[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 67 (Thursday, April 7, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20501-20504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07358]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2020-0073]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for 
Comment; Survey on Driver Awareness of Motorcycles

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 Driver 
Awareness of Motorcycles.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before June 6, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Docket No. NHTSA-
2020-0073 using any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Electronic submissions: Go to the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. 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 http://www.regulations.gov, 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 https://www.transportation.gov/privacy.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov 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 Kathryn Wochinger, Ph.D., Office of 
Behavioral Safety Research (NPD-310), (202) 366-4300, National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration, W46-487, 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 regulations (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 comment on the following proposed collection of 
information for which the agency is seeking approval from OMB.
    Title: Driver Awareness of Motorcycles.
    OMB Control Number: New.
    Form Numbers: NHTSA Forms 1577, 1578, 1579, 1580, 1581, 1582, 1583, 
and 1588.
    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: NHTSA is seeking approval 
to collect information from two samples of randomly selected adults who 
are aged 18 years or older and have driven a motor vehicle at least 
once in the past three months for a new one-time voluntary survey to 
report their knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of safe-driving 
behaviors towards motorcycles. One sample consists of adult drivers 
residing in Florida and the other sample consists of adult drivers 
residing in Pennsylvania. Surveys would be conducted with respondents 
using an address-based sampling design that encourages respondents to 
complete the survey online. NHTSA will contact a total of 33,460 to 
achieve a target of at least 2,486 complete voluntary responses 
consisting of 1,243 completed instruments from the Florida sample and 
1,243 completed instruments from the Pennsylvania sample. The large 
geographic and demographic sizes of Florida and Pennsylvania allow for 
complex driving environments in which motorcycles and passenger 
vehicles operate in a range of traffic conditions. Notably, neither 
State has a universal motorcycle helmet use law, but each has a sizable 
population of registered motorcycles and varied helmet use rates. For 
example, in 2019, 52 percent of motorcyclists killed in Florida and 51 
percent of motorcyclists killed in Pennsylvania were not helmeted.\1\
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    \1\ National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2021, April). 
Motorcycles: 2019 data (Traffic Safety Facts, Report No. DOT HS 813 
112). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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    The estimated burden of this collection is 3,289 hours with 2,709 
hours associated with survey invitations and reminders and 580 hours 
associated with survey completions. 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 and motorcycle safety stakeholders. 
This collection supports NHTSA's mission by obtaining information 
needed for the development of traffic safety countermeasures,

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particularly in the areas of communications and outreach, for the 
purpose of reducing fatalities, injuries, and crashes associated with 
multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes.
    Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the 
Information: NHTSA was established by the Highway Safety Act of 1970 to 
reduce deaths, injuries, and economic losses resulting from motor 
vehicle crashes on the Nation's highways. To further its mission, NHTSA 
is authorized to conduct research as a foundation 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. Motorcycle safety is a 
behavioral area for which NHTSA has developed programs to meet its 
injury reduction goals. Motorcycle safety is an increasing safety 
concern in highway transportation. For example, per vehicle miles 
traveled in 2019, motorcyclist fatalities occurred nearly 29 times more 
frequently than passenger car occupant fatalities in traffic crashes, 
and an estimated 84,000 motorcyclists were injured in 2019, which is a 
2-percent increase from 82,000 motorcyclists injured in 2018; the most 
harmful event for 55 percent of the 5,114 motorcycles involved in fatal 
crashes in 2019 was a collision with another motor vehicle; and in two-
vehicle crashes, 76 percent of the motorcycles involved in fatal 
crashes were struck in the front.\1\ Thus, strategies for improving 
motorcycle safety include addressing other motorists' perceptions and 
awareness of motorcycles.
    This collection supports NHTSA's efforts to increase motorcyclist 
safety by examining factors related to the interactions between 
motorcycles and other motorists and their vehicles. The information 
from this collection will assist NHTSA in (a) assessing the extent and 
limitations of motorist knowledge of safe behaviors toward motorcycles, 
and (b) identifying the issues to emphasize in traffic safety campaigns 
and driver education. The collected information will help identify the 
beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions underlying driving behaviors 
towards motorcycles and inform the development of countermeasures to 
improve the safety of interactions between motor vehicles, 
specifically, motorcycles, and other vehicle types (primarily passenger 
cars and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs)).
    The survey data will be used to assist NHTSA in its ongoing 
responsibilities for: (a) Planning and designing research and program 
activities to improve motorcycle safety; (b) providing support to 
groups involved in developing and implementing motorcycle safety 
outreach programs and driver safety campaigns; and (c) identifying 
areas in driver awareness and knowledge that need attention. NHTSA will 
use the information to produce a technical report that presents the 
results of the study. The technical report will provide aggregate 
(summary) statistics and tables as well as the results of statistical 
analysis of the information, but it will not include any personally 
identifiable information (PII). The project data will serve as a 
resource for NHTSA and stakeholders to identify gaps in knowledge among 
the driving public. The technical report will be shared with State 
highway offices, local governments, and those who develop traffic 
safety communications that aim to improve motorcycle safety.
    Affected Public: Participants will be U.S. adults (18 years and 
older) who reside in Florida or Pennsylvania and who have driven a 
motor vehicle (car, van, SUV, or pickup truck) at least once in the 
past three months. Businesses are ineligible for the sample and would 
not be surveyed.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,486 consisting of 1,243 in the 
Florida sample and 1,243 in the Pennsylvania sample. The project will 
invite 33,460 people to participate using address data from the most 
recent U.S. Postal Service (USPS) computerized Delivery Sequence File 
(DSF) of residential addresses. No more than one respondent will be 
selected per household.
    Frequency of Collection: The study will be conducted one time 
during the three-year period for which NHTSA is requesting approval and 
there will be no recurrence.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: NHTSA estimates the total 
burden of this information collection by estimating the burden to those 
who NHTSA contacts who respond and are eligible for participation 
(eligible respondents that take the survey) and those contacted that 
choose not to take the survey (non-responders) or are not eligible to 
participate. The estimated time to contact 33,460 potential 
participants (participants and non-responders) for the survey is one 
minute per person per contact attempt. Contact attempts will be made in 
five waves with fewer potential participants contacted in each 
subsequent wave. Potential participants will receive an initial 
postcard informing them of the project and inviting participation. The 
first contact is a postcard introducing the project and inviting 
participation. The second contact is an invitation letter with 
instructions for completing the survey online (as the methodology 
follows a ``push-to-web'' design to provide incentive to complete the 
survey online). The third contact is a reminder postcard. The fourth is 
a letter with a paper questionnaire and the fifth is a final reminder 
postcard. The sixth and final wave is a ``thank you'' letter that will 
include the contingent incentive to respondents who have provided a 
completed response. NHTSA estimates that 2,486 people will respond to 
the survey request. The estimated time to contact (1 minute) and 
complete the survey (14 minutes) is 15 minutes per person. The total 
burden estimated for this information collection is 3,289 hours. Table 
1 provides a description for each of the forms used in the survey 
protocol as well as their mailing wave. Details of the burden hours for 
each wave in the survey are included in Table 2. When rounded up to the 
nearest whole hour for each data collection effort, the total estimated 
annual burden is 3,289 hours for the project activities.

