The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking approval to collect information from seriously injured drivers in crashes and matched non-crash involved drivers to examine the risk of being severely injured in a motor vehicle crash when drivers use licit and/or illicit drugs. For the current study, the three participating trauma centers will provide NHTSA with biological specimens and de-identified information (e.g., demographics, medications administered by Emergency Medical Technicians prior to arrival, crash location) from an estimated 2,350 injured drivers who are transported by emergency medical services to one of three trauma centers. The local medical examiners will provide similar de-identified biological specimens and information for an estimated 150 fatally injured drivers. Additionally, non-crash involved âcontrolâ drivers will be selected at or near the location of the crash where a study driver was seriously injured or killed. Researchers will match control drivers on crash day of the week, time of day, and direction of travel. The researchers will approach an estimated 9,000 drivers at roadside to describe the study, to ask their voluntary consent to provide a sample of their breath, a small sample of their blood, and to request completion of a voluntary survey. The survey will collect demographic information, trip information, and opinions about driving while using alcohol or drugs. NHTSA estimates that 5,000 of the 9,000 approached drivers will agree to participate by providing fluid samples and completing the survey. This collection is solely reporting, and there are no record-keeping costs to the respondents. 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 personal information. The technical report will be shared with State Highway Safety Offices and other stakeholders interested in improving highway safety.
US Code:
23 USC 403
Name of Law: Highway Safety Act
This is a new collection. This study includes informed consent and a short survey for drivers in the control group that will result in a program change of adding 1,800 hours of NHTSA overall burden hours.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.