[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 243 (Tuesday, December 18, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65250-65251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-31116]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2001-9477; Notice 2]


Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Request for public comment on additional collection of 
information for an existing collection.

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

SUMMARY: 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 one collection of information for which 
NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 19, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments must refer to the docket notice numbers cited at 
the beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Management, 
Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Please 
identify the proposed collection of information for which a comment is 
provided, by referencing its OMB clearance Number. It is requested, but 
not required, that 2 copies of the comment be provided. The Docket 
Section is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, contact Roger 
Saul, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5320, NPS-11,Washington, DC 
20590. Mr. Saul's telephone number is (202) 366-1740. Please identify 
the relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB Control 
Number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB 
for approval, it must first publish a document in the Federal Register 
providing a 60-day comment period and otherwise consult with members of 
the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of 
information. The OMB has promulgated regulations describing what must 
be included in such a document. Under OMB's regulation (at 5CFR 
1320.8(d)), an agency must ask for public comment on the following:
    (i) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (ii) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (iii) how to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected;
    (iv) how to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks for public 
comments on the following proposed collections of information:
    Title: Consolidated Vehicle Owner's Manual Requirements for Motor 
Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    OMB Control Number: 2127-0541.
    Affected Public: Individuals, Households, Business, other for-
profit, Not-for-profit, Farms, Federal Government and State, Local or 
Tribal Government.
    Abstract: 49 U.S.C. 30117 authorizes the Secretary to require that 
manufacturers provide technical information, as for example information 
directed for publication in a vehicle owner's manual, related to the 
performance and safety specified in the Federal motor vehicle safety 
standards for the purposes of educating the consumer and providing 
safeguards against improper use. Using this authority, the agency 
issued the following FMVSS and regulations, specifying that certain 
safety precautions regarding items of motor vehicle equipment appear in 
the vehicle owner's manual to aid the agency in achieving many of its 
safety goals.

FMVSS No. 108--Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment

    This standard requires that certain lamps and reflective devices 
with certain performance levels be installed on motor vehicles to 
assure that the roadway is properly illuminated, that vehicles can be 
readily seen, and the signals can be transmitted to other drivers 
sharing the road, during day, night and inclement weather. Since the 
specific manner in which headlamp aim is to be performed is not 
regulated (only the performance of the device is), aiming devices 
manufactured or installed by different vehicle and headlamp 
manufacturers may work in significantly different ways. As a 
consequence, to assure that headlamps can be correctly aimed, 
instructions for proper use must be part of the vehicle as a label, or 
optionally, in the vehicle owner's manual.

FMVSS 110--Tire Selection and Rims

    This standard specifies requirements for tire selection to prevent 
tire overloading. The vehicle's normal load and maximum load on the 
tire shall not be greater than applicable specified limits. The 
standard requires a permanently affixed vehicle placard specifying 
vehicle capacity weight, designated seating capacity, manufacturer 
recommended cold tire inflation pressure, and manufacturer's 
recommended tire size. The standard

[[Page 65251]]

further specifies rim construction requirements, load limits of non-
pneumatic spare tires, and labeling requirements for non-pneumatic 
spare tires, including a required placard. Owner's manual information 
is required for ``Use of Spare Tire''. Revision of FMVSS 110 will 
require additional owner's manual information on the revised vehicle 
placard and tire information label, on revised tire labeling, and on 
tire safety and load limits and terminology.

FMVSS No. 205--Glazing Materials

    This standard specifies requirement for all glazing material used 
in windshields, windows, and interior partitions of motor vehicles. Its 
purpose is to reduce the likelihood of lacerations and to minimize the 
possibility of occupants penetrating the windshield in a crash. More 
detailed information regarding the care and maintenance of such glazing 
items, as the glass-plastic windshield is required to be placed in the 
vehicle owner's manual.

FMVSS No. 208--Occupant Crash Protection

    This standard specifies requirements for both active and passive 
occupant crash protection systems for passenger cars, multipurpose 
passenger vehicles, trucks and small buses. Certain safety features, 
such as air bags, or the care and maintenance of air bag systems, are 
required to be explained to the owner by means of the owner's manual. 
For example, the owner's manual must describe the vehicle's air bag 
system and provide precautionary information about the proper 
positioning of the occupants, including children. The owner's manual 
must also warn that no objects, such as shotguns carried in police 
cars, should be placed over or near the air bag covers.

FMVSS No. 210-Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages

    This standard specifies requirements for seat belt assembly 
anchorages to ensure effective occupant restraint and to reduce the 
likelihood of failure in a crash. The standard requires that 
manufacturers place the following information in the vehicle owner's 
manual:
    a. an explanation that child restraints are designed to be secured 
by means of the vehicle's seat belts, and,
    b. a statement alerting vehicle owners that children are always 
safer in the rear seat.

FMVSS No. 213--Child Restraint Systems

    This standard specifies requirements for child restraint systems 
and requires that manufacturers provide consumers with detailed 
information relating to child safety in air bag-equipped vehicles. The 
vehicle owner's manual must include information about the operation and 
do's and don'ts of built-in child seats.

Part 575 Section 103--Camper Loading

    This standard requires that manufacturers of slide-in campers 
designed to fit into the cargo bed of pickup trucks affix a label to 
each camper that contains information relating to certification, 
identification and proper loading, and to provide more detailed loading 
information in the owner's manual of the truck.

Part 575 Section 105--Utility Vehicles

    This regulation requires manufacturers of utility vehicles to alert 
drivers that the particular handling and maneuvering characteristics of 
utility vehicles require special driving practices when these vehicles 
are operated on paved roads. For example, the vehicle owner's manual is 
required to contain a discussion of vehicle design features that cause 
this type of vehicle to be more likely to roll over, and to include a 
discussion of driving practices that can reduce the risk of roll over. 
A statement is provided in the regulation that manufacturers shall 
include, in its entirety or equivalent form, in the vehicle owner's 
manual.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1,771 hours.
    Number of Respondents: 25.

    Issued on: December 12, 2001.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 01-31116 Filed 12-17-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P