Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus, 44650-44652 [2011-18892]
Download as PDF
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
44650
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 26, 2011 / Notices
Highway (SH) 121 (also known as
Chisholm Trail) from Farm to Market
(FM) 1187 to United States (US) 67
within the cities of Fort Worth, Crowley,
Burleson, Joshua and Cleburne in
Tarrant and Johnson Counties. Project
Reference Number: TxDOT CSJ: 0504–
04–001 and 0504–05–001. The project is
the construction of an approximate 14mile new location toll road (SH 121),
that will connect FM 1187 to US 67. The
project will consist of an ultimate
facility of two travel lanes in each
direction with shoulders. The project
will be constructed in phases. The
actions by the Federal agencies on the
project, and the laws under which such
actions were taken, are described in the
documented Environmental Assessment
(EA), with a Findings of No Significant
Impact (FONSI) issued May 20, 2004
and reaffirmed May 10, 2011 and in
other document project records. The EA,
FONSI, and other project records for the
listed project are available by contacting
the FHWA or the Texas Department of
Transportation at the addresses
provided above. The FHWA EA and
FONSI can also be viewed at the project
Web site: https://www.txdot.gov/
project_information/projects/fort_worth/
southwest_parkway/
environmental_assessment.htm. The
USACE decision (USACE Nationwide
Permit 14 with pre-construction
notification; Project Number SWF–
2005–00058) is available by contacting
TxDOT at the address provided above or
can be viewed at the project Web site.
The Decision Document for Nationwide
Permit 14 along with the Supplemental
Decision Document for Nationwide
Permit 14 for regional conditions are
also available by contacting TxDOT at
the address provided above or can be
viewed at the project Web site. The
USACE involvement with this project is
limited to approving the Section 404
permit for the project.
This notice applies to all Federal
agency decisions on the listed project as
of the issuance date of this notice and
all laws under which such actions were
taken, including but not limited to:
1. General: National Environmental
Policy Act [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.];
Federal-Aid Highway Act [23 U.S.C. 109
and 23 U.S.C. 128].
2. Air: Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401–
7671(q)].
3. Land: Section 4(f) of the
Department of Transportation Act of
1966 [23 U.S.C. 138 and 49 U.S.C. 303].
4. Wildlife: Endangered Species Act of
1973 [16 U.S.C. 1531–1544 and Section
1536]; Fish and Wildlife Coordination
Act [16 U.S.C. 661–667(d)]; and
Migratory Bird Treaty Act [16 U.S.C.
703–712].
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:12 Jul 25, 2011
Jkt 223001
5. Historic and Cultural Resources:
Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966, as amended
[16 U.S.C. 470]; Archeological
Resources Protection Act of 1977 [16
U.S.C. 470]; Archeological and Historic
Preservation Act [16 U.S.C. 469].
6. Social and Economic: Title VI of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C.
2000(d) et seq.]; Farmland Protection
Policy Act [7 U.S.C. 4201–4209].
7. Wetlands and Water Resources:
Clean Water Act [33 U.S.C. 1251–1377]
(Section 404, Section 401, Section 402,
Section 319); Rivers and Harbors Act of
1899 [33 U.S.C. 401–406]; and Land and
Water Conservation Fund [16 U.S.C.
4601–4604].
8. Executive Orders: E.O. 11990
Protection of Wetlands; E.O. 11988
Floodplain Management; E.O. 12898,
Federal Actions to Address
Environmental Justice in Minority
Populations and Low Income
Populations; E.O. 11593 Protection and
Enhancement of Cultural Resources;
E.O. 13175 Consultation and
Coordination with Indian Tribal
Government; E.O. 11514 Protection and
Enhancement of Environmental Quality.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program Number 20.205, Highway Planning
and Construction. The regulations
implementing Executive Order 12372
regarding intergovernmental consultation on
Federal programs and activities apply to this
program.)
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1).
Issued on: July 20, 2011.
Salvador Deocampo,
District Engineer, Austin, Texas.
notice was published, the Agency
amends the previous notice to provide
that information. Also, in consideration
of the complexity of the technical issues
discussed by the subcommittee during
the July 11–12, 2011, meeting, the
meeting time is being extended on the
first day of the August 1–2, 2011,
meeting.
Ms.
Shannon L. Watson, (202) 385–2395,
mcsac@dot.gov.
TIMES AND DATES: The meeting will be
held on Monday and Tuesday, August 1
and 2, 2011, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (E.T.)
at the Sheraton Crystal City, 1800
Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA
22202, in meeting rooms Crystal V and
VI.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
FMCSA’s June 29, 2011, notice (76 FR
38268) indicated that the Agency’s
MCSAC would hold two subcommittee
meetings with the first meeting to be
held on July 11–12, 2011, at the Hilton
Alexandria Old Town. The notice
indicated the second meeting would be
held on August 1 and 2, 2011, from
noon to 5 p.m. on August 1 and 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m. on August 2. The notice did
not provide a location for the August 1–
2, 2011, meeting.
FMCSA announces the location of the
August 1–2, 2011, meeting and extends
the meeting time. The meeting will be
held at the Sheraton Crystal City in
Arlington, VA. The meeting will begin
at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. on both days.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
[FR Doc. 2011–18821 Filed 7–25–11; 8:45 am]
Issued on: July 20, 2011.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
BILLING CODE 4910–RY–P
[FR Doc. 2011–18891 Filed 7–25–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA–2006–26367]
Motor Carrier Safety Advisory
Committee Public Subcommittee
Meeting; Amendment
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA–2011–0143]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption
Applications; Diabetes Mellitus
AGENCY:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; amendment.
