Request for Emergency Processing of Currently Approved Information Collection; Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulations, Driver's Record of Duty Status

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[FHWA Docket No. 98-3763]

Request for Emergency Processing of Currently Approved

Information Collection; Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulations,

Driver's Record of Duty Status

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (P.L.

104-13,44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), the FHWA is submitting a request to the

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for emergency processing

clearance of a currently approved information collection. OMB

clearance, for a six-month period, is being requested by May 31, 1998,

when the current information collection is due to expire. The FHWA

published its intent to request a three-year renewal to continue the

current information collection in the Federal Register dated March 11,

1998, at 63 FR 11948. Comments to that notice are due on or before May

11, 1998. In addition, the FHWA published a Notice of proposed

rulemaking (NPRM) relating to this information collection in the

Federal Register dated April 20, 1998, at 63 FR 19457. This NPRM

proposes to amend the FHWA regulations affecting the hours-of-service

recordkeeping requirements. Comments to the NPRM are due on or before

June 19, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of the information collection

clearance request may be obtained by contacting the DOT, FHWA

Information Collection Liaison, Mr. Earl Coles, Office of Information

and Management Services, Federal Highway Administration, 400 Seventh

Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001, (202)366-9084. Office hours are

from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Driver's Record of Duty Status.

OMB Number: 2125-0016.

Background: Motor carriers operating in interstate commerce are

required to limit their drivers' hours of service. 49 CFR Section 395.8

requires that the drivers record their hours of service to assure

compliance with the maximum driving and on-duty time limitations set

forth in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The

record of duty status (RDS) is the primary regulatory tool used by

Federal and State enforcement personnel and motor carriers to determine

compliance with the maximum time limitations prescribed in the FMCSRs.

Compliance with the hours of service requirement is a factor in

determining a motor carrier's overall safety compliance rating. It is a

valuable instrument to both government and industry to help ensure the

safety of the general public by reducing the number of fatigued drivers

on highways. This information collection is necessary for the FHWA to

continue to determine compliance with the regulations.

Respondents: Motor carriers and drivers.

Number of Respondents: 3,300,000.

Frequency: Daily.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 14,799,033.

Authority: 49 U.S.C 31136, 31141 and 31502 and 49 CFR 1.48.

Issued on: May 5, 1998.

Frederick G. Wright,

Acting Associate Administrator for Administration.

[FR Doc. 98-12637 Filed 5-12-98; 8:45 am]

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