Reports, Forms, and Record Keeping Requirements

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[U.S. DOT Docket Number NHTSA-98-3724]

Reports, Forms, and Record Keeping Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),

Department of Transportation.

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 reinstatement 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 June 15, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments must refer to the docket notice numbers cited at

the beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Management,

Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590. Please

identify the proposed collection of information for which a comment is

provided, by referencing its OMB clearance Number. It is requested, but

not required, that 2 copies of the comment be provided. The Docket

Section is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Complete copies of each request for

collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Mr. Michael

Robinson, NHTSA Information Collection Clearance Officer, 400 Seventh

Street, S.W., Room 6123, NAD-40, Washington, D.C. 20590. Mr. Robinson's

telephone number is (202) 366-9456. Please identify the relevant

collection of information by referring to its OMB Control Number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,

before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB

for approval, it must first 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:

(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;

(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 for public

comments on the following proposed collections of information:

(1) Title: 23 CFR Parts 1200, 1204 and 1205 Uniform Safety Program

Cost Summary Form (HS 217) for Highway Safety Plan.

OMB Control Number: 2127-0003.

Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Government.

Abstract: The Highway Safety Act of 1966 (23 U.S.C. 401 et seq.)

established a formula grant program to improve highway safety in the

States. As a condition of the grant, the Act provides that the States

must meet certain requirements contained in 23 U.S.C.

[[Page 18489]]

402. Section 402(a) requires each State to have a highway safety

program, approved by the Secretary of Transportation, which is designed

to reduce traffic crashes and the deaths, injuries, and property damage

resulting from those crashes. Section 402(b) sets forth the minimum

requirements with which each State's highway safety program must

comply. A 1987 amendment to the Highway Safety Act required the

Secretary to determine, through a rulemaking process, those programs

``most effective'' in reducing crashes, injuries, and deaths, taking

into account ``consideration of the States having a major role in

establishing [such] programs.'' The Secretary was authorized to revise

the rule from time to time. In accordance with this provision, the

agencies have identified, over time, nine such programs, the ``National

Priority Program areas: (1) Alcohol and other Drug Countermeasures, (2)

Police Traffic Services, (3) Occupant Protection, (4) Traffic Records,

(5) Emergency Medical Services, (6) Motor Safety, (7) Pedestrian and

Bicycle Safety, and (8) Speed Control & (9) Roadway Safety.

Under this program, States submit the Highway Safety Program and

other documentation explaining how they intend to use the grant funds.

In order to account for funds expended under these priority areas and

other program areas, States are required to submit a Program Cost

Summary. The Program Cost Summary is completed to reflect the State's

proposed allocations of funds (including carry-forward funds) by

program area, based on the projects and activities identified in the

Highway Safety Plan. During the past several years, numerous steps have

been taken to reduce the burden of paperwork on the States. The annual

burden will remain low due to the minimum amount of documentation

required to be provided has been substantially reduced. We have

simplified this process even more by automating the Program Cost

Summary.

Estimated Annual Burden: 570.

Number of Respondents: 57.

Issued on: April 7, 1998.

Adele Derby,

Associate Administrator for State and Community Services.

[FR Doc. 98-9931 Filed 4-14-98; 8:45 am]

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