Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus, 7625-7627 [2011-2984]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 28 / Thursday, February 10, 2011 / Notices
unloaded trailer condition. Electric brakes on
commercial trailers will not operate unless
the tow vehicle has a brake controller.
Technology developments in electronics
have allowed the development of a self
contained electric brake control device that is
mounted directly to the trailer enabling it to
monitor and actuate the brakes based on
inertial forces developed in response to the
braking action of the towing vehicle. The
device is essentially an electric surge brake
controller, with the electric power for the
brakes provided by the tow vehicle, but the
braking action of the trailer is controlled by
the electronic controller mounted on the
trailer. A trailer using this trailer mounted
electronic brake controller does not meet the
‘‘operative at all times’’ requirement of 49
CFR 393.48 and the brakes do not meet the
‘‘apply by a single application valve’’
requirement of 49 CFR 393.49. Innovative
Electronics and other electric surge brake
controller manufactures have identified
potential significant market penetration in
commercial trailers equipped with electric
brakes. Consequently, Innovative Electronics
is requesting this exemption for all
commercial motor vehicles as defined in
§ 390.5, for a period of 2 years.
jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES
Innovative Electronics requests that
the standards for hydraulic surge brakes
in 393.48(d) and 393.49(c) be applied to
the temporary exemption, i.e.,
substituting ‘‘trailer mounted electric
brake controller’’ for ‘‘surge brake’’ as
follows:
(1) Trailer-mounted electric brake
controllers are allowed on:
(i) Any trailer with a gross vehicle weight
rating (GVWR) of 12,000 pounds or less,
when its GVWR does not exceed 1.75 times
the GVWR of the towing vehicle; and
(ii) Any trailer with a GVWR greater than
12,000 pounds, but less than 20,001 pounds,
when its GVWR does not exceed 1.25 times
the GVWR of the towing vehicle.
(2) The gross vehicle weight (GVW) of a
trailer equipped with a trailer-mounted
electric brake controller may be used instead
of its GVWR to calculate compliance with the
weight ratios specified in paragraph (d)(1) of
this section when the trailer manufacturer’s
GVWR label is missing.
(3) The GVW of a trailer equipped with a
trailer-mounted electric brake controller must
be used to calculate compliance with the
weight ratios specified in paragraph (d)(1) of
this section when the trailer’s GVW exceeds
its GVWR.
(4) The trailer equipped with a trailermounted electric brake controller must meet
the requirements of § 393.40.
Control valves for brakes.
(1) Trailer-mounted electric brake
controller exception. This requirement is not
applicable to trailers equipped with trailermounted electric brake controllers that
satisfy the conditions specified in 393.48(d).
Without this exemption, commercial
vehicle operators who tow trailers
equipped with electric brakes must
continue to purchase and install
aftermarket trailer brake controls in each
tow vehicle which may be used to tow
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15:10 Feb 09, 2011
Jkt 223001
a commercial trailer equipped with
electric brakes. Similarly, rental
companies will be prevented from
renting trailers equipped with electric
brakes to commercial customers whose
tow vehicles are not equipped with
electric brake controllers, although they
can rent such trailers to a customer for
non-commercial use.
Innovative Electronics has provided
limited test data showing that the
trailer-mounted electronic brake
controller appears to meet the braking
performance requirements of 49 CFR
393.52(d). These test data have been
included in the docket referenced at the
beginning of this notice. Innovative
Electronics’ trailer-mounted electric
brake controllers are currently available
for non-commercial use trailers. The use
of trailers equipped with electric brakes
is currently allowed, and the brake
performance of trailers equipped with
the trailer-mounted controller appears
to be at least as good as the performance
of a tow vehicle equipped with a trailer
brake controller. Trailer-mounted
electric brake controllers offer the
advantage of continuous electronic
sensing of the braking forces acting on
the trailer by the tow vehicle, thus
eliminating the over-application of the
trailer brakes in wet or icy conditions
and continuously adjusting the
application of the trailer brakes to
variations in trailer weight; this is not
possible when relying on the crude
manual adjustments available on most
in-cab tow vehicle brake controllers.
