Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Renewals; Vision, 40363-40364 [E7-14289]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 141 / Tuesday, July 24, 2007 / Notices retention in the driver’s qualification file and retain a copy of the certification on his/her person while driving for presentation to a duly authorized Federal, State, or local enforcement official. Each exemption will be valid for two years unless rescinded earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be rescinded if: (1) The person fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained before it was granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315. Basis for Renewing Exemptions Under 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(1), an exemption may be granted for no longer than two years from its approval date and may be renewed upon application for additional two year periods. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each of the 23 applicants has satisfied the entry conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision requirements (63 FR 66226; 64 FR 16517; 66 FR 41656; 68 FR 44837; 70 FR 41811; 65 FR 66286; 66 FR 13825; 68 FR 13360; 70 FR 12265; 66 FR 33990; 66 FR 17743; 68 FR 35772; 66 FR 30502; 66 FR 41654; 67 FR 68719; 68 FR 2629; 70 FR 7545; 67 FR 76439; 68 FR 10298; 70 FR 2701; 70 FR 16887; 70 FR 17504; 70 FR 30997). Each of these 23 applicants has requested renewal of the exemption and has submitted evidence showing that the vision in the better eye continues to meet the standard specified at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) and that the vision impairment is stable. In addition, a review of each record of safety while driving with the respective vision deficiencies over the past two years indicates each applicant continues to meet the vision exemption standards. These factors provide an adequate basis for predicting each driver’s ability to continue to drive safely in interstate commerce. Therefore, FMCSA concludes that extending the exemption for each renewal applicant for a period of two years is likely to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing without the exemption. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Request for Comments FMCSA will review comments received at any time concerning a particular driver’s safety record and determine if the continuation of the exemption is consistent with the requirements at 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315. However, FMCSA requests that interested parties with specific data concerning the safety records of these VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:50 Jul 23, 2007 Jkt 211001 drivers submit comments by August 23, 2007. FMCSA believes that the requirements for a renewal of an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 can be satisfied by initially granting the renewal and then requesting and evaluating, if needed, subsequent comments submitted by interested parties. As indicated above, the Agency previously published notices of final disposition announcing its decision to exempt these 23 individuals from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). The final decision to grant an exemption to each of these individuals was based on the merits of each case and only after careful consideration of the comments received to its notices of applications. The notices of applications stated in detail the qualifications, experience, and medical condition of each applicant for an exemption from the vision requirements. That information is available by consulting the above cited Federal Register publications. Interested parties or organizations possessing information that would otherwise show that any, or all of these drivers, are not currently achieving the statutory level of safety should immediately notify FMCSA. The Agency will evaluate any adverse evidence submitted and, if safety is being compromised or if continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA will take immediate steps to revoke the exemption of a driver. Issued on: July 18, 2007 Pamela M. Pelcovits, Acting Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development. [FR Doc. E7–14286 Filed 7–23–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P [Docket Nos. FMCSA–00–7165, FMCSA–00– 7918, FMCSA–00–8398, 02–12423, FMCSA– 02–13411, FMCSA–02–12844, FMCSA–03– 14223, FMCSA–03–14504, FMCSA–04– 19477, 04–17984, FMCSA–05–20027, FMCSA–05–20560] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Renewals; Vision Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of final disposition. AGENCY: SUMMARY: FMCSA previously announced its decision to renew the Fmt 4703 Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Chief, Physical Qualifications Division, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W64– 224, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Electronic Access You may see all the comments online through the Document Management System (DMS) at https://dmses.dot.gov. Background Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption for a 2year period if it finds ‘‘such exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.’’ The statute also allows the Agency to renew exemptions at the end of the 2-year period. The Notices were published on May 16 and May 18, 2007. The comment periods ended on June 15 and June 17, 2007. Sfmt 4703 FMCSA received no comments in these proceedings. Conclusion Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Frm 00094 exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 48 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has reviewed the comments submitted in response to the previous announcement and concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that will be equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. Discussion of Comments DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PO 00000 40363 The Agency has not received any adverse evidence on any of these drivers that indicates that safety is being compromised. Based upon its evaluation of the 48 renewal applications, FMCSA renews the Federal vision exemptions for Edmund J. Barron, William E. Beckley, Michael C. Boyne, Eddie M. Brown, Clifford D. Carpenter, Charles C. Chapman, Jeffery W. Cotner, Timothy H. DuBois, James M. Eads, John K. Frank, Bobby G. Fletcher, Lonny L. Ford, Larry G. Garcia, Alf M. Gronstedt, Dennis K. Harris, Raymond G. Hayden, Robert E. Hendrick, Donald E. Howell, Tommy T. E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1 40364 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 141 / Tuesday, July 24, 2007 / Notices Hudson, William D. Johnson, Edward J. Kasper, Jimme D. Kline, James A. Kneece, Joe S. Lassiter, III, Spencer E. Leonard, Gene A. Lesher, Jr., Wallace F. Mahan, Sr., Phillip L. Mangen, Tommy R. Masterson, Velmer L. McClelland, Clarence M. Miles, Anthony R. Miles, Steven M. Montalbo, Raymond E. Morelock, Kenneth L. Nau, David W. Peterson, Frederick G. Robbins, Charles J. Rowsey, Vincent Rubino, Jose C. Sanchez-Sanchez, Francis L. Savell, Randy G. Spilman, David M. Stout, Wyatt W. Thayer, Jr., Thomas S. Thompson, Daniel R. Viscaya, Robert A. Wagner, Daniel E. Watkins. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each renewal exemption will be valid for 2 years unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be revoked if: (1) The person fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained before it was granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136 and 31315. Issued on: July 18, 2007. Pamela M. Pelcovits, Acting Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development. [FR Doc. E7–14289 Filed 7–23–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket Nos. FMCSA–98–4334, FMCSA–00– 7006, FMCSA–00–7363, FMCSA–00–7918, FMCSA–00–8398, FMCSA–01–8398, FMCSA–02–12844, FMCSA–02–13411, FMCSA–04–17984, FMCSA–05–20027] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Renewals; Vision Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of final disposition. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: FMCSA previously announced its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 46 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has reviewed the comments submitted in response to the previous announcement and concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that will be equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these 17:50 Jul 23, 2007 Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Chief, Physical Qualifications Division, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W64– 224, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Electronic Access You may see all the comments online through the Document Management System (DMS) at https://dmses.dot.gov. Background Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption for a 2year period if it finds ‘‘such exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.’’ The statute also allows the Agency to renew exemptions at the end of the 2-year period. The Notices were published on March 13 and March 16, 2007. The comment periods ended on April 12, and April 22, 2007. Discussion of Comments DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VerDate Aug<31>2005 commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. Jkt 211001 FMCSA received two comments in these proceedings. The comments were considered and discussed below. Ms. Sachau believes that the approval or renewal of vision exemptions does not take into account the issue of safety on the road and granting exemptions only makes the roads much more dangerous. A review of each record for safety while driving with the respective vision deficiencies over the past two years indicates each applicant continues to meet the vision exemption standards. To evaluate the effect of these exemptions on safety, FMCSA considered not only the medical reports about the applicants’ vision, but also their driving records and experience with the vision deficiency. To qualify for an exemption from the vision standard, FMCSA requires a person to present verifiable evidence that he or she has driven a commercial vehicle safely with the vision deficiency for 3 years. Recent driving performance is especially important in evaluating future safety, according to several research studies designed to correlate past and future driving performance. Results of these studies support the principle that the best predictor of future performance by a driver is his/her PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 past record of crashes and traffic violations. Copies of the studies may be found at docket number FMCSA–98– 3637. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) expressed opposition to FMCSA’s policy to grant exemptions from the FMCSR, including the driver qualification standards. Specifically, Advocates: (1) Objects to the manner in which FMCSA presents driver information to the public and makes safety determinations; (2) objects to the Agency’s reliance on conclusions drawn from the vision waiver program; (3) claims the Agency has misinterpreted statutory language on the granting of exemptions (49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315); and finally (4) suggests that a 1999 Supreme Court decision affects the legal validity of vision exemptions. The issues raised by Advocates were addressed at length in 64 FR 51568 (September 23, 1999), 64 FR 66962 (November 30, 1999), 64 FR 69586 (December 13, 1999), 65 FR 159 (January 3, 2000), 65 FR 57230 (September 21, 2000), and 66 FR 13825 (March 7, 2001). We will not address these points again here, but refer interested parties to those earlier discussions. Conclusion The Agency has not received any adverse evidence on any of these drivers that indicates that safety is being compromised. Based upon its evaluation of the 46 renewal applications, FMCSA renews the Federal vision exemptions for Carl W. Adams, David W. Ball, Joseph M. Blankenship, Mark L. Braun, David F. Breuer, Willie Burnett, Jr., Richard D. Carlson, Wilford F. Christian, David J. Collier, Robert P. Conrad, Sr., Richard S. Cummings, Joseph D. Dean, Donald P. Dodson, Jr., Donald K. Driscoll, Jerald O. Edwards, Elias Gomez, Jr., William G. Holland, Bruce G. Horner, Daniel L. Jacobs, Jimmy C. Killian, Stephanie D. Klang, Mark J. Koscinski, Jose M. Limon-Alvarado, Eugene R. Lydick, Thomas F. Marczewski, Roy E. Mathews, James T. McGraw, Jr., Carl A. Michel, Sr., John W. Montgomery, Robert A. Moss, Dexter L. Myhre, Henry C. Patton, Bobby G. Pool, Sr., Zeljko Popovac, George D. Schell, Richie J. Schwendy, David A. Stafford, Scottie Steward, James A. Stoudt, Artis Suitt, Clarence L. Swann, Jr., Thaddeus E. Temoney, Ralph A. Thompson, Kerry W. VanStory, Harry C. Weber, and Yu Weng. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each renewal exemption will be valid for 2 years unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be revoked if: (1) The person fails to E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 24, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40363-40364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14289]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket Nos. FMCSA-00-7165, FMCSA-00-7918, FMCSA-00-8398, 02-12423, 
FMCSA-02-13411, FMCSA-02-12844, FMCSA-03-14223, FMCSA-03-14504, FMCSA-
04-19477, 04-17984, FMCSA-05-20027, FMCSA-05-20560]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Renewals; Vision

