Fatality Analysis Reporting System Information Collection

Terry T. Shelton
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
June 25, 2013

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 122 (Tuesday, June 25, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 38096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15043]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[U.S. DOT Docket Number NHTSA-2012-0168]


Fatality Analysis Reporting System Information Collection

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 August 26, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Comments must refer to the docket notice numbers cited at 
the beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Management, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 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: Marietta Bowen, State Data Reporting 
Systems Division (NVS-412), Room W53-306, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590. Mrs. Bowen can also be reached via email at 
marietta.bowen@dot.gov or via phone at 202-366-4257. 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: Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
    OMB Control Number: 2127-0006.
    Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Abstract: Under both the Highway Safety Act of 1966 and the 
National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, the National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has the responsibility to 
collect accident data that support the establishment and enforcement of 
motor vehicle regulations and highway safety programs. These 
regulations and programs are developed to reduce the severity of injury 
and the property damage associated with motor vehicle accidents. The 
Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) is a major system that 
acquires national fatality information directly from existing State 
files and documents. Since FARS is an on-going data acquisition system, 
reviews are conducted yearly to determine whether the data acquired are 
responsive to the total user population needs. The total user 
population includes Federal and State agencies and the private sector. 
Annual changes in the forms are minor in terms of operation and method 
of data acquisition, and do not affect the reporting burden of the 
respondent (State employees utilize existing State accident files). The 
changes usually involve clarification adjustments to aid statisticians 
in conducting more precise analyses and to remove potential ambiguity 
for the respondents.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 98,655 hours.
    Number of Respondents: 52.
    Comments are invited on: 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; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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.

Terry T. Shelton,
Associate Administrator for National Center for Statistics and 
Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2013-15043 Filed 6-24-13; 8:45 am]
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