Agency Information Collection Activities; Renewal of an Approved Information Collection: Accident Recordkeeping Requirements, 86723-86725 [2023-27456]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 239 / Thursday, December 14, 2023 / Notices unbound format, no larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. Comments received after the comment closing date will be included in the docket and will be considered to the extent practicable. Privacy Act In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL– 14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Background FMCSA registers for-hire motor carriers of regulated commodities and of passengers under 49 U.S.C. 13902(a); surface freight forwarders under 49 U.S.C. 13903; property brokers under 49 U.S.C. 13904; and certain Mexico domiciled motor carriers under 49 U.S.C. 13902(c). These motor carriers may conduct transportation services in the United States only if they are registered with FMCSA. Each registration is effective from the date specified and remains in effect for such period as the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) determines by regulations. Prior to 2015, all entities seeking authority (both first-time applicants and registered entities seeking additional authorities) were required to apply for such authority using the OP–1 series of forms, including OP–1, OP–1(P), OP– 1(FF), OP–1(NNA), and OP–1(MX) (for Mexico-domiciled carriers only). The final rule titled ‘‘Unified Registration System,’’ (78 FR 52608) dated August 23, 2013, implemented statutory provisions for an online registration system for entities that are subject to FMCSA’s licensing, registration, and certification regulations. The Unified Registration System (URS) streamlines the registration process and serves as a clearinghouse and repository of information on motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, intermodal equipment providers, hazardous materials safety permit applicants, and cargo tank facilities required to register with FMCSA. When developing URS, FMCSA planned that the OP–1 series of forms—except for OP–1(MX)—would ultimately be folded into one overarching electronic application (MCSA–1) which would be used by all motor carriers seeking authority. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Dec 13, 2023 Jkt 262001 FMCSA began a phased rollout of URS in 2015. The first phase, which went into effect on December 12, 2015, impacted only first-time applicants seeking an FMCSA-issued registration. FMCSA had planned subsequent rollout phases for existing registrants; however, there were substantial delays, and subsequent phases have not been rolled out to date. On January 17, 2017, FMCSA issued a final rule titled ‘‘Unified Registration System; Suspension of Effectiveness,’’ which indefinitely suspended URS effective dates for existing registrants only (82 FR 5292). Pursuant to this final rule, FMCSA is still accepting forms OP–1, OP–1(P), OP–1(FF), and OP– 1(NNA) for existing registrants wishing to apply for additional authorities. Separately, FMCSA requires Form OP– 1(MX) for new and existing Mexicodomiciled motor carriers that wish to operate beyond the U.S. municipalities on the U.S.-Mexico border and their commercial zones. Information collected through URS, utilizing the MCSA–1, does not include registration form OP–1(MX), which continues to remain a paper form outside URS. Forms in the OP–1 series request information to identify the applicant, the nature and scope of its proposed operations, a narrative description of the applicant’s safety policies and procedures, and information regarding the drivers and vehicles it plans to use in U.S. operations. The OP–1 series also requests information on the applicant’s familiarity with relevant safety requirements, the applicant’s willingness to comply with those requirements during its operations, and the applicant’s willingness to meet any specific statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to its proposed operations. Information collected through these forms aids FMCSA in determining the type of operation a company may run, the cargo it may carry, and the resulting level of insurance coverage the applicant will be required to obtain and maintain to continue its operating authority. Changes From Previous Estimates The currently approved version of this ICR estimated the average annual burden to be 162,476 annual burden hours, with 81,209 total annual respondents. For this renewal the estimated average annual burden is 318,656, with 159,312 total average annual respondents. The annual burden hourly increase of 156,180 is due to an increase in the number of entities that registered 2020 through 2022 and were required to obtain operating authority registration. The average number of PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 86723 entities which registered in the threeyear period 2020 and 2022 increased by 96 percent compared to the number that registered 2017 through 2019. Title: Licensing Applications for Motor Carrier Operating Authority. OMB Control Number: 2126–0016. Type of Request: Renewal of a currently approved ICR. Respondents: Carrier compliance officer or equivalent from motor carriers, motor passenger carriers, freight forwarders, brokers, and certain Mexico-domiciled motor carriers subject to FMCSA’s licensing, registration, and certification regulations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 159,312. Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours for forms OP–1, OP–1(P) and OP–1(FF); 4 hours for forms OP–1(MX) and OP– 1(NNA). Expiration Date: May 31, 2024. Frequency of Response: Other (as needed). Estimated Total Annual Burden: 318,656. Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) whether the proposed collection is necessary for the performance of FMCSA’s functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways for FMCSA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected information. The Agency will summarize or include your comments in the request for OMB’s clearance of this ICR. Issued under the authority of 49 CFR 1.87. Thomas P. Keane, Associate Administrator, Office of Research and Registration. [FR Doc. 2023–27455 Filed 12–13–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2023–0100] Agency Information Collection Activities; Renewal of an Approved Information Collection: Accident Recordkeeping Requirements Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\14DEN1.SGM 14DEN1 86724 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 239 / Thursday, December 14, 2023 / Notices SUMMARY: Background Ms. Pearlie Robinson, Driver and Carrier Operations Division, DOT, FMCSA, West Building, 6th Floor, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590–0001; 202–366–4225; pearlie.robinson@dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Accident Recordkeeping Requirements. OMB Control Number: 2126–0009. Type of Request: Renewal of a currently approved collection. Respondents: Motor carriers. Estimated Number of Respondents: 93,280. Estimated Time per Response: 18 minutes. Expiration Date: February 29, 2024. Frequency of Response: On occasion. Estimated Total Annual Burden: 48,760 burden hours (162,533 accidents × 18 minutes per response/60 minutes in an hour = 48,760 hours). Definitions: Accident is an occurrence involving a CMV operating on a public road which results in: (1) a fatality, (2) bodily injury to a person who, as a result of the injury, immediately receives medical treatment away from the scene of the accident, or (3) one or more motor vehicles incurring disabling damage as a result of the accident, requiring the motor vehicle(s) to be transported away from the scene by a tow truck or other motor vehicle (see 49 CFR 390.5T). Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), section 390.15(b), requires motor carriers to make certain specified records and information pertaining to CMV accidents available to an authorized representative or special agent of FMCSA upon request or as part of an inquiry. Motor carriers are required to maintain an ‘‘accident register’’ consisting of information concerning all accidents involving their CMVs (§ 390.15(b) (see Definition: Accident above)). The following information must be recorded for each accident: date, location, driver name, number of injuries, number of fatalities, and whether certain dangerous hazardous materials were released. In addition, the motor carrier must maintain copies of all accident reports required by insurers or governmental entities. Motor carriers must maintain this information for 3 years after the date of the accident. Section 390.15 does not require motor carriers to submit any information or records to FMCSA or any other party. This ICR supports the DOT strategic goal of safety. By requiring motor carriers to gather and record information concerning CMV accidents, FMCSA is strengthening its ability to assess the safety performance of motor carriers. This information is a valuable resource in Agency initiatives to prevent, and reduce the severity of, CMV crashes. The Agency has modified several of its estimates for this ICR. The estimated number of annual respondents have increased, while the number of responses, burden hours, and annual costs to respondents have decreased. Explanations for these changes are summarized below. The previously approved burden is 55,425 burden hours. The Agency decreases its estimate to 48,760 burden hours. The text of § 390.15(b) is unchanged; the decrease in burden hours does not reflect changes in the requirements for accident recordkeeping. The adjustment in annual burden hours is due to an increase in the number of annual respondents from 89,270 to 93,280, and a decrease in the estimate of the number of reportable accidents from 184,749 to 162,533 per year, using interstate and intrastate DOT-reportable motor carrier crash records in FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Management Information System for calendar years 2020 through 2022. This ICR includes estimated labor costs associated with maintaining the accident register. The estimated annual labor cost for industry resulting from the accident register reporting requirements In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment. FMCSA requests approval to renew the ICR titled ‘‘Accident Recordkeeping Requirements.’’ This ICR relates to Agency requirements that motor carriers maintain a record of accidents involving their commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Motor carriers are not required to report this data to FMCSA, but must produce it upon inquiry by authorized Federal, State, or local officials. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before January 16, 2024. 