        Table 1--NHTSA Form Number, Description, and Mailing Wave
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     NHTSA form No.                Description             Mailing wave
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1577...................  Initial Postcard--serves as a                 1
                          notice of selection, explains
                          survey rationale.
1578...................  Invitation Letter--provides                   2
                          instructions and hyperlink to
                          the online survey and includes
                          the $1 non-contingent
                          incentive.
1579...................  Reminder Postcard #1--the first               3
                          reminder, includes
                          instructions and hyperlink to
                          the online survey.

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1580...................  Reminder Letter #1--the second                4
                          reminder with the paper
                          survey, prepaid return
                          envelope, PIN, and hyperlink
                          to the online survey.
1581...................  Reminder Postcard #2--last                    5
                          reminder, includes hyperlink
                          to the online survey.
1582...................  Questionnaire--the online            2, 3, 4, 5
                          version, provided on a secure
                          website.
1583...................  Questionnaire--the paper                      4
                          version, for responders not
                          using the online questionnaire.
1588...................  Thank You Letter--includes the                6
                          contingent incentive.
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    Table 2 shows the estimated burden for each contact (wave) by 
participation type (non-respondent, eligible, and ineligible). In the 
first wave, 33,460 potential respondents are expected to spend 1 minute 
each reading the postcard, resulting in an estimated burden of 558 
hours. This calculation is applied for each subsequent wave, as 
detailed in Table 2.

                                                   Table 2--Estimated Total Burden for Data Collection
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                                                                                         Estimated
                                            Number of                                   burden per     Frequency    Number of      Burden       Total
         Mailing wave (form No.)             contacts         Participant type          sample unit    of burden      sample      hours *       burden
                                                                                       (in minutes)                   units                    hours *
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Wave 1--NHTSA Form 1577..................       33,460  Contacted potential                        1            1       33,460          558          558
                                                         participant.
Wave 2--NHTSA Form 1578..................       33,460  Non-respondent..............               1            1       31,787          530          870
                                                        Ineligible respondent.......               1            1          335            6
                                                        Eligible respondent.........              15            1        1,338          334
Wave 3--NHTSA Form 1579..................       31,787  Non-respondent..............               1            1       30,833          514          708
                                                        Ineligible respondent.......               1            1          191            3
                                                        Eligible respondent.........              15            1          763          191
Wave 4--NHTSA Form 1580..................       30,833  Non-respondent..............               1            1       30,524          509          572
                                                        Ineligible respondent.......               1            1           62            1
                                                        Eligible respondent.........              15            1          247           62
Wave 5--NHTSA Form 1581..................       30,524  Non-respondent..............               1            1       30,351          506          541
                                                        Ineligible respondent.......               1            1           35            1
                                                        Eligible respondent.........              15            1          138           34
Wave 6--NHTSA Form 1588..................        2,486  Completed responders........               1            1        2,486           41           41
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    Total................................  ...........  ............................  ..............  ...........  ...........  ...........        3,289
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* Rounded up to the nearest hour.

    Table 3 provides total burden hours associated with each NHTSA 
form. For example, 2,486 anticipated responders who provide completed 
questionnaires (NHTSA Forms 1582 and 1583) are expected to spend 14 
minutes each, resulting in an estimated burden of 580 hours.

                      Table 3--Estimated Total Burden by NHTSA Form for the Data Collection
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                                                                    Burden per      Burden per
             Information collection                  Number of       response       respondent     Total burden
                                                     responses       (minutes)       (minutes)        hours *
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Questionnaire--NHTSA Forms 1582 and 1583........           2,486              14              14             580
Initial Postcard--NHTSA Form 1577...............          33,460               1               1             558
Invitation Letter--NHTSA Form 1578..............          33,460               1               1             558
Postcard Reminder--NHTSA Form 1579..............          31,787               1               1             530
Reminder Letter--NHTSA Form 1580................          30,833               1               1             514
Final Postcard Reminder--NHTSA Form 1581........          30,524               1               1             508
Thank You Letter--NHTSA Form 1588...............           2,486               1               1              41
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............  ..............           3,289
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* Rounded up to the nearest hour.

    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.


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    Issued in Washington, DC.
Nanda Narayanan Srinivasan,
Associate Administrator, Research and Program Development.
[FR Doc. 2022-07358 Filed 4-6-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P