Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision, 38379-38381 [2012-15629]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 124 / Wednesday, June 27, 2012 / Notices 38379 APPENDIX B TO THE NOTICE OF REVISED REGULATORY EXEMPTION FOR THE AMERICAN PYROTECHNICS ASSOCIATION (APA) [For a Limited HOS Exemption for 48 Motor Carriers during the 2012 Independence Day Celebrations] Motor carrier Address 1 Address 2 1. Alonzo Fireworks Display, Inc ........... 2. American Fireworks Company .......... 3. AM Pyrotechnics, LLC ....................... 4. Arthur Rozzi Pyrotechnics ................. 5. Atlas Enterprises Inc ......................... 6. B.J. Alan Company ............................ 7. Cartwright Fireworks, Inc ................... 8. Central States Fireworks, Inc ............ 9. Colonial Fireworks Company ............ 10. East Coast Pyrotechnics, Inc ............ 11. Entertainment Fireworks, Inc ............. 12. Falcon Fireworks ............................... 13. Fireworks & Stage FX America ......... 14. Fireworks by Grucci, Inc .................... 15. Fireworks Extravaganza .................... 16. Fireworks West Internationale ........... 17. Garden State Fireworks, Inc ............. 18. Gateway Fireworks Displays ............. 19. Global Pyrotechnics Solutions, Inc .... 20. Great Lakes Fireworks ...................... 21. Hamburg Fireworks Display Inc ........ 22. Hi-Tech FX, LLC ................................ 23. Hollywood Pyrotechnics, Inc ............. 24. J&M Displays, Inc .............................. 25. Kellner’s Fireworks Inc ...................... 26. Lantis Productions dba Lantis Fireworks and Lasers. 27. Legion Fireworks Co., Inc ................. 28. Mad Bomber/Planet Productions ....... 29. North Central Industries, Inc ............. 30. Precocious Pyrotechnics, Inc ............ 31. Pyro Engineering Inc., dba/Bay Fireworks. 32. Pyro Shows Inc ................................. 33. Pyro Spectacluars, Inc ...................... 34. Pyro Spectaculars North, Inc ............ 35. Pyrotechnic Display, Inc .................... 36. Pyrotecnico ........................................ 37. Pyrotecnico of Louisiana, LLC .......... 38. Rainbow Fireworks, Inc ..................... 39. RES Specialty Pyrotechnics .............. 40. Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks, Inc ......... 41. Skyworks, Ltd .................................... 42. Spielbauer Fireworks Co, Inc ............ 43. Stonebraker-Rocky Mountain Fireworks Co. 44. Vermont Fireworks Co., Inc./ Northstar Fireworks Co., Inc. 45. Western Display Fireworks, Ltd ........ 46. Western Enterprises, Inc ................... 47. Wolverine Fireworks Display, Inc ...... 48. Zambelli Fireworks MFG, Co., Inc .... 12 County Rd 75 ..................................... 7041 Darrow Road .................................. 2429 East 535th Rd ................................ 6607 Red Hawk Ct ................................. 6601 Nine Mile Azle Rd .......................... 555 Martin Luther King, Jr Blvd .............. 1608 Keely Road .................................... 18034 Kincaid Street .............................. 5225 Telegraph Road ............................. 4652 Catawba River Rd ......................... P.O. Box 7160 ........................................ 3411 Courthouse Road ........................... P.O. Box 488 .......................................... 1 Grucci Lane ......................................... 58 Maple Lane ........................................ 3200 West 910 North .............................. 383 Carlton Road .................................... P.O. Box 39327 ...................................... 10476 Sunset Drive ................................ 24805 Marine .......................................... 4300 Logan Lancaster Rd ...................... 1135 Ave. I .............................................. 1567 Antler Point .................................... 18064 170th Ave ..................................... 478 Old Rte 8 ......................................... P.O. Box 491 .......................................... Mechanicsville, NY 12118 ...................... Hudson, OH 44236 ................................. Buffalo, MO 65622 .................................. Maineville, OH 45039 ............................. Fort Worth, TX 76135 ............................. Youngstown, OH 44502–1102 ................ Franklin, PA 16323 ................................. Athens, IL 62613 ..................................... Toledo, OH 43612 .................................. Catawba, SC 29704 ................................ Olympia, WA 98507–7160 ...................... Guyton, GA 31312 .................................. Lakeside, CA 92040 ............................... Brookhaven, NY 11719 ........................... Otisville, NY 10963 ................................. Logan, UT 84321 .................................... Millington, NJ 07946 ............................... St Louis, MO 63139 ................................ Dittmer, MO 63023 ................................. Eastpointe, MI 48021 .............................. Lancaster, OH ......................................... Fort Madison, IA 52627 .......................... Eagan, MN 55122 ................................... Yarmouth, IA 52660 ................................ Harrisville, PA ......................................... Draper, UT 84202 ................................... 420639 103972 1034961 2008107 0116910 262140 882283 1022659 177274 545033 680942 1037954 908304 324490 2064141 245423 435878 1325301 1183902 1011216 395079 1549055 1061068 377461 481553 195428 10 Legion Lane ....................................... P.O. Box 294 .......................................... 1500 E. Washington ............................... 4420–278th Ave NW ............................... 110 Route 110, Suite 102 ....................... Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 .................. Kingsbury, IN 46345 ............................... Muncie, IN 47305 .................................... Belgrade, MN 56312 ............................... Huntington Station, NY 11746 ................ 554391 777176 00165755 435931 530262 701 W. Central Ave ................................ 3196 N Locust Ave ................................. 