National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document grants in full the BMW of North America, LLC's (BMW) petition for exemption of the 8 series vehicle line in accordance with Exemption from the Theft Prevention Standard. This petition is granted because the Agency has determined that the antitheft device to be placed on the vehicle line as standard equipment is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the parts-marking requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard (Theft Prevention Standard). BMW also requested confidential treatment for specific information in its petition. Therefore, no confidential information provided for purposes of this notice has been disclosed.

This document denies a January 11, 2017, petition, as submitted under Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) ID number 10944318, from Ms. Laura Nagel of Springfield, VA, requesting that the agency open an investigation into an alleged defect resulting in engine stall without warning after refueling in a model year (MY) 2007 Jeep Patriot. The petitioner's vehicle is a 2007 Jeep Patriot. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluated the petition by analyzing consumer complaints submitted to the Agency, by reviewing two prior evaluations of the same apparent defect issue, and by reviewing technical and field information provided by FCA US, LLC (FCA) in response to an information request letter from the Agency. After completing this evaluation, NHTSA has concluded that further investigation of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles is unlikely to result in a determination that a safety related defect exists. The agency accordingly denies the petition.

NHTSA, on behalf of the Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS), is seeking comments from all sources (public, private, governmental, academic, professional, public interest groups, and other interested parties) on improving prehospital trauma care. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments on improving prehospital trauma care, and to request responses to specific questions provided below. This is neither a request for proposals nor an invitation for bids.

This document solicits public comments on continuation of the requirements for the collection of information entitled ``Motorcycle Helmets (Labeling)'' (OMB Control Number: 2127-0518). Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (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 reinstatement of previously approved collections.

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River), has determined that certain model year (MY) 2017-2018 Forest River buses and school buses do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 205, Glazing Materials. Forest River filed two separate noncompliance reports, both dated November 30, 2017. Forest River then petitioned NHTSA on December 12, 2017, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., on behalf of Toyota Motor Corporation (collectively referred to as ``Toyota''), has determined that certain model year (MY) 2016-2017 Lexus RX350 and RX450H motor vehicles do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 302, Flammability of Interior Materials. Toyota filed a noncompliance information report dated November 3, 2016. Toyota also petitioned NHTSA on November 23, 2016, and provided a supplement to their petition on December 12, 2016, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

AGC Glass Company North America (d.b.a. AGC Automotive Americas Co. ``AGC''), has determined that certain rear privacy glass manufactured as replacement glass for certain model year (MY) 2013-2017 Jeep Compass motor vehicles does not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 205, Glazing Materials. AGC filed a noncompliance report dated October 13, 2017. AGC also petitioned NHTSA on November 8, 2017, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

On January 2, 2018, TK Holdings Inc. (Takata) filed a defect information report (DIR), in which it determined that a defect existed in certain passenger-side air bag inflators that it manufactured, including passenger inflators that it supplied to General Motors, LLC (GM) for use in certain GMT900 vehicles. GM has petitioned the Agency for a decision that, because of differences in inflator design and vehicle integration, the equipment defect determined to exist by Takata is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety in the GMT900 vehicles, and that GM should therefore be relieved of its notification and remedy obligations. This notice serves to make the public aware of GM's pending request to the agency and the period for public comment. It does not address GM's substantive claims, nor legal arguments or interpretations asserted by GM.

Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI), on behalf of itself and its subsidiary Sumitomo Rubber North America, Inc. (SRNA), have determined that certain Falken truck tires do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 119, New Pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) and Motorcycles. SRI filed a noncompliance report dated June 20, 2017. SRI also petitioned NHTSA on July 10, 2017, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

In accordance with the procedures in 49 CFR part 555, BMW of North America, LLC has petitioned the Agency for a temporary exemption from certain headlamp requirements of FMVSS No. 108 to allow the use of its Glare-Free High Beam Assist, a type of ADB headlighting system. BMW requests the exemption on the basis that it would facilitate the development or field evaluation of a new motor vehicle safety feature providing a safety level at least equal to that of the standard. NHTSA has made no judgment on the merits of the application. This notice of receipt of an application for a temporary exemption is published in accordance with statutory and administrative provisions. We also request additional information from BMW, Volkswagen (for which the Agency previously published a notice of receipt of an exemption petition for an ADB headlighting system) and other manufacturers who petition for similar exemptions for ADB systems.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen), has determined that certain seat belt assemblies that it sold to its dealers as replacement equipment for certain model year (MY) 2009-2014 Volkswagen Routan motor vehicles do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209, Seat Belt Assemblies. Volkswagen filed a noncompliance report dated November 8, 2017. Volkswagen then petitioned NHTSA on November 29, 2017, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below is being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comments. A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following information collection was published on December 28, 2017. Comments received from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Inc.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden.

