U.S. newspapers, 1999–
2002. Journal of Safety Research, 39(5), 477–82.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2008.08.001.
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acceptable and effective in increasing
seat belt use.
Affected Public: Participants will be
U.S. adults (18 years and older, except
for those from Nebraska or Alabama
(who will need to be 19 years or older),
or those from Mississippi (who will
need to be 21 years or older)) with
fluency in reading and writing in
English, who have driven a passenger
vehicle (car, van, SUV, or pickup truck)
at least once in the past month, and
whose main form of transportation is a
passenger vehicle.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
20,850 total respondents, with 1,500
participating in the full experiment.
The experiment will invite up to
20,850 people to participate. The
number of invitations is based on the
need to recruit 1,500 participants, 750 of
whom are either non- or part-time seat
belt users. Based on corporate
experience with online panels, the
marketing research firm providing
access to their panel of participants
estimates a participation rate of 20%.
Furthermore, NHTSA research has
shown that while most drivers reported
wearing their seat belts every time they
drive, approximately 20% are either
non-users or part-time users.3 Finally,
NHTSA estimates that 90% who qualify
and read the consent form will provide
consent and complete the study. To
obtain a sample of 750 consenting
participants in the non/part user group,
requires a universe of 20,850 potential
respondents. Of the 20,850 invited
panelists, we expect 20% or 4,170
volunteers who are interested and
qualify. Of the 4,170 who are interested,
we expect 20% or 834 volunteers will
be non- or part-time seat belt users. Of
the 834 volunteers who are non- or parttime seat belt users, we expect 90% or
750 to consent and complete the study.
The marketing research firm will
provide a link to the consent form to the
first 834 non- or part-time seat belt users
and to the first 834 full-time seat belt
users who are interested and qualify.
(Once the firm reaches 750 completions
from full-time users, which is expected
to occur before the 750 completions
from non- or part-time users, they will
no longer provide links to the informed
consent to qualified full-time users.)
Frequency: This study is a one-time
information collection, and there will be
no recurrence.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: The total estimated burden
associated with this collection is 1,057
3 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
(2019, December). The 2016 motor vehicle occupant
safety survey: Seat belt report (Report No. DOT HS
812 798). Author. https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/
dot/43608.
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 28, 2021 / Notices
hours. The sample of potential
participants will receive an email
invitation from Schlesinger Group, a
marketing research firm that specializes
in providing sampling pools of
panelists, with screening questions to
determine eligibility. The 20,850
potential participants are expected to
spend 1 minute each in reading the
invitation email for an estimated 348
hours. Those who are interested
(estimated to be 20%, or 4,170
individuals) are expected to spend 1
minute each in completing the screener
form for an estimated 70 hours.
Schlesinger will provide electronic links
to the consent form to the first 834 fulltime seat belt users and to the first 834
part-time/non-users who qualify based
on the screening questions. The 1,668
eligible participants are expected to
spend 5 minutes each reading and
completing the consent form for an
estimated 139 hours. The estimated
1,500 consenting participants will each
spend 20 minutes completing the
experiment for an estimated 500 hours.
The total burden is the sum of the
burden across the invitation/screening,
consenting, and completing the
experiment for a total estimate of 1,057
hours. The details are presented in
Table 1 below.
TABLE 1—ESTIMATED BURDEN HOURS BY FORM
Form
Form
Form
Form
Form
1599
1604
1600
1601
Description
Participants
Estimated
minutes per
participant
Total
estimated
burden hours
per form
.......................................................
.......................................................
.......................................................
.......................................................
Invitation Email ...............................................
Screener Form ...............................................
Informed Consent Form .................................
Experiment Form ............................................
20,850
4,170
1,668
1,500
1
1
5
20
348
70
139
500
Total .........................................................
.........................................................................
........................
........................
1,057
Estimated Total Annual Burden Cost:
NHTSA estimates that there are no costs
to respondents beyond the time spent
participating in the study.
Public Comments Invited: You are
asked to comment on any aspects of this
information collection, including (a)
whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Department, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the Department’s
estimate of the burden of the proposed
information collection; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility and clarity
of the information to be collected; and
(d) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on
respondents, including the use of
automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as
amended; 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order
1351.29.