5301 Lang Avenue .................................. 8450 W. St. Francis Rd .......................... 302 Wilson Rd ........................................ 60 West Ct .............................................. 76 Plum Ave ........................................... 21595 286th St ....................................... 11605 North Lebanon Rd ....................... 13513 W. Carrier Rd ............................... 220 Roselawn Blvd ................................. 5650 Lowell Blvd, Unit E ........................ LaFollette, TN 37766 .............................. Rialto, CA 92376 ..................................... McClellan, CA 95652 .............................. Frankfort, IL 60423 ................................. New Castle, PA 16105 ........................... Mandeville, LA 70471 ............................. Inman, KS 67546 .................................... Belle Plaine, MN 56011 .......................... Loveland, OH 45140 ............................... Carrier, OK 73727 ................................... Green Bay, WI 54301 ............................. Denver, CO 80221 .................................. 456818 029329 1671438 1929883 526749 548303 1139643 523981 0483686 1421047 046479 0029845 2235 Vermont Route 14 South ............... East Montpelier, VT 05651 ..................... 310632 10946 S. New Era Rd ............................. P.O. Box 160 .......................................... 205 W Seidlers ....................................... P.O. Box 1463 ........................................ Canby, OR 97013 ................................... Carrier, OK 73727 ................................... Kawkawlin, MI ......................................... New Castle, PA 16103 ........................... 498941 203517 376857 033167 [FR Doc. 2012–15745 Filed 6–26–12; 8:45 am] srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2012–0105] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of final disposition. AGENCY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:05 Jun 26, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00113 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DOT No. FMCSA announces its decision to exempt seven individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision requirement in one eye. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\27JNN1.SGM 27JNN1 38380 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 124 / Wednesday, June 27, 2012 / Notices maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers. DATES: The exemptions are effective June 27, 2012. The exemptions expire on June 27, 2014. 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: 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 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 FDMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. If you want acknowledgement 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. srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Background On May 11, 2012, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of exemption applications from certain individuals, and requested comments from the public (77 FR 27852). That notice listed seven applicants’ case histories. The seven individuals applied for exemptions from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), for drivers who operate CMVs in interstate commerce. Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption for a 2year period if it finds ‘‘such exemption would likely achieve a level of safety VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:05 Jun 26, 2012 Jkt 226001 that is equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.’’ The statute also allows the Agency to renew exemptions at the end of the 2-year period. Accordingly, FMCSA has evaluated the seven applications on their merits and made a determination to grant exemptions to each of them. Vision and Driving Experience of the Applicants The vision requirement in the FMCSRs provides: A person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if that person has distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 (Snellen) in each eye without corrective lenses or visual acuity separately corrected to 20/40 (Snellen) or better with corrective lenses, distant binocular acuity of a least 20/40 (Snellen) in both eyes with or without corrective lenses, field of vision of at least 70° in the horizontal meridian in each eye, and the ability to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing requirement red, green, and amber (49 CFR 391.41(b)(10)). FMCSA recognizes that some drivers do not meet the vision requirement but have adapted their driving to accommodate their vision limitation and demonstrated their ability to drive safely. The seven exemption applicants listed in this notice are in this category. They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons, including enucleation of the eye, amblyopia, congenital eye disease and retinal detachment. In most cases, their eye conditions were not recently developed. Six of the applicants were either born with their vision impairments or have had them since childhood. The individual that sustained a vision condition as an adult has had it for a period of 10 years. Although each applicant has one eye which does not meet the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), each has at least 20/40 corrected vision in the other eye, and in a doctor’s opinion, has sufficient vision to perform all the tasks necessary to operate a CMV. Doctors’ opinions are supported by the applicants’ possession of valid commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) or non-CDLs to operate CMVs. Before issuing CDLs, States subject drivers to knowledge and skills tests designed to evaluate their qualifications to operate a CMV. All of these applicants satisfied the testing requirements for their State of residence. By meeting State licensing requirements, the applicants demonstrated their ability to operate a PO 00000 Frm 00114 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 CMV, with their limited vision, to the satisfaction of the State. While possessing a valid CDL or nonCDL, these seven drivers have been authorized to drive a CMV in intrastate commerce, even though their