For the reasons stated above,
Innovative Electronics requests that
motor carriers be permitted to use
trailer-mounted electronic brake
controllers, which would eliminate the
requirement for each individual tow
vehicle to be equipped with an
electronic brake controller. Innovative
Electronics is making this request
because it believes the use of trailermounted electronic brake controllers
will maintain a level of safety that is
equivalent to the level of safety
achieved without the exemption.
FMCSA notes that, in comments
submitted to the 2005 NPRM, the
Coalition stated that surge brake
technology had evolved since its
petition was originally submitted, and
suggested that the definition of surge
brakes may someday require
modification. For example, the Coalition
noted that non-hydraulic surge brake
systems had been developed and were
entering the marketplace in Europe. The
Coalition proposed that FMCSA
consider deleting ‘‘permanently closed
hydraulic’’ and the adjective ‘hydraulic’
from the definition of surge brakes as
proposed in the NPRM to eliminate any
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
7625
future design restrictions or the need for
further rulemaking petitions.
FMCSA responded in the March 2007
final rule, stating that ‘‘No data are
available to the Agency regarding the
performance of other surge brake
technologies to support the Coalition’s
request to remove the word ‘hydraulic’
from the definition of surge brake. If the
Coalition wishes to make such data
available to FMCSA, a modification of
this definition may be evaluated.’’
Request for Comments
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315
and 31136(e), FMCSA requests public
comment from all interested persons on
Innovative Electronics’ application for
an exemption from 49 CFR 393.48(a)
and 49 CFR 393.49(a). All comments
received before the close of business on
the comment closing date indicated at
the beginning of this notice will be
considered and will be available for
examination in the docket at the
location listed under the ADDRESSES
section of this notice. Comments
received after the comment closing date
will be filed in the public docket and
will be considered to the extent
practicable. In addition to late
comments, FMCSA will also continue to
file, in the public docket, relevant
information that becomes available after
the comment closing date. Interested
persons should continue to examine the
public docket for new material.
Issued on: February 4, 2011.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2011–2985 Filed 2–9–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA–2010–0414]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption
Applications; Diabetes Mellitus
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of final disposition.
AGENCY:
FMCSA announces its
decision to exempt twenty-three
individuals from its rule prohibiting
persons with insulin-treated diabetes
mellitus (ITDM) from operating
commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in
interstate commerce. The exemptions
will enable these individuals to operate
CMVs in interstate commerce.
DATES: The exemptions are effective
February 10, 2011. The exemptions
expire on February 10, 2013.
SUMMARY:
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10FEN1
7626
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 28 / Thursday, February 10, 2011 / Notices
Dr.
Mary D. Gunnels, Director, Medical
Programs, (202) 366–4001,
fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Room
W64–224, Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., 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 Federal Document
Management System (FDMS) at: https://
www.regulations.gov.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments, go to https://
www.regulations.gov and/or Room
W12–140 on the ground level of the
West Building, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
Privacy Act: Anyone may search the
electronic form of all comments
received into any of DOT’s dockets by
the name of the individual submitting
the comment (or of the person signing
the comment, if submitted on behalf of
an association, business, labor union, or
other entity). You may review DOT’s
Privacy Act Statement for the Federal
Docket Management System (FDMS)
published in the Federal Register on
January 17, 2008 (73 FR 3316), or you
may visit https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/
2008/pdf/E8-785.pdf.
jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES
Background
On December 23, 2010, FMCSA
published a notice of receipt of Federal
diabetes exemption applications from
twenty-three individuals and requested
comments from the public (75 FR
80889). The public comment period
closed on January 24, 2011 and no
comments were received.
FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility
of the twenty-three applicants and
determined that granting the
exemptions to these individuals would
achieve a level of safety equivalent to,
or greater than, the level that would be
achieved by complying with the current
regulation 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3).
