Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus, 37171-37173 [2011-15927]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 122 / Friday, June 24, 2011 / Notices
record for the last 3 years shows no
crashes and no convictions for moving
violations in a CMV.
Merle M. Price
Mr. Price, 56, has a prosthetic right
eye due to a traumatic injury that
occurred 36 years ago. The visual acuity
in his left eye is 20/20. Following an
examination in 2011, his optometrist
noted, ‘‘I certify that Mr. Price
demonstrates that he has sufficient
vision to perform the driving tasks
required to operate a commercial
vehicle.’’ Mr. Price reported that he has
driven straight trucks for 5 years,
accumulating 25,000 miles and tractortrailer combinations for 20 years,
accumulating 500,000 miles. He holds a
Class A CDL from Iowa. His driving
record for the last 3 years shows no
crashes and no convictions for moving
violations in a CMV.
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Terrence F. Ryan
Mr. Ryan, 49, has had refractive
amblyopia in his left eye since
childhood. The best corrected visual
acuity in his right eye is 20/20 and in
his left eye, 20/50. Following an
examination in 2011, his optometrist
noted, ‘‘I certify in my medical opinion
that Terrence Ryan has sufficient vision
to operate a commercial vehicle.’’ Mr.
Ryan reported that he has driven
straight trucks for 12 years,
accumulating 600,000 miles and tractortrailer combinations for 14 years,
accumulating 1.1 million miles. He
holds a Class A CDL from Florida. His
driving record for the last 3 years shows
one crash for which he was not cited,
and no convictions for moving
violations in a CMV.
Kirby R. Sands
Mr. Sands, 49, has had a cornea scar
in his right eye, due to a traumatic
injury sustained at age 9. The best
corrected visual acuity in his right eye
is hand motion vision and in his left
eye, 20/15. Following an examination in
2011, his optometrist noted, ‘‘My
conclusion is that Kirby Sands is
qualified to perform the driving tasks
required to operate a commercial
vehicle.’’ Mr. Sands reported that he has
driven straight trucks for 5 years,
accumulating 128,000 miles and tractortrailer combinations for 15 years,
accumulating 1.8 million miles. He
holds a Class A CDL from Iowa. His
driving record for the last 3 years shows
no crashes and not convictions for
moving violations in a CMV.
Dennis W. Stubrich
Mr. Stubrich, 57, has had Eales’
disease in his right eye since 1984. The
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:06 Jun 23, 2011
Jkt 223001
best corrected visual acuity in his right
eye is 20/60 and in his left eye, 20/20.
Following an examination in 2010, his
ophthalmologist noted, ‘‘In my opinion,
Mr. Stubrich’s vision is sufficient to
perform driving tasks required to
operate commercial vehicles.’’ Mr.
Stubrich reported that he has driven
straight trucks for 26 years,
accumulating 1.7 million miles and
tractor-trailer combinations for 5 years,
accumulating 72,000 miles. He holds a
Class A CDL from Pennsylvania. His
driving record for the last 3 years shows
no crashes and no convictions for
moving violations in a CMV.
Stephen W. Verrette
Mr. Verrette, 44, has had cataract in
his right eye due to a traumatic injury
sustained at age 10. The best corrected
visual acuity in his right eye is 20/150
and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an
examination in 2011, his optometrist
noted, ‘‘In light of this, I feel Steve can
safely perform driving tasks necessary to
operate a commercial motor vehicle.’’
Mr. Verrette reported that he has driven
straight trucks for 25 years,
accumulating 75,000 miles. He holds a
Class A CDL from Michigan. His driving
record for the last 3 years shows no
crashes and no convictions for moving
violations in a CMV.
Joseph A. Wells
Mr. Wells, 46, had a corneal
transplantation in the 1990s and retinal
detachment repair in 2009 due to a prior
history of trauma in his right eye. The
best corrected visual acuity in his right
eye is 20/70 and in his left eye, 20/20.
Following an examination in 2011, his
ophthalmologist noted, ‘‘I believe based
on the clinical examination, he is
capable of operating commercial motor
vehicles without difficulty.’’ Mr. Wells
reported that he has driven straight
trucks for 25 years, accumulating 1.2
million miles. He holds a Class A CDL
from Illinois. His driving record for the
last 3 years shows no crashes and no
convictions for moving violations in a
CMV.
