[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 86 (Friday, May 2, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24349-24350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-9648]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[U.S. DOT Docket No. NHTSA-2008-0091]


Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collection of 
information.

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

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 reinstatements 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 June 30, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
      Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey AVE, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey AVE, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Walker, Ph.D., Contracting 
Officer's Technical Representative, Office of Regulatory Analysis and 
Evaluation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New 
Jersey AVE, SE., Room W53-463, Washington, DC 20590. Dr. Walker's phone 
number is 202-366-8571 and his e-mail address is 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB 
for approval, it must 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 regulations (at 5 CFR 
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; and
    (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 
submissions of responses.
    In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks public comment on 
the following proposed collection of information:

2008 National Survey on Reported and Unreported Motor Vehicle Crashes

    Type of Request--New information collection requirement.
    OMB Clearance Number--None.
    Form Number--This collection of information uses no standard forms.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval--August 30, 2009.
    Summary of the Collection of Information--NHTSA proposes to conduct 
a National Survey on Reported and Unreported Motor Vehicle Crashes by 
telephone among a sample of 2,000 adults (age 16 and older) who were 
involved in a motor vehicle crash in the past twelve months. 
Participation by respondents would be voluntary. NHTSA's information 
needs require a telephone survey on a national probability sample of 
drivers in the United States that will allow national estimates of the 
annualized incidence and severity of unreported crashes in the United 
States to be made. The questionnaire focuses on the extent of any 
injuries and property damage which were a result of the crash the 
respondent was involved in. Standard demographics are asked at the end 
of the interview.
    In conducting the proposed survey, the interviewers would use 
computer-assisted telephone interviewing to reduce interview length and 
minimize recording errors. A Spanish-language translation and bilingual 
interviewers would be used to minimize language barriers to 
participation. The proposed survey would be anonymous and confidential.
    Description of the Need for the information and Proposed Use of the 
Information--The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 
was established to reduce the mounting number of deaths, injuries and 
economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes on the Nation's 
highways. As part of this statutory mandate, NHTSA is authorized to 
conduct research as a foundation for the development of motor vehicle 
standards and traffic safety programs. In 1981, the National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published the results of a 
telephone survey: NATIONAL ACCIDENT SAMPLING SYSTEM, NONREPORTED 
ACCIDENT

[[Page 24350]]

SURVEY. Because NASS (then called the National Accident Sampling System 
and now called the National Automotive Sampling System) samples only 
police-reported crashes, non-reported crashes are missed. Many of these 
are minor `vehicle-damage-only' crashes that do not involve deaths or 
injuries. However, even these crashes add to the total cost of traffic 
crashes, not only in expensive vehicle repairs but also in damage to 
public and private roadside structures. In addition, even injury 
crashes may go unreported if police or emergency personnel are not 
aware of them. Occupants may self-medicate or go to their personal 
physician if the injuries are not life threatening. The costs of these 
treatments and accompanying absenteeism need to be added to the total 
cost of traffic crashes.
    Any crash may go unreported if drivers are not aware of the 
reporting requirement or if they fear various consequences. Such 
consequences include increased insurance rates, prosecution for illegal 
acts during the crash (driving while intoxicated, driving without a 
license, et cetera) or for long-standing illegalities (outstanding 
warrants, illegal alien status). Individuals may avoid reporting 
crashes for other reasons, including not wanting to be bothered by the 
paperwork.
    During the past 25 years, cars have become safer (at the expense to 
the vehicle) suggesting that the percentage of damage-only, unreported 
crashes has also increased. Also, the recent 100-Car Naturalistic 
Driving Study suggests that the ratio may be much higher. They found 15 
reported crashes and 67 unreported crashes, a ratio of more than four 
to one. The ratio in the original telephone study was one to one.
    NHTSA is seeking to improve the accuracy of its estimates of the 
total costs of motor vehicle crashes in the US. Accurate total crash 
cost data is necessary for NHTSA to determine the extent to which 
proposed regulations are cost effective. Congress also needs better 
data on the costs of crashes when it considers legislative remedies. 
The general public will also benefit from having better understanding 
of the full cost of crashes, as such information can be helpful when 
deciding whether to support initiatives such as Graduated Licensing or 
rules for improving crashworthiness.
    Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number, 
and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information)--
Under this proposed effort, the Contractor would conduct telephone 
interviews averaging approximately 15 minutes in length with 2,000 
randomly selected members of the general public age 16 and older in 
telephone households who had been involved in a crash in the past 
twelve months. The respondent sample would be selected from all 50 
States and the District of Columbia. Interviews would be conducted with 
persons at residential phone numbers selected through random digit 
dialing. Businesses are ineligible for the sample and would not be 
interviewed. No more than one respondent would be selected per 
household. Each member of the sample would complete one interview.
    Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden 
Resulting From the Collection of Information--NHTSA estimates that 10% 
of the general population has been involved in a motor vehicle crash in 
the past year. In order to achieve a sample size of 2,000, a total of 
20,000 individuals must be contacted and screened. The 18,000 
individuals who are contacted, but have not been involved in a motor 
vehicle crash in the past twelve months, would require an average of 3 
minutes to complete the screener questionnaire for a total of 900 
hours. Each respondent in the final survey sample of 2,000 crash 
victims would require an average of 15 minutes to complete the 
telephone interview or a total of 500 hours. Thus, the number of 
estimated reporting burden hours a year on the general public would be 
1,400 for the proposed survey (900 for the screener questionnaire, and 
500 for the full survey administration). The respondents would not 
incur any reporting cost from the information collection. The 
respondents also would not incur any recordkeeping burden or 
recordkeeping cost from the information collection.

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. Section 3506(c)(2)(A).

James Simons,
Director, Office of Regulatory Analysis and Evaluation.BILLING CODE 
4910-59-P
 [FR Doc. E8-9648 Filed 5-1-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P