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 information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Dec 13, 2023 Jkt 262001 PO 00000 Frm 00103 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 is decreased from $1.86 million to $1.51 million. Finally, the estimated annual cost associated with accident recordkeeping (outside of labor costs) is decreased from $106,785 to $93,944. In the current iteration of this ICR, FMCSA is assuming that (1) approximately 15 percent of motor carriers are storing their Accident Registers electronically, at no extra cost, and (2) approximately 85 percent of motor carriers are storing hard copy versions of their accident registers. FMCSA is further assuming that motor carriers that maintain paper records are storing their accident registers at their primary place of business, so that they have easy access to such records during an FMCSA investigation. On August 8, 2023, FMCSA published a notice in the Federal Register with a 60-day public comment period announcing the proposed renewal of this ICR (88 FR 53579). The Agency received four comments. Two commenters, Philip Clark and an anonymous individual, submitted comments opposing the underlying regulatory requirement for an accident register. Michael Dolezal, a third individual, submitted comments that were neither in support of nor against the ICR renewal. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA) submitted comments in favor of renewing this ICR, and suggested additional information be added to the accident register. None of the commenters addressed whether the proposed collection is necessary for the accuracy of the estimated burden; nor the ways the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected information. Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) whether the proposed collection is necessary for the performance of FMCSA’s functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways for FMCSA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected information. The Agency will summarize or include your comments in the request for OMB’s clearance of this ICR. E:\FR\FM\14DEN1.SGM 14DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 239 / Thursday, December 14, 2023 / Notices Issued under the authority of 49 CFR 1.87. Thomas P. Keane, Associate Administrator, Office of Research and Registration. [FR Doc. 2023–27456 Filed 12–13–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2023–0159] Agency Information Collection Activities; Renewal of an Approved Information Collection: Inspection, Repair and Maintenance Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment. The information collection concerns records of inspection, repair, and maintenance of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). FMCSA is seeking to renew an ICR titled, ‘‘Inspection, Repair and Maintenance.’’ DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before January 16, 2024. 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 information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function. SUMMARY: Mr. Jose R. Cestero, Vehicle and Roadside Operations Division, DOT, FMCSA, West Building, 6th Floor, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590; 202–366–5541; jose.cestero@ dot.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Inspection, Repair and Maintenance. OMB Control Number: 2126–0003. Type of Request: Renewal of a currently approved information collection. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Dec 13, 2023 Jkt 262001 Respondents: Motor carriers and CMV drivers. Estimated Number of Respondents: 757,652 motor carriers and 5,646,722 drivers. Estimated Time per Response: Varies according to the requirements for specific records. Expiration Date: December 31, 2023. Frequency of Response: Varies according to requirements for specific records. Estimated Total Annual Burden: 19,103,153 hours [14,602,802 hours for inspection, repair, and maintenance + 3,516,342 hours for driver inspection reports + 161,528 hours for disposition of roadside inspection reports + 777,864 hours for periodic inspections + 23,571 hours for records of inspector qualifications + 21,046 hours for records of brake inspector qualifications]. Background The Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) is authorized under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 31502 to prescribe requirements for, among other things, safety of operations of equipment of motor carriers that operate CMVs in interstate commerce. Under 49 U.S.C. 31136, the Secretary also has authority to prescribe regulations to ensure that CMVs are maintained, equipped, loaded, and operated safely. Under 49 U.S.C. 31142 the Secretary must establish standards for annual or more frequent inspections of CMVs. The Secretary’s authority to establish improved standards or methods to ensure brakes and brake systems of CMVs are inspected by appropriate employees and maintained properly is provided under 49 U.S.C. 31137(g). Motor carriers must maintain, or require maintenance of, records documenting the inspection, repair and maintenance activities performed on their owned and leased vehicles. There are no prescribed forms. Electronic recordkeeping is allowed (see 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 390.31(d)). Documents requiring a signature must be capable of replication (e.g., photocopy, facsimile, etc.) in