Notice2021-21040
Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for Comment; Fatal Crash Seat Belt Use Reporting and Awareness
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Published
September 28, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Abstract
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) invites public comments about our intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a new information collection. Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from 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 a collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval on Fatal Crash Seat Belt Use Reporting and Awareness.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 185 (Tuesday, September 28, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 28, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53727-53729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21040]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-2021-0012]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for
Comment; Fatal Crash Seat Belt Use Reporting and Awareness
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice and request for comments on a request for approval of a
new information collection.
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SUMMARY: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
invites public comments about our intention to request approval from
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a new information
collection. Before a Federal agency can collect certain information
from the public, it must receive approval from 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 a collection
of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval on Fatal
Crash Seat Belt Use Reporting and Awareness.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 29, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Docket No. NHTSA-
2021-0012 using any of the following methods:
<bullet> Electronic submissions: Go to the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the online instructions
for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management, U.S. Department
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12-
140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except on Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to help
you, please call (202) 366-9322 before coming.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and
docket number for this notice. Note that all comments received will be
posted without change to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any
personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading
below.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/privacy">https://www.transportation.gov/privacy</a>.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> or the street
address listed above. Follow the online instructions for accessing the
dockets via internet.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or access
to background documents, contact Jordan A. Blenner, JD, Ph.D., Office
of Behavioral Safety Research (NPD-320), (202) 366-9982, National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, W46-470, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), 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 regulation (at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must
ask for public comment on the following: (a) 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; (b) 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; (c) how to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
and (d) 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 collection of
information for which the agency is seeking approval from OMB.
Title: Fatal Crash Seat Belt Use Reporting and Awareness.
OMB Control Number: New.
Form Numbers: NHTSA Forms 1599, 1600, 1601, and 1604.
Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection.
Type of Review Requested: Regular.
Requested Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from date of
approval.
Summary of the Collection of Information: The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of
Transportation is seeking approval to collect information from 1,500
participants from two seat belt user groups, 750 who are full-time and
750 who are occasional or non-users, for a one-time voluntary
experiment to understand whether the inclusion of seat belt status in a
fatal crash news report could affect seat belt use. NHTSA
[[Page 53728]]
will contact a sample of 20,850 potential participants from a marketing
research firm's panel with an invitation email and screening questions
to identify adult volunteers who regularly drive a passenger vehicle.
Recruiting participants for the experiment has an estimated burden of
348 hours for the invitation email and 70 hours for the screening
questions. (An estimated 20% of the invited potential participants will
be interested in participating in the study and will complete the
screener form, i.e., 4,170 potential participants.) An estimated 1,668
potential participants will read the consent form with an estimated
burden of 139 hours. The 1,500 participants will complete the
experiment with an estimated burden of 500 hours. The experiment
involves a 40-question online survey that participants will complete in
their own homes using their personal computers. Participants will read
one of three fictitious news reports of crashes (some of which involve
fatalities) to gauge whether including seat belt use in news reports
has the potential to increase belt use by occasional and non-seat belt
users. After reading the news report, participants will report their
recollection of belt use in the news report they read, self-reported
seat belt use, intentions to use belts, attitudes about seat belts, and
demographic information. The total estimated burden associated with
reporting is 1,057 hours. The collection does not involve recordkeeping
or disclosure. An approved Institutional Review Board (IRB), Advarra,
has reviewed the study and determined that the research project is
exempt from IRB oversight. NHTSA will summarize the results of the
collection using aggregate statistics in a final report to be
distributed to NHTSA program and regional offices, State Highway Safety
Offices, and other traffic safety stakeholders. This collection will
inform the development of countermeasures, particularly in the areas of
communications and outreach, for increasing seat belt use and reducing
fatalities and injuries associated with the lack of seat belt use.
Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the
Information: NHTSA was established to reduce 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 for the development of traffic safety programs. Title
23, United States Code, Section 403 gives the Secretary of
Transportation (NHTSA by delegation) authorization to use funds
appropriated to conduct research and development activities, including
demonstration projects and the collection and analysis of highway and
motor vehicle safety data and related information, with respect to all
aspects of highway and traffic safety systems and conditions relating
to vehicle, highway, driver, passenger, motorcyclist, bicyclist, and
pedestrian characteristics; accident causation and investigations; and
human behavioral factors and their effect on highway and traffic
safety.
In 2018, 22,697 occupants of passenger vehicles (passenger cars,
pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs) died in motor vehicle crashes in the
United States. Of those killed where restraint status was known, 47%
were unrestrained at the time of the fatal crash. NHTSA estimates that
seat belts saved the lives of 14,955 passenger vehicle occupants age 5
and older in 2017 (latest data available), and, if all passenger
vehicle occupants age 5 and older had worn seat belts, an additional
2,549 lives could have been saved.\1\
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\1\ National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2020).
Occupant protection in passenger vehicles: 2018 data (Traffic Safety
Facts. Report No. DOT HS 812 967). National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration. <a href="https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812967">https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812967</a>.
