On August 21, 2026, the NHTSA published an Agency Information Collection Activities Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and for Approval, and a Request for Public Comment in the Federal Register (F.R. Vol. 91 No. 161; Docket No. NHTSA-2025-005) regarding Distraction by Personal Electronic Devices. This research consists of two parts. Part I consists of an evaluation method called an ‘occlusion study’. Up to 56 participants will perform 6-9 standardised tasks while wearing special electronic goggles. Part II consists of a Closed Course Track (CCT) evaluation with 72 participants. This part will examine a subset of the tasks from Part I in actual driving conditions on a 0.84mi stretch on a Closed Course.
A Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting public comments on the information collection was published on March 6, 2026. After thoughtful consideration of all the comments received, NHTSA will ensure that appropriate discussion of findings relevant to the broad nature of distraction and to self-pacing of task performance are included in the final report.
The deadline for submitting comments on this Review, Approval and Request for Comment was September 21, 2026.