Diabetes Mellitus and Driving
Experience of the Applicants
The Agency established the current
standard for diabetes in 1970 because
several risk studies indicated that
drivers with diabetes had a higher rate
of crash involvement than the general
population. The diabetes rule provides
that ‘‘A person is physically qualified to
drive a commercial motor vehicle if that
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15:10 Feb 09, 2011
Jkt 223001
person has no established medical
history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes
mellitus currently requiring insulin for
control’’ (49 CFR 391.41(b)(3)).
FMCSA established its diabetes
exemption program, based on the
Agency’s July 2000 study entitled ‘‘A
Report to Congress on the Feasibility of
a Program to Qualify Individuals with
Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus to
Operate in Interstate Commerce as
Directed by the Transportation Act for
the 21st Century.’’ The report concluded
that a safe and practicable protocol to
allow some drivers with ITDM to
operate CMVs is feasible. The
September 3, 2003 (68 FR 52441)
Federal Register notice in conjunction
with the November 8, 2005 (70 FR
67777) Federal Register notice provides
the current protocol for allowing such
drivers to operate CMVs in interstate
commerce.
These twenty-three applicants have
had ITDM over a range of 1 to 33 years.
These applicants report no severe
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss
of consciousness or seizure, requiring
the assistance of another person, or
resulting in impaired cognitive function
that occurred without warning
symptoms, in the past 12 months and no
recurrent (2 or more) severe
hypoglycemic episodes in the past 5
years. In each case, an endocrinologist
verified that the driver has
demonstrated a willingness to properly
monitor and manage his/her diabetes
mellitus, received education related to
diabetes management, and is on a stable
insulin regimen. These drivers report no
other disqualifying conditions,
including diabetes-related
complications. Each meets the vision
standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
The qualifications and medical
condition of each applicant were stated
and discussed in detail in the December
23, 2010, Federal Register notice and
they will not be repeated in this notice.
Discussion of Comment
FMCSA received one comment in this
proceeding. The comment was
considered and discussed below.
The Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation stated that it had
reviewed the driving records for
Thomas H. Adams and are in favor of
granting him a Federal diabetes
exemption.
Basis for Exemption Determination
Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315,
FMCSA may grant an exemption from
the diabetes standard in 49 CFR
391.41(b)(3) if the exemption is likely to
achieve an equivalent or greater level of
safety than would be achieved without
PO 00000
Frm 00096
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
the exemption. The exemption allows
the applicants to operate CMVs in
interstate commerce.
To evaluate the effect of these
exemptions on safety, FMCSA
considered medical reports about the
applicants’ ITDM and vision, and
reviewed the treating endocrinologists’
medical opinion related to the ability of
the driver to safely operate a CMV while
using insulin.
Consequently, FMCSA finds that in
each case exempting these applicants
from the diabetes standard in 49 CFR
391.41(b)(3) is likely to achieve a level
of safety equal to that existing without
the exemption.
Conditions and Requirements
The terms and conditions of the
exemption will be provided to the
applicants in the exemption document
and they include the following: (1) That
each individual submit a quarterly
monitoring checklist completed by the
treating endocrinologist as well as an
annual checklist with a comprehensive
medical evaluation; (2) that each
individual reports within 2 business
days of occurrence, all episodes of
severe hypoglycemia, significant
complications, or inability to manage
diabetes; also, any involvement in an
accident or any other adverse event in
a CMV or personal vehicle, whether or
not it is related to an episode of
hypoglycemia; (3) that each individual
provide a copy of the ophthalmologist’s
or optometrist’s report to the medical
examiner at the time of the annual
medical examination; and (4) that each
individual provide a copy of the annual
medical certification to the employer for
retention in the driver’s qualification
file, or keep a copy in his/her driver’s
qualification file if he/she is selfemployed. The driver must also have a
copy of the certification when driving,
for presentation to a duly authorized
Federal, State, or local enforcement
official.