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: FMCSA previously announced its decision to renew the 
exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Regulations for 48 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to 
exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions 
granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has reviewed the 
comments submitted in response to the previous announcement and 
concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety 
that will be equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety 
maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle 
(CMV) drivers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Chief, Physical 
Qualifications Division, (202) 366-4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W64-
224, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    You may see all the comments online through the Document Management 
System (DMS) at https://dmses.dot.gov.

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption 
for a 2-year period if it finds ``such exemption would likely achieve a 
level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that 
would be achieved absent such exemption.'' The statute also allows the 
Agency to renew exemptions at the end of the 2-year period. The Notices 
were published on May 16 and May 18, 2007. The comment periods ended on 
June 15 and June 17, 2007.

Discussion of Comments

    FMCSA received no comments in these proceedings.

Conclusion

    The Agency has not received any adverse evidence on any of these 
drivers that indicates that safety is being compromised. Based upon its 
evaluation of the 48 renewal applications, FMCSA renews the Federal 
vision exemptions for Edmund J. Barron, William E. Beckley, Michael C. 
Boyne, Eddie M. Brown, Clifford D. Carpenter, Charles C. Chapman, 
Jeffery W. Cotner, Timothy H. DuBois, James M. Eads, John K. Frank, 
Bobby G. Fletcher, Lonny L. Ford, Larry G. Garcia, Alf M. Gronstedt, 
Dennis K. Harris, Raymond G. Hayden, Robert E. Hendrick, Donald E. 
Howell, Tommy T.

[[Page 40364]]

Hudson, William D. Johnson, Edward J. Kasper, Jimme D. Kline, James A. 
Kneece, Joe S. Lassiter, III, Spencer E. Leonard, Gene A. Lesher, Jr., 
Wallace F. Mahan, Sr., Phillip L. Mangen, Tommy R. Masterson, Velmer L. 
McClelland, Clarence M. Miles, Anthony R. Miles, Steven M. Montalbo, 
Raymond E. Morelock, Kenneth L. Nau, David W. Peterson, Frederick G. 
Robbins, Charles J. Rowsey, Vincent Rubino, Jose C. Sanchez-Sanchez, 
Francis L. Savell, Randy G. Spilman, David M. Stout, Wyatt W. Thayer, 
Jr., Thomas S. Thompson, Daniel R. Viscaya, Robert A. Wagner, Daniel E. 
Watkins.
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each renewal 
exemption will be valid for 2 years unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. 
The exemption will be revoked if: (1) The person fails to comply with 
the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has 
resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained before it was 
granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent 
with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136 and 31315.

    Issued on: July 18, 2007.
Pamela M. Pelcovits,
 Acting Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E7-14289 Filed 7-23-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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