such form that will provide an opportunity for signature verification upon demand. Also, if electronic recordkeeping is used, all the relevant data on the original documents must be included in the electronic transmission for the records to be valid. Most motor carriers would keep some records without any regulatory requirements to do so. Records of inspection, repair, and maintenance; roadside inspection reports; driver PO 00000 Frm 00104 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 86725 vehicle inspection reports; the documentation of periodic inspections; the evidence of the qualifications of individuals performing periodic inspections; and the evidence of brake inspectors’ qualifications contain the minimum amount of information necessary to document that a motor carrier has established a system of inspection, repair, and maintenance for its equipment which meets the standards in 49 CFR part 396. FMCSA and its representatives use these records to verify motor carriers’ compliance with the inspection, repair, and maintenance standards in part 396. This ICR supports DOT’s strategic goal of safety. The ICR also ensures that motor carriers have adequate records to document the inspection, repair, and maintenance of their CMVs, and to ensure that adequate measures are taken to keep their CMVs in safe and proper operating condition at all times. Compliance with the inspection, repair, and maintenance regulations helps to reduce the likelihood of accidents attributable, in whole or in part, to the mechanical condition of the CMV. This ICR submittal includes updated data regarding the number of motor carriers subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, vehicle counts, inspections, and other underlying data used to estimate the total burden hours. If the recordkeeping were required to be completed less frequently, it would greatly hinder the ability of FMCSA and State officials and representatives to ascertain that CMVs are satisfactorily maintained. The timely documentation of CMV inspection, repair, and maintenance enables FMCSA and State officials to evaluate the present state of a motor carrier’s CMV maintenance program and to check the current level of regulatory compliance at any point in a carrier’s maintenance schedule or program. FMCSA has identified periodic inspection standards of 22 States, the District of Columbia, the Alabama Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board, 10 Canadian Provinces, and one Canadian Territory that are comparable to, or as effective as, the Federal periodic inspection requirements. FMCSA does not require Federal periodic inspections and the related recordkeeping for motor carriers that comply with these equivalent periodic inspection programs. FMCSA is not aware of any other duplicative standards or recordkeeping requirements that apply to motor carriers. E:\FR\FM\14DEN1.SGM 14DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 239 (Thursday, December 14, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 86723-86725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27456]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2023-0100]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Renewal of an Approved 
Information Collection: Accident Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department 
of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 86724]]

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA 
announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) 
described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its 
review and approval and invites public comment. FMCSA requests approval 
to renew the ICR titled ``Accident Recordkeeping Requirements.'' This 
ICR relates to Agency requirements that motor carriers maintain a 
record of accidents involving their commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). 
Motor carriers are not required to report this data to FMCSA, but must 
produce it upon inquiry by authorized Federal, State, or local 
officials.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before January 
16, 2024.

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 information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Pearlie Robinson, Driver and 
Carrier Operations Division, DOT, FMCSA, West Building, 6th Floor, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001; 202-366-4225; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Accident Recordkeeping Requirements.
    OMB Control Number: 2126-0009.
    Type of Request: Renewal of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Motor carriers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 93,280.
    Estimated Time per Response: 18 minutes.
    Expiration Date: February 29, 2024.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 48,760 burden hours (162,533 
accidents x 18 minutes per response/60 minutes in an hour = 48,760 
hours).
    Definitions: Accident is an occurrence involving a CMV operating on 
a public road which results in: (1) a fatality, (2) bodily injury to a 
person who, as a result of the injury, immediately receives medical 
treatment away from the scene of the accident, or (3) one or more motor 
vehicles incurring disabling damage as a result of the accident, 
requiring the motor vehicle(s) to be transported away from the scene by 
a tow truck or other motor vehicle (see 49 CFR 390.5T).