Issued in Washington, DC.
Nanda Narayanan Srinivasan,
Associate Administrator, Research and
Program Development.
[FR Doc. 2021–21040 Filed 9–27–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–59–P
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission for OMB
Review; Comment Request; Multiple
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade
Bureau Information Collection
Requests
Departmental Offices, U.S.
Department of the Treasury.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of the
Treasury will submit the following
information collection requests to the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review and clearance in
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, on or after the
date of publication of this notice. The
public is invited to submit comments on
these requests.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before October 28, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent
within 30 days of publication of this
notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
PRAMain. Find this particular
information collection by selecting
‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open
for Public Comments’’ or by using the
search function.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Copies of the submissions may be
obtained from Molly Stasko by emailing
PRA@treasury.gov, calling (202) 622–
8922, or viewing the entire information
collection request at www.reginfo.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
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Frm 00102
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Sfmt 4703
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade
Bureau (TTB)
1. Title: Volatile Fruit-Flavor
Concentrate Plans-Applications and
Related Records.
OMB Control Number: 1513–0006.
Type of Review: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Description: Volatile fruit-flavor
concentrates contain alcohol when
made from the mash or juice of a fruit
by an evaporative process. Under the
Internal Revenue Code (IRC) at 26
U.S.C. 5511, alcohol excise taxes and
most other provisions of chapter 51 of
the IRC do not apply to such
concentrates if their manufacturers file
applications, keep records, and meet
certain other requirements prescribed by
regulation. Under that IRC authority, the
TTB regulations in 27 CFR part 18
require volatile fruit-flavor concentrate
manufacturers to register using form
TTB F 5520.3, file amendments to their
registrations using that form or a
letterhead application (depending on
circumstances), and maintain a record
file of all approved registrations and
related supporting documents. TTB uses
the collected information to identify
concentrate manufacturers and their
operations to ensure that the tax
provisions of the IRC are appropriately
applied.
Form Number: TTB F 5520.3.
Recordkeeping Number: TTB REC
5520/2.
Affected Public: Businesses or other
for-profits.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
55.
Frequency of Response: On occasion.
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 28, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53727-53729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21040]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-2021-0012]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for
Comment; Fatal Crash Seat Belt Use Reporting and Awareness
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice and request for comments on a request for approval of a
new information collection.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
invites public comments about our intention to request approval from
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a new information
collection. Before a Federal agency can collect certain information
from the public, it must receive approval from OMB. Under procedures
established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB
approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed
collections of information, including extensions and reinstatements of
previously approved collections. This document describes a collection
of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval on Fatal
Crash Seat Belt Use Reporting and Awareness.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 29, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Docket No. NHTSA-
2021-0012 using any of the following methods:
Electronic submissions: Go to the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions
for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management, U.S. Department
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12-
140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except on Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to help
you, please call (202) 366-9322 before coming.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and
docket number for this notice. Note that all comments received will be
posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading
below.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit https://www.transportation.gov/privacy.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov or the street
address listed above. Follow the online instructions for accessing the
dockets via internet.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or access
to background documents, contact Jordan A. Blenner, JD, Ph.D., Office
of Behavioral Safety Research (NPD-320), (202) 366-9982, National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, W46-470, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), before an agency submits a proposed
collection of information to OMB for approval, it must publish a
document in the Federal Register providing a 60-day comment period and
otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies
concerning each proposed collection of information. The OMB has
promulgated regulations describing what must be included in such a
document. Under OMB's regulation (at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must
ask for public comment on the following: (a) Whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of
the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) how to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
and (d) how to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses. In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA
asks for public comments on the following proposed collection of
information for which the agency is seeking approval from OMB.
Title: Fatal Crash Seat Belt Use Reporting and Awareness.
OMB Control Number: New.
Form Numbers: NHTSA Forms 1599, 1600, 1601, and 1604.
Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection.
Type of Review Requested: Regular.
Requested Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from date of
approval.