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This project supports NHTSA's efforts to increase occupant
protection by examining factors related to seat belt use. Previous
research in this area indicated that news organizations may not report
seat belt use in many of the driving fatalities they cover.\2\ That
said, the research conducted previously involved data from 1999 through
2002, which may be out of date with current practices. Many
stakeholders assume that increased reporting of seat belt usage in
fatal crashes, especially when seat belts were not worn, could increase
seat belt use. In addition, when seat belt status has been reported in
a news report, it is not clear individuals are paying attention.
Improving awareness of seat belt status, particularly involving
unbelted fatalities, may be an effective countermeasure that may
encourage individuals to wear seat belts.
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\2\ Connor, S.M., & Wesolowski, K. (2004). Newspaper framing of
fatal motor vehicle crashes in four Midwestern cities in the United
States, 1999-2000. Inj Prev. 10(3), 149-153. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ip.2003.003376">http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ip.2003.003376</a>. Rosales, M., & Stallones, L. (2008).
Coverage of motor vehicle crashes with injuries in U.S. newspapers,
1999-2002. Journal of Safety Research, 39(5), 477-82. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2008.08.001">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2008.08.001</a>.
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The information from this collection will assist NHTSA in (a)
planning seat belt program activities; (b) supporting groups involved
in improving public safety; and (c) identifying countermeasure
strategies that are most acceptable and effective in increasing seat
belt use.
Affected Public: Participants will be U.S. adults (18 years and
older, except for those from Nebraska or Alabama (who will need to be
19 years or older), or those from Mississippi (who will need to be 21
years or older)) with fluency in reading and writing in English, who
have driven a passenger vehicle (car, van, SUV, or pickup truck) at
least once in the past month, and whose main form of transportation is
a passenger vehicle.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,850 total respondents, with
1,500 participating in the full experiment.
The experiment will invite up to 20,850 people to participate. The
number of invitations is based on the need to recruit 1,500
participants, 750 of whom are either non- or part-time seat belt users.
Based on corporate experience with online panels, the marketing
research firm providing access to their panel of participants estimates
a participation rate of 20%. Furthermore, NHTSA research has shown that
while most drivers reported wearing their seat belts every time they
drive, approximately 20% are either non-users or part-time users.\3\
Finally, NHTSA estimates that 90% who qualify and read the consent form
will provide consent and complete the study. To obtain a sample of 750
consenting participants in the non/part user group, requires a universe
of 20,850 potential respondents. Of the 20,850 invited panelists, we
expect 20% or 4,170 volunteers who are interested and qualify. Of the
4,170 who are interested, we expect 20% or 834 volunteers will be non-
or part-time seat belt users. Of the 834 volunteers who are non- or
part-time seat belt users, we expect 90% or 750 to consent and complete
the study. The marketing research firm will provide a link to the
consent form to the first 834 non- or part-time seat belt users and to
the first 834 full-time seat belt users who are interested and qualify.
(Once the firm reaches 750 completions from full-time users, which is
expected to occur before the 750 completions from non- or part-time
users, they will no longer provide links to the informed consent to
qualified full-time users.)
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\3\ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2019,
December). The 2016 motor vehicle occupant safety survey: Seat belt
report (Report No. DOT HS 812 798). Author. <a href="https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/43608">https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/43608</a>.
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Frequency: This study is a one-time information collection, and
there will be no recurrence.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: The total estimated burden
associated with this collection is 1,057
[[Page 53729]]
hours. The sample of potential participants will receive an email
invitation from Schlesinger Group, a marketing research firm that
specializes in providing sampling pools of panelists, with screening
questions to determine eligibility. The 20,850 potential participants
are expected to spend 1 minute each in reading the invitation email for
an estimated 348 hours. Those who are interested (estimated to be 20%,
or 4,170 individuals) are expected to spend 1 minute each in completing
the screener form for an estimated 70 hours. Schlesinger will provide
electronic links to the consent form to the first 834 full-time seat
belt users and to the first 834 part-time/non-users who qualify based
on the screening questions. The 1,668 eligible participants are
expected to spend 5 minutes each reading and completing the consent
form for an estimated 139 hours. The estimated 1,500 consenting
participants will each spend 20 minutes completing the experiment for
an estimated 500 hours. The total burden is the sum of the burden
across the invitation/screening, consenting, and completing the
experiment for a total estimate of 1,057 hours. The details are
presented in Table 1 below.
Table 1--Estimated Burden Hours by Form
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Total
Estimated estimated
Form Description Participants minutes per burden hours
participant per form
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Form 1599............................. Invitation Email........ 20,850 1 348
Form 1604............................. Screener Form........... 4,170 1 70
Form 1600............................. Informed Consent Form... 1,668 5 139
Form 1601............................. Experiment Form......... 1,500 20 500
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Total............................. ........................ .............. .............. 1,057
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Estimated Total Annual Burden Cost: NHTSA estimates that there are
no costs to respondents beyond the time spent participating in the
study.
Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspects of
this information collection, including (a) whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the Department, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Department's estimate
of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of
information on respondents, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. chapter
35, as amended; 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order 1351.29.
Issued in Washington, DC.
Nanda Narayanan Srinivasan,
Associate Administrator, Research and Program Development.
[FR Doc. 2021-21040 Filed 9-27-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
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