Background

    Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), section 
390.15(b), requires motor carriers to make certain specified records 
and information pertaining to CMV accidents available to an authorized 
representative or special agent of FMCSA upon request or as part of an 
inquiry. Motor carriers are required to maintain an ``accident 
register'' consisting of information concerning all accidents involving 
their CMVs (Sec.  390.15(b) (see Definition: Accident above)). The 
following information must be recorded for each accident: date, 
location, driver name, number of injuries, number of fatalities, and 
whether certain dangerous hazardous materials were released. In 
addition, the motor carrier must maintain copies of all accident 
reports required by insurers or governmental entities. Motor carriers 
must maintain this information for 3 years after the date of the 
accident. Section 390.15 does not require motor carriers to submit any 
information or records to FMCSA or any other party.
    This ICR supports the DOT strategic goal of safety. By requiring 
motor carriers to gather and record information concerning CMV 
accidents, FMCSA is strengthening its ability to assess the safety 
performance of motor carriers. This information is a valuable resource 
in Agency initiatives to prevent, and reduce the severity of, CMV 
crashes.
    The Agency has modified several of its estimates for this ICR. The 
estimated number of annual respondents have increased, while the number 
of responses, burden hours, and annual costs to respondents have 
decreased. Explanations for these changes are summarized below.
    The previously approved burden is 55,425 burden hours. The Agency 
decreases its estimate to 48,760 burden hours. The text of Sec.  
390.15(b) is unchanged; the decrease in burden hours does not reflect 
changes in the requirements for accident recordkeeping. The adjustment 
in annual burden hours is due to an increase in the number of annual 
respondents from 89,270 to 93,280, and a decrease in the estimate of 
the number of reportable accidents from 184,749 to 162,533 per year, 
using interstate and intrastate DOT-reportable motor carrier crash 
records in FMCSA's Motor Carrier Management Information System for 
calendar years 2020 through 2022.
    This ICR includes estimated labor costs associated with maintaining 
the accident register. The estimated annual labor cost for industry 
resulting from the accident register reporting requirements is 
decreased from $1.86 million to $1.51 million.
    Finally, the estimated annual cost associated with accident 
recordkeeping (outside of labor costs) is decreased from $106,785 to 
$93,944. In the current iteration of this ICR, FMCSA is assuming that 
(1) approximately 15 percent of motor carriers are storing their 
Accident Registers electronically, at no extra cost, and (2) 
approximately 85 percent of motor carriers are storing hard copy 
versions of their accident registers. FMCSA is further assuming that 
motor carriers that maintain paper records are storing their accident 
registers at their primary place of business, so that they have easy 
access to such records during an FMCSA investigation.
    On August 8, 2023, FMCSA published a notice in the Federal Register 
with a 60-day public comment period announcing the proposed renewal of 
this ICR (88 FR 53579). The Agency received four comments. Two 
commenters, Philip Clark and an anonymous individual, submitted 
comments opposing the underlying regulatory requirement for an accident 
register. Michael Dolezal, a third individual, submitted comments that 
were neither in support of nor against the ICR renewal. The National 
Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA) submitted comments in 
favor of renewing this ICR, and suggested additional information be 
added to the accident register.
    None of the commenters addressed whether the proposed collection is 
necessary for the accuracy of the estimated burden; nor the ways the 
burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected 
information.
    Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of 
this information collection, including: (1) whether the proposed 
collection is necessary for the performance of FMCSA's functions; (2) 
the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways for FMCSA to enhance the 
quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) 
ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of 
the collected information. The Agency will summarize or include your 
comments in the request for OMB's clearance of this ICR.

[[Page 86725]]

    Issued under the authority of 49 CFR 1.87.

Thomas P. Keane,
Associate Administrator, Office of Research and Registration.
[FR Doc. 2023-27456 Filed 12-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P


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