Summary of the Collection of Information: The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of
Transportation is seeking approval to collect information from 1,500
participants from two seat belt user groups, 750 who are full-time and
750 who are occasional or non-users, for a one-time voluntary
experiment to understand whether the inclusion of seat belt status in a
fatal crash news report could affect seat belt use. NHTSA
[[Page 53728]]
will contact a sample of 20,850 potential participants from a marketing
research firm's panel with an invitation email and screening questions
to identify adult volunteers who regularly drive a passenger vehicle.
Recruiting participants for the experiment has an estimated burden of
348 hours for the invitation email and 70 hours for the screening
questions. (An estimated 20% of the invited potential participants will
be interested in participating in the study and will complete the
screener form, i.e., 4,170 potential participants.) An estimated 1,668
potential participants will read the consent form with an estimated
burden of 139 hours. The 1,500 participants will complete the
experiment with an estimated burden of 500 hours. The experiment
involves a 40-question online survey that participants will complete in
their own homes using their personal computers. Participants will read
one of three fictitious news reports of crashes (some of which involve
fatalities) to gauge whether including seat belt use in news reports
has the potential to increase belt use by occasional and non-seat belt
users. After reading the news report, participants will report their
recollection of belt use in the news report they read, self-reported
seat belt use, intentions to use belts, attitudes about seat belts, and
demographic information. The total estimated burden associated with
reporting is 1,057 hours. The collection does not involve recordkeeping
or disclosure. An approved Institutional Review Board (IRB), Advarra,
has reviewed the study and determined that the research project is
exempt from IRB oversight. NHTSA will summarize the results of the
collection using aggregate statistics in a final report to be
distributed to NHTSA program and regional offices, State Highway Safety
Offices, and other traffic safety stakeholders. This collection will
inform the development of countermeasures, particularly in the areas of
communications and outreach, for increasing seat belt use and reducing
fatalities and injuries associated with the lack of seat belt use.
Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the
Information: NHTSA was established to reduce deaths, injuries, and
economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes on the Nation's
highways. As part of this statutory mandate, NHTSA is authorized to
conduct research for the development of traffic safety programs. Title
23, United States Code, Section 403 gives the Secretary of
Transportation (NHTSA by delegation) authorization to use funds
appropriated to conduct research and development activities, including
demonstration projects and the collection and analysis of highway and
motor vehicle safety data and related information, with respect to all
aspects of highway and traffic safety systems and conditions relating
to vehicle, highway, driver, passenger, motorcyclist, bicyclist, and
pedestrian characteristics; accident causation and investigations; and
human behavioral factors and their effect on highway and traffic
safety.
In 2018, 22,697 occupants of passenger vehicles (passenger cars,
pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs) died in motor vehicle crashes in the
United States. Of those killed where restraint status was known, 47%
were unrestrained at the time of the fatal crash. NHTSA estimates that
seat belts saved the lives of 14,955 passenger vehicle occupants age 5
and older in 2017 (latest data available), and, if all passenger
vehicle occupants age 5 and older had worn seat belts, an additional
2,549 lives could have been saved.\1\
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\1\ National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2020).
Occupant protection in passenger vehicles: 2018 data (Traffic Safety
Facts. Report No. DOT HS 812 967). National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration. https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812967.
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This project supports NHTSA's efforts to increase occupant
protection by examining factors related to seat belt use. Previous
research in this area indicated that news organizations may not report
seat belt use in many of the driving fatalities they cover.\2\ That
said, the research conducted previously involved data from 1999 through
2002, which may be out of date with current practices. Many
stakeholders assume that increased reporting of seat belt usage in
fatal crashes, especially when seat belts were not worn, could increase
seat belt use. In addition, when seat belt status has been reported in
a news report, it is not clear individuals are paying attention.
Improving awareness of seat belt status, particularly involving
unbelted fatalities, may be an effective countermeasure that may
encourage individuals to wear seat belts.
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\2\ Connor, S.M., & Wesolowski, K. (2004). Newspaper framing of
fatal motor vehicle crashes in four Midwestern cities in the United
States, 1999-2000. Inj Prev. 10(3), 149-153. https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ip.2003.003376. Rosales, M., & Stallones, L. (2008).
Coverage of motor vehicle crashes with injuries in U.S. newspapers,
1999-2002. Journal of Safety Research, 39(5), 477-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2008.08.001.