AGENCY:
This notice amends FMCSA’s
June 29, 2011, notice announcing July
and August, 2011, subcommittee
meetings of the Agency’s Motor Carrier
Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC).
Because a final decision on the location
for the August 1–2, 2011, MCSAC
subcommittee meeting had not been
made at the time the June 29, 2011,
SUMMARY:
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00081
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of final disposition.
FMCSA announces its
decision to exempt nineteen 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.
E:\FR\FM\26JYN1.SGM
26JYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 26, 2011 / Notices
The exemptions are effective July
26, 2011. The exemptions expire on July
26, 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
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:
DATES:
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.
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Background
On June 2, 2011, FMCSA published a
notice of receipt of Federal diabetes
exemption applications from nineteeen
individuals and requested comments
from the public (76 FR 32012). The
public comment period closed on July 5,
2011, and one comment was received.
FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility
of the nineteen 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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:12 Jul 25, 2011
Jkt 223001
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 nineteen applicants have had
ITDM over a range of 1 to 30 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 June 2,
2011, Federal Register notice. 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 Brion
T. Maguire and Harry L. Claycomb and
is in favor of granting them 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
PO 00000
Frm 00082
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
44651
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 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
nineteen exemption applications,
FMCSA exempts Russell L. Bassett,
Teddy L. Beach, Franklin L. Bell, Jeffery
F. Borelli, Dale E. Burke, James S.
Campbell, Harry L. Claycomb, Boyd L.
Croshaw, Gail R. Gehrke, Derek R.
Haagensen, Martin J. Johnson, Shelley
Kneeland, Jr., Brion T. Maguire, Mark D.
McKee, Todd J. Smith, John J. Steigauf,
Andrew C. Winsberg, Nathan E. Woodin
and Vicky A. Yernesek from the ITDM
standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3), subject
E:\FR\FM\26JYN1.SGM
26JYN1
44652
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 26, 2011 / Notices
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
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: July 20, 2011.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator Office of Policy.
[FR Doc. 2011–18892 Filed 7–25–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA–1998–4334; FMCSA–
2000–7918; FMCSA–2001–9561; FMCSA–
2003–14504; FMCSA–2005–20027; FMCSA–
2007–2663; FMCSA–2007–25246; FMCSA–
2007–27515; FMCSA–2007–27897; FMCSA–
2009–0054; FMCSA–2009–0086; FMCSA–
2009–0121]
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 26
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.
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
This decision is effective August
8, 2011. Comments must be received on
or before August 25, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
bearing the Federal Docket Management
System (FDMS) numbers: FMCSA–
DATES:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:12 Jul 25, 2011
Jkt 223001
1998–4334; FMCSA–2000–7918;
FMCSA–2001–9561; FMCSA–2003–
14504; FMCSA–2005–20027; FMCSA–
2007–2663; FMCSA–2007–25246;
FMCSA–2007–27515; FMCSA–2007–
27897; FMCSA–2009–0054; FMCSA–
2009–0086; FMCSA–2009–0121, 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.
• 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,
PO 00000
Frm 00083
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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
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 26 individuals
who have requested renewal of their
exemptions in accordance with FMCSA
procedures. FMCSA has evaluated these
26 applications for renewal on their
merits and decided to extend each
exemption for a renewable two-year
period. They are:
Jean-Pierre G. Brefort
James T. Butler, Jr.
Paul W. Dawson
Jay E. Finney
Steven A. Garrity
Waylon E. Hall
Gary D. Hallman
William P. Holloman
John R. Hughes
Edward J. Kasper
Jeffrey M. Kimsey
Richard L. Leonard
Jorge Lopez
Craig R. Martin
Michael A. Mitchell
William F. Nickel, V
Robert D. Porter
Thomas G. Raymond
Robert A. Reyna
Tim M. Seavy
Lawrence E. Stabeno
Randy D. Stanley
Lee T. Taylor
Scott A. Taylor
James M. Tayman, Sr.
Steven L. Thomas
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
E:\FR\FM\26JYN1.SGM
26JYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 26, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44650-44652]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18892]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA-2011-0143]
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 nineteen 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.
[[Page 44651]]
DATES: The exemptions are effective July 26, 2011. The exemptions
expire on July 26, 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 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 June 2, 2011, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of Federal
diabetes exemption applications from nineteeen individuals and
requested comments from the public (76 FR 32012). The public comment
period closed on July 5, 2011, and one comment was received.
FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of the nineteen 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 nineteen applicants have had ITDM over a range of 1 to 30
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 June 2, 2011, Federal Register
notice. 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 Brion T. Maguire and Harry L. Claycomb
and is in favor of granting them 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 nineteen exemption applications,
FMCSA exempts Russell L. Bassett, Teddy L. Beach, Franklin L. Bell,
Jeffery F. Borelli, Dale E. Burke, James S. Campbell, Harry L.
Claycomb, Boyd L. Croshaw, Gail R. Gehrke, Derek R. Haagensen, Martin
J. Johnson, Shelley Kneeland, Jr., Brion T. Maguire, Mark D. McKee,
Todd J. Smith, John J. Steigauf, Andrew C. Winsberg, Nathan E. Woodin
and Vicky A. Yernesek from the ITDM standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3),
subject
[[Page 44652]]
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 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: July 20, 2011.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator Office of Policy.
[FR Doc. 2011-18892 Filed 7-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P