Seat belt use: State observational surveys; uniform criteria,

[Federal Register: February 23, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 35)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 8714-8715]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr23fe99-4]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

23 CFR Part 1340

[Docket No. NHTSA-98-4280]

RIN 2127-AH46

Uniform Criteria for State Observational Surveys of Seat Belt Use

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Interim final rule; Reopening of comment period.

SUMMARY: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published an interim final rule on September 1, 1998, setting forth criteria for State seat belt use surveys to be conducted in connection with a new Federal grant program under section 1403 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, ``Safety Incentive Grants for Use of Seat Belts.'' The comment period for the rule closed on January 29, 1999. In response to interest by the States, NHTSA is reopening the comment period and extending it until March 1, 1999.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 1, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to the docket number set forth above and be submitted in writing to: Docket Management, Room PL-401, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. (Docket hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding Federal holidays.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The following persons at the National

[[Page 8715]]

Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590: For program issues, Joan Catherine Tetrault, State and Community Services, NSC-01, (202) 366-2674; For legal issues, John Donaldson, Office of the Chief Counsel, NCC-30, (202) 366-1834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 1403 of the recently enacted Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (Pub. L. 105-178) added a new Section 157 to Title 23 of the United States Code (replacing a predecessor Section 157). The new section authorizes a State seat belt incentive grant program covering fiscal years 1999 through 2003. Under this program, the Secretary of Transportation is directed to allocate funds to the States (beginning in fiscal year 1999) based on their seat belt use rates.

On September 1, 1998, NHTSA published an interim final rule, the Uniform Criteria for State Observational Surveys of Seat Belt Use (23 CFR part 1340; 63 FR 46389), providing guidance to the States on the seat belt use rate information that must be submitted under the new program. The closing date for receipt of comments under that notice was January 29, 1999. On January 28, 1999, during a meeting with the States to discuss a variety of issues related to implementation of NHTSA grant programs, a number of States raised issues or concerns related to this new grant program. In view of the issues and concerns raised, NHTSA has placed a summary of the discussions that took place at this meeting in the docket for this rulemaking action, and concluded that it is in the agency's best interest to allow additional time for comment. Accordingly, the agency is reopening the comment period until March 1, 1999. It is not necessary for commenters to resubmit views that have already been expressed in previous comments.

Authority: 23 U.S.C. 157; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.

Issued on: February 17, 1999. Ricardo Martinez, Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

[FR Doc. 99-4332Filed2-22-99; 8:45 am]

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