
[Federal Register: February 24, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 36)]
[Notices]               
[Page 8426-8427]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24fe10-162]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[U.S. DOT Docket No. NHTSA-2009-0192]

 
Reports, Forms, and Record Keeping 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 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), 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 a generic Information Collection Request 
(ICR) for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 26, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation Dockets, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., W46-474, Washington, 
DC 20590. Docket No. NHTSA-2009-0192.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Roberts, PhD, Contracting 
Officer's Technical Representative, Office of Behavioral Safety 
Research (NTI-132), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., W46-495, Washington, DC 20590. Dr. Roberts' 
phone number is 202-366-5594 and his e-mail address is 
Scott.Roberts@dot.gov.

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;

[[Page 8427]]

    (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:
    Title: Focus Groups for Traffic Safety Programs, Interventions and 
Countermeasures.
    Type of Request: New generic information collection request.
    OMB Clearance Number: N/A.
    Form Number: This collection of information uses no standard forms.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2013.
    Summary of the Collection of Information: The National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) anticipates the needs to 
periodically conduct focus group sessions to refine its efforts to 
reduce traffic injuries and fatalities. Session participation would be 
voluntary and compensated with a $75 honorarium. Focus group topics 
will include: strategic messaging (e.g., slogans or advertisement 
concepts concerning seat belt use, impaired driving, driver distraction 
or tire pressure monitoring), problem identification (e.g., discussions 
with high-risk groups on beliefs, attitudes, driving behaviors, or 
reactions to interventions and countermeasures), and resource 
development (e.g., testing materials designed to communicate essential 
information about traffic safety issues such as vehicle or equipment 
performance rating systems). The purpose of the generic clearance 
request is to obtain approval for NHTSA's general approach to 
conducting focus group research. NHTSA will submit an individual 
Information Collection Request (ICR), detailing the specific nature and 
methodology of planned focus group sessions, to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) prior to any collection activity covered 
under this generic clearance.
    Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the 
Information--The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 
was established by the Highway Safety Act of l970 (23 U.S. C. 101) to 
carry out a Congressional mandate to reduce the mounting number of 
deaths, injuries, and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle 
crashes on the Nation's highways. In support of this mission, NHTSA 
anticipates the occasional need to conduct focus group sessions in 
order to develop and refine effective interventions and 
countermeasures.
    NHTSA will use the findings from focus group sessions to help focus 
current programs, interventions and countermeasures in order to achieve 
the greatest benefit in decreasing crashes and resulting injuries and 
fatalities, and provide informational support to States, localities, 
and law enforcement agencies that will aid them in their efforts to 
reduce traffic crashes.
    Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number, 
and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information)--
Each year NHTSA anticipates conducting 100 focus groups sessions. 
Likely respondents are licensed drivers 18 years of age and older who 
have not participated in a previous focus group session.
    Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Record Keeping Burden 
Resulting from the Collection of Information--Each of the 100 focus 
group sessions will consist of 10 participants on average and last 
approximately 80 minutes. Participants will be recruited by intercept 
or telephone using a brief screening questionnaire estimated to take no 
more than 10 minutes. Therefore, the estimated annual burden is 1500 
hours. The respondents would not incur any reporting cost from the 
information collection. The respondents also would not incur any record 
keeping burden or record keeping cost from the information collection.

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

    Issued on: February 19, 2010.
Jeff Michael,
Associate Administrator, Research and Program Development.
[FR Doc. 2010-3656 Filed 2-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P

