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

Graco Children's Products, Inc. (Graco), has determined that certain Graco Milestone child restraints manufactured between July 9, 2015 and October 6, 2015, do not fully comply with paragraph S5.5.2(g)(1)(ii) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 213, Child Restraint Systems. Graco filed a report pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. Graco then petitioned NHTSA under 49 CFR part 556 requesting a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. NHTSA is denying the petition.

Tireco, Inc. (Tireco) determined that certain Milestar brand medium truck tires do not comply with paragraph S6.5(j), and in some cases also paragraph S6.5(d), of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 119, New Pneumatic Tires for Vehicles with a GVWR of More Than 4,536 Kilograms (10,000 Pounds) and Motorcycles. Tireco filed a report dated February 5, 2015, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. Tireco then petitioned NHTSA under 49 CFR part 556 for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. NHTSA has decided to deny Tireco's petition in part and grant it in part.

Section 402 of title 23 of the United States Code requires the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate uniform guidelines for State highway safety programs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking comments on one (1) new guideline that reflects program methodologies and approaches that have proven to be successful and are based on sound science and program administration. The new guideline is No. 9 Distracted and Drowsy Driving. NHTSA believes the new guideline will provide more accurate, current and effective guidance to the States regarding distracted and drowsy driving. The guideline will be made publicly available on the NHTSA Web site.

The NHTSA announces meeting of NEMSAC to be held in the Metropolitan Washington, DC, area. This notice announces the date, time, and location of the meetings, which will be open to the public, as well as opportunities for public input to the NEMSAC. The purpose of NEMSAC, a nationally recognized council of emergency medical services representatives and consumers, is to advise and consult with DOT and the Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS) on matters relating to emergency medical services (EMS).

Michelin North America, Inc. (MNA), has determined that certain MNA tires do not fully comply with paragraph S5.5.1(b) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New pneumatic radial tires for light vehicles. MNA filed a report dated May 5, 2016, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. MNA then petitioned NHTSA under 49 CFR part 556 requesting a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (Cooper), has determined that certain Mastercraft and Big O tires do not fully comply with paragraph S5.5(f) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. Cooper filed a report dated May 24, 2016, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. Cooper then petitioned NHTSA under 49 CFR part 556 for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

This notice provides NHTSA's finding with respect to a request to waive the requirements of Buy America from the New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety (New Hampshire). NHTSA finds that a non-availability waiver of the Buy America requirement is appropriate for the purchase of five (5) Sokia SX Robotic total stations using Federal highway traffic safety grant funds because there are no suitable products produced in the United States.

NHTSA published a document in the Federal Register of June 30, 2016, concerning a request for information on the development of a nationally uniform 911 data system. The document contained incorrect information and an incorrect email address.

This document announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that model year (MY) 1994 and 1995 Lamborghini Diablo SE30 passenger cars (PC) 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 (the U.S.-certified version of the MY 1994 and 1995 Lamborghini Diablo SE30 PC) and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

NHTSA is announcing a public meeting to present the qualification and seating procedures for the Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint (THOR) 50th percentile male anthropomorphic test device (ATD). The meeting will include NHTSA presentations outlining the qualification and seating procedures the agency has been using and will provide opportunities for the attendees to ask questions on the technical aspects of the procedures.

Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA), has determined that certain CTA tires do not fully comply with paragraph S5.5(f) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139 New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. CTA filed a report dated December 11, 2015, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. CTA then petitioned NHTSA under 49 CFR part 556 requesting a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety.

This interim final rule updates the maximum civil penalty amounts for violations of statutes and regulations administered by NHTSA pursuant the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvement Act of 2015. This final rule also amends our regulations to reflect the new civil penalty amounts for violations of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety (the Safety Act) Act authorized by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act).

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (Cooper), has determined that certain Cooper tires do not fully comply with paragraph S5.5.1(b) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New pneumatic radial tires for light vehicles. Cooper filed a report dated January 8, 2016, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. Cooper then petitioned NHTSA under 49 CFR part 556 requesting a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety.

The development of a nationally uniform 911 data system, containing uniform data elements for all Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) data, data associated with the operation of local and State 911 systems, and Extensible Markup Language (XML) schema (or technical equivalent) that would enable the collection, analysis and sharing of standardized administrative data, operational data, cost data and all Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) data received, collected, processed, and transmitted during 911 calls; that would be developed and made available to all 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) and 911 Authorities at the state and local levels. This nationally uniform 911 data system, once developed, would provide essential information to assist strategic planning, governance decisions, and improvements to the 911 system and its operation at all levels of government. These data would also be useful to private sector companies providing support services to local and state 911 agencies.