Conclusion
Based upon its evaluation of the
twenty-three exemption applications,
FMCSA exempts, Thomas H. Adams, Jr.,
Charlie A. Barner, Charles G. Beasley,
Philp M. Carr, Timothy D. Cochran,
John A. Curtis, Robert M. Eggert,
Christopher R. Everitt, Dustin J. Favor,
Scott J. Forsmann, Joseph A. Griffin,
Paul R. Hollenbach, Michael A. Holy,
Victor M. Lewis, William P. Miller, Jr.,
Floyd R. Plocher, Darwin D. Roberts,
Robert A. Roskamp, David N.
Studebaker, Danny J. Watson, Robert L.
Wenzel, David A. Wiltse and Walter B.
Wirth from the ITDM standard in 49
CFR 391.41(b)(3), subject to the
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 28 / Thursday, February 10, 2011 / Notices
conditions listed under ‘‘Conditions and
Requirements’’ above.
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e)
and 31315 each exemption will be valid
for two 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(e) and
31315. If the exemption is still effective
at the end of the 2-year period, the
person may apply to FMCSA for a
renewal under procedures in effect at
that time.
Issued on: February 4, 2011.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator, Office of Policy.
[FR Doc. 2011–2984 Filed 2–9–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
In accordance with part 211 of Title
49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),
notice is hereby given that the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) received
a request for a waiver of compliance
with certain requirements of its safety
standards. The individual petition is
described below, including the party
seeking relief, the regulatory provisions
involved, the nature of the relief being
requested, and the petitioner’s
arguments in favor of relief.
Association of American Railroads
jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES
[Waiver Petition Docket Number FRA–2005–
21613]
FRA granted waiver Docket Number
FRA–2005–21613 to the Association of
American Railroads (AAR) on December
5, 2005, establishing an extensive
testing and inspection program to
determine extended clean, repair and
test intervals for air brake valves and
related components as required by the
Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards
per 49 CFR 229.27 Annual tests and
§ 229.29 Biannual tests. Eighteen (18)
separate groups of locomotives were
identified for investigation in the waiver
approval letter. This waiver has expired
and AAR’s request is to extend the
waiver for another 5 years, as provided
for in condition 12 of the original
approval letter. As part of this request
for extension, AAR has also requested
that three Wabtec Railway Electronics
(WRE) air brake system models (EPIC,
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15:10 Feb 09, 2011
Jkt 223001
EPIC–II, and EPIC 3102D2) be combined
into one testing category, thereby
reducing the number of locomotive
groups that must be investigated.
In support of this petition, AAR says
that this extension will be utilized to
collect additional data sufficient to
determine appropriate test and
inspection intervals for electronic air
brake equipment. They have also
submitted information from WRE
supporting combining EPIC 3102D2 and
EPIC II models into one group, stating
that they have commonality of
pneumatic components and electronic
controls.
Electronic airbrake systems began to
be introduced in the early 1990s. Due to
the clean operation of these systems, the
brake manufacturers applied for and
were granted industry wide waivers
permitting the clean, repair and test
intervals under 49 CFR 229.27 and
229.29, to be extended to 5 years.
Waiver Docket Number FRA–2000–7367
(formerly H–95–3), applies to electronic
brake systems manufactured by New
York Air Brake Corporation (NYAB) and
Waiver Docket Number FRA–2002–
13397 (formerly H–92–3) applies to
electronic air brake systems
manufactured by Wabtec Railway
Electronics.
The successful performance of the
electronic air brake systems out to 5
years led the CSX Transportation, Inc.
(CSXT) to apply for a further extension
for NYAB electronic air brake systems.
An extensive test and inspection
program under waiver Docket Number
FRA–1999–6252 led to further extension
of the airbrake servicing interval for the
subject CSXT locomotives. The joint
FRA-industry-labor committee approach
to performing waiver evaluations was
also validated by the experience on
CSXT.
Based largely on the success of CSXT
clean, repair, and test interval extension
program, AAR applied for and was
granted a waiver establishing a similar
program for many groups of locomotives
owned and operated by their member
railroads. Conditional approval of
waiver Docket Number FRA–2005–
21613 established the terms under
which the relief granted to CSXT could
be extended to other AAR member
railroads and established a means of
evaluating 18 groups of locomotives for
potential increases in electronic airbrake
clean, repair and test intervals. The
groups of locomotives are based on
locomotive manufacturer, air brake
manufacturer, manufacturer’s system
model, and whether or not the
locomotives are equipped with an air
dryer. The process for evaluating groups
of locomotives was based on the
PO 00000
Frm 00097
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
7627
establishment of the same type of test
and inspection program as had been
used on CSXT for each group of
locomotives identified in the approval
letter.
