[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 87 (Thursday, May 6, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25033-25034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-10625]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[U.S. DOT Docket No. NHTSA-2010-0049]


Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

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

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

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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 July 6, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to U.S. Department of 
Transportation Dockets, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 
20590. Docket No. NHTSA-2010-0049

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Maria Vegega, Chief, Behavioral 
Research Division, Office of Behavioral Safety Research (NTI-131), 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, 
SE., W44-302, Washington, DC 20590. Dr. Vegega's phone number is 202-
366-2668 and her 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 
submission of responses.
    In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks public comment on 
the following proposed collection of information:

Focus Group Review of Advanced Alcohol Detection Technology

    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--September 30, 2013.
    Summary of the Collection of Information--NHTSA proposes to conduct 
a total of 24 focus groups in two stages. The first set of focus groups 
(12 focus groups) will obtain information on public perceptions and 
attitudes concerning in-vehicle alcohol detection technology designed 
to prevent alcohol-impaired driving. Information from this phase of the 
project will be used to provide greater clarity to the technology under 
investigation. Then, a second set of 12 focus groups will be conducted 
to gauge driver reaction to technology prototypes, obtain input on 
alternative prototype features, and obtain guidance on strategies for 
introduction. Participation in the focus groups will be voluntary. 
Participants will be asked about current and future in-vehicle safety 
technologies for detecting alcohol.
    The focus groups will be audio taped using electronic equipment and 
augmented by handwritten notes taken during the discussions. No 
videotaping will occur. During the focus group discussion, participants 
will be identified solely by first name. Last names, telephone numbers, 
and any other personally identifiable information obtained during 
recruitment of the focus group participants will be separated from the 
collected information. Summarization and any reporting of the collected 
information will use generic categories rather than first names to 
further preserve anonymity of participants.
    Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the 
Information--The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 
(NHTSA's) mission is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce 
healthcare and other economic costs associated with motor vehicle 
crashes. In 2008, almost 12,000 people died in vehicle crashes due to 
alcohol-impaired driving. In a continuing effort to reduce the adverse 
consequences of alcohol-impaired driving, NHTSA in conjunction with the 
Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety is undertaking research and 
development to explore the feasibility of, and public policy challenges 
associated with, use of in-vehicle alcohol detection technology.

[[Page 25034]]

The agency believes that use of vehicle-based, alcohol detection 
technologies could help to significantly reduce the number of alcohol-
impaired driving crashes, deaths and injuries by preventing drivers 
from driving while impaired by alcohol.
    As technology development progresses and decisions are being made 
about how to integrate such devices into the vehicle, NHTSA needs a 
better understanding of public preferences with respect to in-vehicle 
alcohol detection devices. Optimization of technology will depend on 
the extent to which public attitudes are taken into account during the 
development process. Thus NHTSA seeks input from drivers to:
     Gauge public perceptions of advanced in-vehicle alcohol 
detection technology;
     Guide the technology design; and
     Guide a strategy for introduction of this technology.
    NHTSA believes that focus groups with licensed drivers are the 
appropriate method for obtaining information to address the above 
topics.
    Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number, 
and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information)--
Under this proposed effort, the Contractor will conduct a total of 24 
focus groups in two stages. A set of three focus group meetings will be 
held in each of eight locations across the country; four sets of focus 
groups will occur in each phase of the research. NHTSA will select the 
locations to obtain responses in various regions of the country and to 
represent different State approaches to managing drunk driving. As 
indicated above, all participants will be licensed drivers. In each 
location, one focus group will be conducted with non-drinkers, one 
focus group will be conducted with social drinkers, and one focus group 
will be conducted with heavy episodic drinkers. The average number of 
participants will be eight per focus group, for a total of 192 focus 
group participants. Each participant will attend one focus group.
    Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Record Keeping Burden 
Resulting from the Collection of Information--NHTSA estimates that the 
duration of each focus group will be one and one-half hours, or a total 
of 288 hours for the 192 focus group participants. The participants 
will not incur any reporting cost from the information collection. The 
participants also will not incur any record keeping burden or record 
keeping cost from the information collection. They will receive a small 
stipend under standard procedures for focus groups.

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

Jeff Michael,
Associate Administrator, Research and Program Development.
[FR Doc. 2010-10625 Filed 5-5-10; 8:45 am]
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