[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 227 (Friday, November 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59484-59485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29853]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[FHWA Docket No. MC-97-6]


Notice of Request for Extension of Currently Approved Information 
Collection; Controlled Substances and Alcohol Testing

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501, 3506(c)(2)(A)), the FHWA solicits comments on its intent 
to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend 
information collections that require motor carriers to test their 
commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to show that they operate

[[Page 59485]]

in compliance with the alcohol and controlled substances testing 
regulations.

DATES: Comments submitted to the FHWA must be received on or before 
January 21, 1997.

ADDRESSES: All signed, written comments should refer to the docket 
number that appears at the top of this document and must be submitted 
to: Docket Clerk, Attn: FHWA Docket No. MC-97-6, Federal Highway 
Administration, Department of Transportation, Room 4232, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Persons who require acknowledgment 
of the receipt of their comments must enclose a stamped, self-addressed 
postcard. Comments may be reviewed at the above address from 8:30 a.m. 
through 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    A copy of the comments may be sent to: Attention: Desk Officer for 
Federal Highway Administration/DOT, Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David R. Miller, Office of Motor 
Carrier Research and Standards, (202) 366-4009, Federal Highway 
Administration, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., 
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Electronic Availability. An electronic copy 
of this document may be downloaded using a modem and suitable 
communications software from the Federal Register electronic bulletin 
board service (telephone number: 202-512-1661). Internet users may 
reach the Federal Register's web page at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/
su__docs.
    Title: Controlled Substances and Alcohol Testing.
    OMB Number: 2125-0543.
    Background: Title 49 U.S.C. 31306 requires the Secretary of 
Transportation to promulgate regulations that require motor carriers to 
test their drivers for the use of alcohol and controlled substances. 
The Secretary has adopted regulations that require commercial motor 
vehicle (CMV) drivers to submit to testing by motor carriers.
    The information collection is required for motor carriers to 
document compliance with the controlled substances and alcohol testing 
regulations, show driver's Constitutional rights and privacy are 
sufficiently protected, show that drug-positive drivers and drivers 
with any alcohol concentration of 0.02 or greater in their body, are 
not being used to operate CMVs on public roads, and show that drivers 
who have tested positive have received necessary assistance in 
resolving their use problem. The records are used by the FHWA, and its 
State and local partners in the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance 
Program, to determine whether drivers have driven CMVs while using 
alcohol and drugs in violation of the law.
    Respondents: 553,238 motor carriers.
    Average Burden per Response: The FHWA estimates that each carrier 
will be subject to approximately 5 hours of burden annually.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: The FHWA estimates a total annual 
burden of 2,309,703 hours.
    Frequency: Records are required to be prepared and maintained at: 
Program start-up, quarterly, annually, before driver's first safety-
sensitive function for new motor carriers, certain CMV accidents, 
supervisor's reasonable suspicion of use, random selections, 
professional assessment, returning to duty after verified use, and 
follow-up test episodes.
    Interested parties are invited to send comments regarding any 
aspect of this collection of information, including, but not limited 
to: (1) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the FHWA, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (2) The accuracy of the 
estimated burden; (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the collected information; and (4) Ways to minimize the collection 
burden without reducing the quality of the collected information.

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. and 49 CFR 1.48

    Issued on: November 12, 1996.
G. Moore,
Associate Administrator for Administration.
[FR Doc. 96-29853 Filed 11-21-96; 8:45 am]
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