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The information from this collection will assist NHTSA in (a)
planning seat belt program activities; (b) supporting groups involved
in improving public safety; and (c) identifying countermeasure
strategies that are most acceptable and effective in increasing seat
belt use.
Affected Public: Participants will be U.S. adults (18 years and
older, except for those from Nebraska or Alabama (who will need to be
19 years or older), or those from Mississippi (who will need to be 21
years or older)) with fluency in reading and writing in English, who
have driven a passenger vehicle (car, van, SUV, or pickup truck) at
least once in the past month, and whose main form of transportation is
a passenger vehicle.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,850 total respondents, with
1,500 participating in the full experiment.
The experiment will invite up to 20,850 people to participate. The
number of invitations is based on the need to recruit 1,500
participants, 750 of whom are either non- or part-time seat belt users.
Based on corporate experience with online panels, the marketing
research firm providing access to their panel of participants estimates
a participation rate of 20%. Furthermore, NHTSA research has shown that
while most drivers reported wearing their seat belts every time they
drive, approximately 20% are either non-users or part-time users.\3\
Finally, NHTSA estimates that 90% who qualify and read the consent form
will provide consent and complete the study. To obtain a sample of 750
consenting participants in the non/part user group, requires a universe
of 20,850 potential respondents. Of the 20,850 invited panelists, we
expect 20% or 4,170 volunteers who are interested and qualify. Of the
4,170 who are interested, we expect 20% or 834 volunteers will be non-
or part-time seat belt users. Of the 834 volunteers who are non- or
part-time seat belt users, we expect 90% or 750 to consent and complete
the study. The marketing research firm will provide a link to the
consent form to the first 834 non- or part-time seat belt users and to
the first 834 full-time seat belt users who are interested and qualify.
(Once the firm reaches 750 completions from full-time users, which is
expected to occur before the 750 completions from non- or part-time
users, they will no longer provide links to the informed consent to
qualified full-time users.)
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\3\ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2019,
December). The 2016 motor vehicle occupant safety survey: Seat belt
report (Report No. DOT HS 812 798). Author. https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/43608.
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Frequency: This study is a one-time information collection, and
there will be no recurrence.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: The total estimated burden
associated with this collection is 1,057
[[Page 53729]]
hours. The sample of potential participants will receive an email
invitation from Schlesinger Group, a marketing research firm that
specializes in providing sampling pools of panelists, with screening
questions to determine eligibility. The 20,850 potential participants
are expected to spend 1 minute each in reading the invitation email for
an estimated 348 hours. Those who are interested (estimated to be 20%,
or 4,170 individuals) are expected to spend 1 minute each in completing
the screener form for an estimated 70 hours. Schlesinger will provide
electronic links to the consent form to the first 834 full-time seat
belt users and to the first 834 part-time/non-users who qualify based
on the screening questions. The 1,668 eligible participants are
expected to spend 5 minutes each reading and completing the consent
form for an estimated 139 hours. The estimated 1,500 consenting
participants will each spend 20 minutes completing the experiment for
an estimated 500 hours. The total burden is the sum of the burden
across the invitation/screening, consenting, and completing the
experiment for a total estimate of 1,057 hours. The details are
presented in Table 1 below.
Table 1--Estimated Burden Hours by Form
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Total
Estimated estimated
Form Description Participants minutes per burden hours
participant per form
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Form 1599............................. Invitation Email........ 20,850 1 348
Form 1604............................. Screener Form........... 4,170 1 70
Form 1600............................. Informed Consent Form... 1,668 5 139
Form 1601............................. Experiment Form......... 1,500 20 500
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Total............................. ........................ .............. .............. 1,057
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Estimated Total Annual Burden Cost: NHTSA estimates that there are
no costs to respondents beyond the time spent participating in the
study.
Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspects of
this information collection, including (a) whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the Department, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Department's estimate
of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of
information on respondents, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. chapter
35, as amended; 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order 1351.29.
Issued in Washington, DC.
Nanda Narayanan Srinivasan,
Associate Administrator, Research and Program Development.
[FR Doc. 2021-21040 Filed 9-27-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