In the 5 years that this waiver has
been in effect, several joint committees
including representatives of FRA,
railroads, labor organizations (both
operating and maintaining crafts),
locomotive manufacturers, airbrake
manufacturers, and others have met
repeatedly to evaluate the condition of
the electronic air brake equipment on
various groups of locomotives at ages
beyond the 5-year clean, repair and test
cycle previously approved. The BNSF
Railway (BNSF) has convened a joint
waiver committee to evaluate GE and
EMD locomotives equipped with NYAB
CCB–2 air brakes without an air dryer.
Interim results at the 7 years of service
mark have shown the air brake system
condition to be substantially the same as
for similar CSXT locomotives which are
air dryer equipped. Tests, teardowns
and inspections of WRE Fastbrake
systems have recently begun on the
Union Pacific Railroad (UP) and CSXT.
Some of the locomotive groups being
studied have not yet reached the clean,
repair and test cycle time limit and the
committees will continue to meet if this
extension is granted. Certain other
combinations of equipment have not yet
passed beyond the 5-year age covered
under the earlier waivers so committees
to cover these groups are yet to be
formed.
In addition to the committee work
being done, Norfolk Southern, UP,
Amtrak, and Canadian National have
submitted the proper documentation
and have been individually approved
for the same relief granted to CSXT
based on the established similarity of
their locomotives and electronic
airbrake systems to those evaluated on
CSXT.
Interested parties are invited to
participate in these proceedings by
submitting written views, data, or
comments. FRA does not anticipate
scheduling a public hearing in
connection with these proceedings since
the facts do not appear to warrant a
hearing. If any interested party desires
an opportunity for oral comment, they
should notify FRA, in writing, before
the end of the comment period and
specify the basis for their request.
All communications concerning these
proceedings should identify the
appropriate docket number (e.g., Waiver
Petition Docket Number 2005–21613)
and may be submitted by any of the
following methods:
E:\FR\FM\10FEN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 28 (Thursday, February 10, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7625-7627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-2984]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA-2010-0414]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes
Mellitus
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of final disposition.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to exempt twenty-three
individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated
diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles
(CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions will enable these
individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.
DATES: The exemptions are effective February 10, 2011. The exemptions
expire on February 10, 2013.
[[Page 7626]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Director, Medical
Programs, (202) 366-4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Room W64-224,
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 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 Federal Document
Management System (FDMS) at: https://www.regulations.gov.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments, go to https://www.regulations.gov and/or Room W12-140 on the
ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
Privacy Act: Anyone may search the electronic form of all comments
received into any of DOT's dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or of the person signing the comment, if
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, or other
entity). You may review DOT's Privacy Act Statement for the Federal
Docket Management System (FDMS) published in the Federal Register on
January 17, 2008 (73 FR 3316), or you may visit https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-785.pdf.
Background
On December 23, 2010, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of
Federal diabetes exemption applications from twenty-three individuals
and requested comments from the public (75 FR 80889). The public
comment period closed on January 24, 2011 and no comments were
received.
FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of the twenty-three applicants
and determined that granting the exemptions to these individuals would
achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level
that would be achieved by complying with the current regulation 49 CFR
391.41(b)(3).
Diabetes Mellitus and Driving Experience of the Applicants
The Agency established the current standard for diabetes in 1970
because several risk studies indicated that drivers with diabetes had a
higher rate of crash involvement than the general population. The
diabetes rule provides that ``A person is physically qualified to drive
a commercial motor vehicle if that person has no established medical
history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus currently requiring
insulin for control'' (49 CFR 391.41(b)(3)).
