[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 72 (Friday, April 12, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16280-16281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9162]



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[[Page 16281]]


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 96-032-GR]


Crash Avoidance Implementation Plan

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has 
prepared a Draft Crash Avoidance Implementation Plan (CAI Plan ), which 
sets forth agency programs and activities in the area of motor vehicle 
crash avoidance implementation over the next three to five years. For 
each project, the Draft CAI Plan describes the problem, possible 
anticipated action, and milestones.

DATES: Comments are due not later than June 3, 1996.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be mailed to the Docket Section, 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Room 5109, 400 7th 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20590. Please refer to the docket number at 
the top of this notice when submitting written comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and to obtain 
a copy of the Draft CAI Plan, contact Michael Pyne, Office of Crash 
Avoidance Standards, NHTSA, 400 7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20590, 
Telephone 202-366-4931, Fax 202-366-4329. Copies of the Draft CAI Plan 
are also available on the Internet (NHTSA Home Page).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration (NHTSA) has developed a Draft Crash Avoidance 
Implementation Plan (CAI Plan), which sets forth agency plans and goals 
toward reducing the frequency and severity of motor vehicle crashes. 
The plan reflects the agency's Crash Avoidance Implementation Program, 
which is part of the agency's overall effort to develop, promote, and 
implement effective educational, engineering, and enforcement programs 
directed at ending preventable tragedies and reducing economic costs 
associated with on-road vehicle use and travel. The CAI Plan is 
intended to guide the agency over the next three to five years in the 
area of motor vehicle crash avoidance safety implementation; and was 
developed by NHTSA's Office of Safety Performance Standards.
    The Draft CAI Plan sets forth for each project a description of the 
problem, possible anticipated actions, and agency milestones. The three 
prong approach focuses on (1) new vehicles, (2) in-service vehicles, 
and (3) driver/vehicle interface. In keeping with President Clinton's 
1995 regulatory reform initiative, the Draft CAI Plan seeks both 
regulatory and non-regulatory solutions to potential motor vehicle 
crash avoidance safety problems. A major goal throughout the Draft CAI 
Plan approach is to achieve enhanced communications with NHTSA 
customers and partners. Through outreach meetings, informal 
discussions, joint activities, consensual rulemaking, and other means, 
the agency hopes to improve lines of communication through which 
customers, partners, and other interested parties will share 
information and help the agency implement solutions to potential crash 
avoidance safety problems.
    Elements for new and in-service vehicles addressed by the Draft CAI 
Plan include systems performance and design, vehicle components, and 
aftermarket equipment. These are addressed through mandatory and 
optional standards, support for voluntary industry guidelines, co-
operative efforts with industry, provision of model guidelines for 
States and localities to use, and consumer information on performance 
of vehicle systems and components.
    Driver/vehicle interface elements addressed by the Draft CAI Plan 
include educating and informing drivers on behavior to safely 
accommodate vehicle performance characteristics and new technologies; 
providing consumer information on equipment characteristics and system 
performance so that vehicle users can make informed safety choices; and 
addressing needs of special groups such as older drivers, novices, 
fatigued drivers, and drivers with disabilities. Approaches for 
addressing these include vehicle regulation; labeling requirements; 
consumer advisories and warnings; education and information through 
national, State, and local safety organizations both public and 
private; and working with vehicle and equipment manufacturers, dealers, 
insurers, and interested citizens.
    NHTSA requests written comments, suggestions, and recommendations 
on the substance and direction of the Draft CAI Plan in order to better 
achieve improved crash avoidance safety. Comments are also requested on 
issues and approaches for improving safety which may not be addressed 
by the Draft CAI Plan but have the potential for providing effective 
solutions to crash avoidance safety problems. The agency is 
particularly interested in comments identifying opportunities for 
collaborative efforts with its partners and customers. Comments should 
include supporting data wherever possible, along with information on 
the costs and benefits of a particular recommended approach. In 
addition to written comments, the agency requests that commenters 
submit copies of supporting documents, analyses, or referenced 
citations wherever appropriate.
    Once all comments are received and considered, the agency will 
develop a final CAI Plan. The Plan is a dynamic document, and program 
actions, directions, and priorities are expected to be modified based 
on safety data, research results, technological advances, and other 
information developed by NHTSA or provided by the agency's partners and 
customers.
    NHTSA invites written comments from all interested persons. It is 
requested but not required that 10 copies be submitted. The agency 
requests that comments not exceed 15 pages in length (49 CFR 553.21). 
Necessary attachments may be appended to these submissions without 
regard to the 15 page limit. This limitation is intended to encourage 
commenters to offer their primary comments in a concise manner.
    All comments received before the close of business on the comment 
closing date listed above will be considered and will be available for 
examination in the docket room at the above address. To the extent 
possible, comments filed after the closing date will be considered. The 
agency will continue to file relevant information as it becomes 
available.

    Issued: April 18, 1996.
Barry Felrice,
Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 96-9162 Filed 4-11-96; 8:45 am]
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