Leslie H. Wylie
Mr. Wylie, 55, has loss of vision in his
right eye due to a traumatic injury
sustained in 1985. The best corrected
visual acuity in his right eye is 20/400
and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an
examination in 2010, his
ophthalmologist noted, as long as he
meets the criteria in regard to his visual
field for operation of a commercial
vehicle, I see no problems with his
operation of a commercial vehicle.’’ Mr.
Wylie reported that he has driven
straight trucks for 17 years,
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
37171
accumulating 3,400 miles and tractortrailer combinations for 17 years,
accumulating 3,400 miles. He holds a
Class D operator’s license from Idaho.
His driving record for the last 3 years
shows no crashes and no convictions for
moving violations in a CMV.
Request for Comments
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e)
and 31315, FMCSA requests public
comment from all interested persons on
the exemption petitions described in
this notice. The Agency will consider all
comments received before the close of
business July 25, 2011. Comments will
be available for examination in the
docket at the location listed under the
ADDRESSES section of this notice. The
Agency will file comments received
after the comment closing date in the
public docket, and will consider them 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
monitor the public docket for new
material.
Issued on: June 17, 2011.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2011–15928 Filed 6–23–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA–2011–0103]
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-four
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
June 24, 2011. The exemptions expire
on June 24, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Elaine M. Papp, Chief, Medical
Programs, (202) 366–4001,
fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Room
W64–224, Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
SUMMARY:
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24JNN1
37172
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 122 / Friday, June 24, 2011 / Notices
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.
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Background
On May 5, 2011, FMCSA published a
notice of receipt of Federal diabetes
exemption applications from twentyfour individuals and requested
comments from the public (76 FR
25769). The public comment period
closed on June 6, 2011 and no
comments were received.
FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility
of the twenty-four 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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:06 Jun 23, 2011
Jkt 223001
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-four applicants have
had ITDM over a range of 1 to 34 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 May 5,
2011, Federal Register notice and they
will not be repeated in this notice.
Discussion of Comment
FMCSA did not receive any
comments in this proceeding.
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
PO 00000
Frm 00120
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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-four exemption applications,
FMCSA exempts, Alfonso L. Abeyta,
Perfecto Aquino, James C. Ayotte, John
C. Beason, Jr., Charles A. Best, Gregory
E. Bichsel, II., Raymond D. Dubose,
Adam Errickson, Jon M. Greiner,
Gregory M. Hoyt, Robert E. Jackson,
Kimm D. Jacobson, Daryl D. Jibben,
Jimmy G. Lee, Jr., Daniel S. May, Gerald
D. McElya, Michael L. Moore, Stacey W.
Nelson, Ervin W. Ponto, Donald B.
Ramaley, Bart H. Rideout, Floyd M.
Tyler, Richard G. Wunderlich and
Mathew E. Yeates from the ITDM
standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3), subject
to the 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
E:\FR\FM\24JNN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 122 / Friday, June 24, 2011 / Notices
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: June 15, 2011.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2011–15927 Filed 6–23–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA–1999–5748; FMCSA–
2000–8398; FMCSA–2005–20560; FMCSA–
2006–26066; FMCSA–2007–0071; FMCSA–
2007–26653; FMCSA–2007–27515; FMCSA–
2008–0398; FMCSA–2009–0086]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption
Applications; Vision
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of renewal of
exemptions; request for comments.
AGENCY:
FMCSA announces its
decision to renew the exemptions from
the vision requirement in the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 24
individuals. FMCSA has statutory
authority to exempt individuals from
the vision requirement if the
exemptions granted will not
compromise safety. The Agency has
concluded that granting these
exemption renewals will provide a level
of safety that is equivalent to or greater
than the level of safety maintained
without the exemptions for these
commercial motor vehicle (CMV)
drivers.
DATES: This decision is effective July 2,
2011. Comments must be received on or
before July 25, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
bearing the Federal Docket Management
System (FDMS) numbers: FMCSA–
1999–5748; FMCSA–2000–8398;
FMCSA–2005–20560; FMCSA–2006–
26066; FMCSA–2007–0071; FMCSA–
2007–26653; FMCSA–2007–27515;
FMCSA–2008–0398; FMCSA–2009–
0086, using any of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility;
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590–0001.