FMCSA established its diabetes exemption program, based on the
Agency's July 2000 study entitled ``A Report to Congress on the
Feasibility of a Program to Qualify Individuals with Insulin-Treated
Diabetes Mellitus to Operate in Interstate Commerce as Directed by the
Transportation Act for the 21st Century.'' The report concluded that a
safe and practicable protocol to allow some drivers with ITDM to
operate CMVs is feasible. The September 3, 2003 (68 FR 52441) Federal
Register notice in conjunction with the November 8, 2005 (70 FR 67777)
Federal Register notice provides the current protocol for allowing such
drivers to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.
These twenty-three applicants have had ITDM over a range of 1 to 33
years. These applicants report no severe hypoglycemic reactions
resulting in loss of consciousness or seizure, requiring the assistance
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that
occurred without warning symptoms, in the past 12 months and no
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the past 5 years.
In each case, an endocrinologist verified that the driver has
demonstrated a willingness to properly monitor and manage his/her
diabetes mellitus, received education related to diabetes management,
and is on a stable insulin regimen. These drivers report no other
disqualifying conditions, including diabetes-related complications.
Each meets the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
The qualifications and medical condition of each applicant were
stated and discussed in detail in the December 23, 2010, Federal
Register notice and they will not be repeated in this notice.
Discussion of Comment
FMCSA received one comment in this proceeding. The comment was
considered and discussed below.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation stated that it had
reviewed the driving records for Thomas H. Adams and are in favor of
granting him a Federal diabetes exemption.
Basis for Exemption Determination
Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption
from the diabetes standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3) if the exemption is
likely to achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety than would
be achieved without the exemption. The exemption allows the applicants
to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.
To evaluate the effect of these exemptions on safety, FMCSA
considered medical reports about the applicants' ITDM and vision, and
reviewed the treating endocrinologists' medical opinion related to the
ability of the driver to safely operate a CMV while using insulin.
Consequently, FMCSA finds that in each case exempting these
applicants from the diabetes standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3) is likely
to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing without the
exemption.
Conditions and Requirements
The terms and conditions of the exemption will be provided to the
applicants in the exemption document and they include the following:
(1) That each individual submit a quarterly monitoring checklist
completed by the treating endocrinologist as well as an annual
checklist with a comprehensive medical evaluation; (2) that each
individual reports within 2 business days of occurrence, all episodes
of severe hypoglycemia, significant complications, or inability to
manage diabetes; also, any involvement in an accident or any other
adverse event in a CMV or personal vehicle, whether or not it is
related to an episode of hypoglycemia; (3) that each individual provide
a copy of the ophthalmologist's or optometrist's report to the medical
examiner at the time of the annual medical examination; and (4) that
each individual provide a copy of the annual medical certification to
the employer for retention in the driver's qualification file, or keep
a copy in his/her driver's qualification file if he/she is self-
employed. The driver must also have a copy of the certification when
driving, for presentation to a duly authorized Federal, State, or local
enforcement official.
Conclusion
Based upon its evaluation of the twenty-three exemption
applications, FMCSA exempts, Thomas H. Adams, Jr., Charlie A. Barner,
Charles G. Beasley, Philp M. Carr, Timothy D. Cochran, John A. Curtis,
Robert M. Eggert, Christopher R. Everitt, Dustin J. Favor, Scott J.
Forsmann, Joseph A. Griffin, Paul R. Hollenbach, Michael A. Holy,
Victor M. Lewis, William P. Miller, Jr., Floyd R. Plocher, Darwin D.
Roberts, Robert A. Roskamp, David N. Studebaker, Danny J. Watson,
Robert L. Wenzel, David A. Wiltse and Walter B. Wirth from the ITDM
standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3), subject to the
[[Page 7627]]
conditions listed under ``Conditions and Requirements'' above.
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 each exemption will
be valid for two 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(e) and 31315. If the exemption is
still effective at the end of the 2-year period, the person may apply
to FMCSA for a renewal under procedures in effect at that time.
Issued on: February 4, 2011.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator, Office of Policy.
[FR Doc. 2011-2984 Filed 2-9-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P