Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision, 3554-3555 [2012-1389]

Download as PDF 3554 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 24, 2012 / Notices accumulating 9,000 miles and tractortrailer combinations for 3 years, accumulating 18,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Kansas. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV. Bradley S. Sanders Mr. Sanders, 43, has had amblyopia in his left eye since birth. The best corrected visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20 and in his left eye, 20/60. Following an examination in 2011, his ophthalmologist noted, ‘‘At this time, given Mr. Bradley Sanders’ visual acuity bilaterally, the patient has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks to operate a commercial vehicle.’’ Mr. Sanders reported that he has driven straight trucks for 8 years, accumulating 21,840 miles. He holds a Class D operator’s license from New Mexico. 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 February 23, 2012. 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: January 13, 2012. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2012–1390 Filed 1–23–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2001–10578; FMCSA– 2003–16241; FMCSA–2005–22194; FMCSA– 2005–22727; FMCSA–2009–0303] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. AGENCY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:25 Jan 23, 2012 Jkt 226001 Notice of renewal of exemptions; request for comments. ACTION: FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 6 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. SUMMARY: This decision is effective February 9, 2012. Comments must be received on or before February 23, 2012. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) numbers: FMCSA– 2001–10578; FMCSA–2003–16241; FMCSA–2005–22194; FMCSA–2005– 22727; FMCSA–2009–0303, 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 selfDATES: PO 00000 Frm 00122 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 addressed, 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 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: 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 6 individuals who have requested renewal of their exemptions in accordance with FMCSA procedures. FMCSA has evaluated these 6 applications for renewal on their merits and decided to extend each exemption for a renewable two-year period. They are: James S. Ayers (GA) Ricky C. Dalton (UT) Vernon J. Dohrn (MN) Dennis L. Maxcy (NY) Cameron S. McMillen (NM) Dean B. Ponte (MA). 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 requirements in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), and (b) by a medical examiner who attests that the E:\FR\FM\24JAN1.SGM 24JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 24, 2012 / Notices srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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 accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each of the 6 applicants has satisfied the entry conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision requirements (66 FR 53826; 66 FR 66966; 68 FR 61857; 68 FR 69434; 68 FR 75715; 70 FR 57353; 70 FR 71884; 70 FR 72689; 71 FR 646; 71 FR 4632; 71 FR 6825; 72 FR 71998; 73 FR 6246; 74 FR 60022; 74 FR 65846; 75 FR 1450; 75 FR 4623). Each of these 6 applicants has requested renewal of the exemption and has submitted evidence showing that the vision in the better eye continues to meet the requirement 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 requirements. 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. Request for Comments FMCSA will review comments received at any time concerning a particular driver’s safety record and VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:25 Jan 23, 2012 Jkt 226001 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 drivers submit comments by February 23, 2012. 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 6 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 made on the merits of each case and made 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: January 13, 2012. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2012–1389 Filed 1–23–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA–2012–0006–N–2] Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request Federal Railroad Administration, (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice and Request for Comments. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00123 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 3555 In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below are being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICRs describe the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collections of information was published on November 17, 2011 (76 FR 71432). DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before February 23, 2012. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Safety, Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS– 21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., 3rd Floor, Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493–6292), or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Office of Information Technology, RAD–20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., 3rd Floor, Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493–6132). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104–13, Section 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised at 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR Part 1320, require Federal agencies to issue two notices seeking public comment on information collection activities before OMB may approve paperwork packages. 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 1320.8(d)(1), 1320.12. On November 17, 2011, FRA published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting comment on these ICRs for which the agency is seeking OMB approval. 76 FR 71432. FRA received no comments in response to this notice. Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b); 5 CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires OMB to approve or disapprove paperwork packages between 30 and 60 days after the 30 day notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b)–(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes that the 30 day notice informs the regulated community to file relevant comments and affords the agency adequate time to digest public comments before it renders a decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. Therefore, respondents should submit their respective comments to SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\24JAN1.SGM 24JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 24, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3554-3555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1389]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2001-10578; FMCSA-2003-16241; FMCSA-2005-22194; 
FMCSA-2005-22727; FMCSA-2009-0303]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of renewal of exemptions; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the 
vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 
6 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 February 9, 2012. Comments must be 
received on or before February 23, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) numbers: FMCSA-2001-10578; FMCSA-2003-16241; 
FMCSA-2005-22194; FMCSA-2005-22727; FMCSA-2009-0303, 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 self-
addressed, 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 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: 

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 6 individuals who have requested renewal of 
their exemptions in accordance with FMCSA procedures. FMCSA has 
evaluated these 6 applications for renewal on their merits and decided 
to extend each exemption for a renewable two-year period. They are:

James S. Ayers (GA)
Ricky C. Dalton (UT)
Vernon J. Dohrn (MN)
Dennis L. Maxcy (NY)
Cameron S. McMillen (NM)
Dean B. Ponte (MA).
    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 requirements in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), 
and (b) by a medical examiner who attests that the

[[Page 3555]]

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 accordance with 49 
U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each of the 6 applicants has satisfied the 
entry conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision 
requirements (66 FR 53826; 66 FR 66966; 68 FR 61857; 68 FR 69434; 68 FR 
75715; 70 FR 57353; 70 FR 71884; 70 FR 72689; 71 FR 646; 71 FR 4632; 71 
FR 6825; 72 FR 71998; 73 FR 6246; 74 FR 60022; 74 FR 65846; 75 FR 1450; 
75 FR 4623). Each of these 6 applicants has requested renewal of the 
exemption and has submitted evidence showing that the vision in the 
better eye continues to meet the requirement 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 requirements. 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.

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 drivers submit 
comments by February 23, 2012.
    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 6 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 made on the merits of each 
case and made 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: January 13, 2012.
 Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2012-1389 Filed 1-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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