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (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 the collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

This document announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that model year (MY) 2007 Jeep Wrangler Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles (MPV) manufactured before September 1, 2007, that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) are eligible for importation into the United States because they are substantially similar to vehicles that were originally manufactured for sale in the United States and that were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards, specifically the U.S.-certified version of the 2007 Jeep Wrangler MPV manufactured before September 1, 2007, and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

NHTSA is announcing a public meeting as part of the Agency's initiative to combat drug-impaired driving on U.S. roads. NHTSA is holding this public meeting to facilitate a national dialogue on best practices, lessons learned, and to develop a call-to-action with short- , mid-, and long-term plans to address drug-impaired driving in the U.S. NHTSA is bringing together key stakeholdersincluding safety partners; state and local officials; data and policy experts; law enforcement and criminal justice professionals; toxicologists; drug recognition experts; and othersto join the DOT in setting a course of action and taking measurable steps to address drug-impaired driving. Registration information for this event will be available at www.nhtsa.gov on March 1, 2018. Attendance at the meeting is limited because of space limitations of the DOT Conference Center; however, the meeting will be available for live public viewing on the NHTSA website (www.nhtsa.gov).

In response to a request, NHTSA is extending the comment period on the Removing Regulatory Barriers for Vehicles with Automated Driving Systems Request for Comment (RFC) to March 20, 2018. The RFC was published in the Federal Register on January 18, 2018. The comment period for the RFC was originally scheduled to end on March 5, 2018.

This document responds to petitions for reconsideration regarding NHTSA's December 2016 final rule which established new Federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) No. 141, ``Minimum sound for hybrid and electric vehicles.'' The agency received submissions from three petitioners requesting six discrete changes to the final rule, and also received technical questions from the petitioners. After consideration of the petitions and all supporting information, NHTSA has decided to grant the petitions for four of the discrete changes, deny one, and request comment in a separate document for the sixth proposed change.

The DOT invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an 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 reinstatement of previously approved collections.

General Motors, LLC, (GM) has determined that certain model year (MY) 2015 GMC multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPV) do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment. GM has filed a noncompliance report dated November 5, 2014. GM also petitioned NHTSA on November 26, 2014, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (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 reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes a collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

NHTSA is announcing a public meeting as part of the Agency's effort to seek public comments to identify any regulatory barriers in the existing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to the testing, compliance certification, and compliance verification of vehicles with Automated Driving Systems (ADSs) and certain unconventional interior designs. The Agency published a Federal Register Notice of Request for Comments (RFC) titled Removing Regulatory Barriers for Vehicles with Automated Driving Systems on January 18, 2018, that included specific questions for which the Agency seeks comment (83 FR 2607, Docket No. NHTSA-2018-0009). NHTSA is holding this public meeting to present to the public a summary of the RFC and activities underway at NHTSA and across the industry regarding the identification and removal of barriers that might impede safe deployment of ADSs. This material is intended to better inform the public as they prepare comments in response to the RFC. Public comments are welcome at this meeting, but all should be oral, and any supporting presentations or materials should be submitted to the docket for consideration.

This document announces receipt by NHTSA of a petition for a decision that model year (MY) 2006 Penman Lightweight GS cargo trailers that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) are eligible for importation into the United States because they have safety features that comply with, or are capable of being altered to comply with, all such standards.

This document denies a petition for rulemaking submitted by Mr. William H. Thompson III requesting NHTSA amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. Specifically, Mr. Thompson requested we revise the activation process for red and amber signal warning lamps on school buses to require a new intermediate step during which both colors are activated simultaneously and flash in an alternating pattern and that we decouple the process by which lamps transition to the red-only configuration from the opening of the bus entrance door. NHTSA is denying this petition because Mr. Thompson has not identified a safety need to justify making changes he requested, and Mr. Thompson did not provide persuasive quantitative data to show adopting his requested changes would result in a net benefit to safety.