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:06 Jun 23, 2011
Jkt 223001
• Hand Delivery or Courier: West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
• Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
Instructions: Each submission must
include the Agency name and the
docket number for this notice. Note that
DOT posts all comments received
without change to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information included in a
comment. Please see the Privacy Act
heading below.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments, go to https://
www.regulations.gov at any time 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. The
Federal Docket Management System
(FDMS) is available 24 hours each day,
365 days each year. If you want
acknowledgment that we received your
comments, please include a selfaddressed, stamped envelope or
postcard or print the acknowledgement
page that appears after submitting
comments on-line.
Privacy Act: Anyone may search the
electronic form of all comments
received into any of our 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, etc.).
You may review DOT’s Privacy Act
Statement for the 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Elaine M. Papp, Chief, Medical
Programs, (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:
Background
Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315,
FMCSA may renew an exemption from
the vision requirements in 49 CFR
391.41(b)(10), which applies to drivers
of CMVs in interstate commerce, for a
two-year period if it finds ‘‘such
exemption would likely achieve a level
of safety that is equivalent to or greater
PO 00000
Frm 00121
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
37173
than the level that would be achieved
absent such exemption.’’ The
procedures for requesting an exemption
(including renewals) are set out in 49
CFR part 381.
Exemption Decision
This notice addresses 24 individuals
who have requested renewal of their
exemptions in accordance with FMCSA
procedures. FMCSA has evaluated these
24 applications for renewal on their
merits and decided to extend each
exemption for a renewable two-year
period. They are: Carl W. Adams,
Michael W. Anderson, William E.
Beckley, Michael R. Bradford, Richard
A. Brown, Jr., John J. Caricola, Jr.,
William P. Caufield, Denise M. Engle,
Michael A. Hildebrand, Wade M.
Hillmer, Michael W. Jensen, Caleb T.
Kass, Clifford E. Masink, Michael J.
McGregan, Felix L. McLean, Earl R.
Neugebauer, Willie E. Nichols, John P.
Perez, Jeffrey W. Pike, Jr., Scott K.
Richardson, Jose C. Sanchez-Sanchez,
Kyle C. Shover, Charles H. Smith,
Robert G. Springer.
The exemptions are extended subject
to the following conditions: (1) That
each individual has a physical
examination every year (a) by an
ophthalmologist or optometrist who
attests that the vision in the better eye
continues to meet the standard in 49
CFR 391.41(b)(10), and (b) by a medical
examiner who attests that the individual
is otherwise physically qualified under
49 CFR 391.41; (2) that each individual
provides a copy of the ophthalmologist’s
or optometrist’s report to the medical
examiner at the time of the annual
medical examination; and (3) that each
individual provide a copy of the annual
medical certification to the employer for
retention in the driver’s qualification
file and retains 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
E:\FR\FM\24JNN1.SGM
24JNN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 122 (Friday, June 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37171-37173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15927]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA-2011-0103]
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-four 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 June 24, 2011. The exemptions
expire on June 24, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine M. Papp, Chief, Medical
Programs, (202) 366-4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Room W64-224,
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
[[Page 37172]]
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 May 5, 2011, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of Federal
diabetes exemption applications from twenty-four individuals and
requested comments from the public (76 FR 25769). The public comment
period closed on June 6, 2011 and no comments were received.
FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of the twenty-four 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-four applicants have had ITDM over a range of 1 to 34
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 May 5, 2011, Federal Register
notice and they will not be repeated in this notice.
Discussion of Comment
FMCSA did not receive any comments in this proceeding.
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-four exemption
applications, FMCSA exempts, Alfonso L. Abeyta, Perfecto Aquino, James
C. Ayotte, John C. Beason, Jr., Charles A. Best, Gregory E. Bichsel,
II., Raymond D. Dubose, Adam Errickson, Jon M. Greiner, Gregory M.
Hoyt, Robert E. Jackson, Kimm D. Jacobson, Daryl D. Jibben, Jimmy G.
Lee, Jr., Daniel S. May, Gerald D. McElya, Michael L. Moore, Stacey W.
Nelson, Ervin W. Ponto, Donald B. Ramaley, Bart H. Rideout, Floyd M.
Tyler, Richard G. Wunderlich and Mathew E. Yeates from the ITDM
standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3), subject to the 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
[[Page 37173]]
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: June 15, 2011.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2011-15927 Filed 6-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P