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC (BATO), has determined that certain Bridgestone VSB heavy-duty radial truck tires do not fully comply with paragraph S6.5(d) of 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. BATO filed a report dated April 7, 2016, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. BATO then petitioned NHTSA under 49 CFR part 556 for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

Aston Martin Lagonda Limited (AML), has determined that certain model year (MY) 2009-2015 Aston Martin DB9 two-door and four- door passenger cars do not fully comply with paragraph S4.3 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 206, Door locks and door retention components. Aston Martin Lagonda of North America, Inc., filed a report dated December 16, 2015, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports for AML. AML then petitioned NHTSA under 49 CFR part 556 requesting a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen), has determined that certain model year (MY) 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible passenger cars do not fully comply with paragraph S4.3(d) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or Less. Volkswagen filed a report dated February 23, 2016, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. Volkswagen then petitioned NHTSA under 49 CFR part 556 requesting a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), 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. Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following information collection was published on October 29, 2016.

This action establishes revised uniform procedures implementing State highway safety grant programs, as a result of enactment of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. It also reorganizes, streamlines and updates some grant requirements. This document is being issued as an interim final rule to provide timely guidance to States about the application procedures for highway safety grants starting in year 2017. The agency requests comments on the rule. The agency will publish a notice responding to any comments received and, if appropriate, will amend provisions of the regulation.

This document extends the comment period on planned guidelines for the safe deployment and operation of automated vehicles. The intent of the operational guidance is to encourage innovative and safe deployment of automated vehicle technologies. Written statements and supporting information submitted during the comment period will be considered with the same weight as oral comments and supporting information presented at the public meetings. The comment due date was May 9, 2016. Comments continue to come in and requests have been made to extend the period to provide comments on this important topic. This document grants that request and extends the comment due date for the planned Guidelines to May 31, 2016.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and the expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on March 21, 2016 (Federal Register/Vol. 81, No. 54/pp.15147- 15148).

This document announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that model year (MY) 2012 Jeep Wrangler multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) that were manufactured for sale in the Mexican market and 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 (the U.S.-certified version of the 2012 Jeep Wrangler MPV) and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

This NPRM proposes a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 217a, ``Anti-ejection glazing for bus portals,'' to drive the installation of advanced glazing in high-occupancy buses (generally, over-the-road buses (of any weight) and non-over-the-road buses with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 11,793 kilograms (26,000 pounds). The new standard would specify impactor testing of glazing material. In the tests, a 26 kilogram (57 pound) impactor would be propelled from inside a test vehicle toward the window glazing at 21.6 kilometers/hour (13.4 miles per hour). The impactor and impact speed would simulate the loading from an average size unrestrained adult male impacting a window on the opposite side of a large bus in a rollover. Performance requirements would apply to side and rear windows, and to glass panels and windows on the roof to mitigate partial and complete ejection of passengers from these windows and to ensure that emergency exits remain operable after a rollover crash. NHTSA also proposes to limit the protrusions of emergency exit latches into emergency exit openings of windows to ensure they do not unduly hinder emergency egress. This NPRM is among the rulemakings issued pursuant to NHTSA's 2007 Approach to Motorcoach Safety and DOT's Departmental Motorcoach Safety Action Plan. In addition, to the extent warranted under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, establishing advanced glazing standards for the side and rear portals of the subject buses would fulfill a statutory provision of the Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2012 (incorporated and passed as part of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act).

This document announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that model year (MY) 2009 Mercedes-Benz G Class Long Wheelbase (LWB) (463 Chassis) multipurpose vehicles (MPVs) 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 (the U.S.- certified version of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz G Class LWB MPV) and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a new information collection. The John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), U.S. DOT, will conduct this study under an interagency agreement with NHTSA. The collection involves case study interviews with law enforcement agency personnel pertaining to their knowledge and practice in using automated license plate readers (ALPR) for traffic safety purposes. The information to be collected will be used to document the state of knowledge and practice in using ALPR for this purpose under the National Cooperative Research and Evaluation Program (NCREP), which is managed jointly by NHTSA and the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). 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.