vision disqualified them from driving in interstate commerce. They have driven CMVs with their limited vision for careers ranging from 10 to 43 years. In the past 3 years, none of the drivers were involved in crashes, and none of the drivers were convicted of moving violations in a CMV. The qualifications, experience, and medical condition of each applicant were stated and discussed in detail in the May 11, 2012 notice (77 FR 27852). Basis for Exemption Determination Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) if the exemption is likely to achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety than would be achieved without the exemption. Without the exemption, applicants will continue to be restricted to intrastate driving. With the exemption, applicants can drive in interstate commerce. Thus, our analysis focuses on whether an equal or greater level of safety is likely to be achieved by permitting each of these drivers to drive in interstate commerce as opposed to restricting him or her to driving in intrastate commerce. To evaluate the effect of these exemptions on safety, FMCSA considered the medical reports about the applicants’ vision as well as their driving records and experience with the vision deficiency. To qualify for an exemption from the vision requirement, FMCSA requires a person to present verifiable evidence that he/she has driven a commercial vehicle safely with the vision deficiency for the past 3 years. Recent driving performance is especially important in evaluating future safety, according to several research studies designed to correlate past and future driving performance. Results of these studies support the principle that the best predictor of future performance by a driver is his/her past record of crashes and traffic violations. Copies of the studies may be found at Docket Number FMCSA–1998–3637. We believe we can properly apply the principle to monocular drivers, because data from the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) former waiver study program clearly demonstrate the driving performance of experienced monocular drivers in the program is better than that of all CMV drivers collectively (See 61 FR 13338, 13345, E:\FR\FM\27JNN1.SGM 27JNN1 srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 124 / Wednesday, June 27, 2012 / Notices March 26, 1996). The fact that experienced monocular drivers demonstrated safe driving records in the waiver program supports a conclusion that other monocular drivers, meeting the same qualifying conditions as those required by the waiver program, are also likely to have adapted to their vision deficiency and will continue to operate safely. The first major research correlating past and future performance was done in England by Greenwood and Yule in 1920. Subsequent studies, building on that model, concluded that crash rates for the same individual exposed to certain risks for two different time periods vary only slightly (See Bates and Neyman, University of California Publications in Statistics, April 1952). Other studies demonstrated theories of predicting crash proneness from crash history coupled with other factors. These factors—such as age, sex, geographic location, mileage driven and conviction history—are used every day by insurance companies and motor vehicle bureaus to predict the probability of an individual experiencing future crashes (See Weber, Donald C., ‘‘Accident Rate Potential: An Application of Multiple Regression Analysis of a Poisson Process,’’ Journal of American Statistical Association, June 1971). A 1964 California Driver Record Study prepared by the California Department of Motor Vehicles concluded that the best overall crash predictor for both concurrent and nonconcurrent events is the number of single convictions. This study used 3 consecutive years of data, comparing the experiences of drivers in the first 2 years with their experiences in the final year. Applying principles from these studies to the past 3-year record of the seven applicants, none of the drivers were involved in crashes and none of the drivers were convicted of moving violations in a CMV. All the applicants achieved a record of safety while driving with their vision impairment, demonstrating the likelihood that they have adapted their driving skills to accommodate their condition. As the applicants’ ample driving histories with their vision deficiencies are good predictors of future performance, FMCSA concludes their ability to drive safely can be projected into the future. We believe that the applicants’ intrastate driving experience and history provide an adequate basis for predicting their ability to drive safely in interstate commerce. Intrastate driving, like interstate operations, involves substantial driving on highways on the interstate system and on other roads built to interstate standards. Moreover, VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:05 Jun 26, 2012 Jkt 226001 driving in congested urban areas exposes the driver to more pedestrian and vehicular traffic than exists on interstate highways. Faster reaction to traffic and traffic signals is generally required because distances between them are more compact. These conditions tax visual capacity and driver response just as intensely as interstate driving conditions. The veteran drivers in this proceeding have operated CMVs safely under those conditions for at least 3 years, most for much longer. Their experience and driving records lead us to believe that each applicant is capable of operating in interstate commerce as safely as he/she has been performing in intrastate commerce. Consequently, FMCSA finds that exempting these applicants from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) is likely to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing without the exemption. For this reason, the Agency is granting the exemptions for the 2-year period allowed by 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 to the seven applicants listed in the notice of May 11, 2012 (77 FR 27852). We recognize that the vision of an applicant may change and affect his/her ability to operate a CMV as safely as in the past. As a condition of the exemption, therefore, FMCSA will impose requirements on the seven individuals consistent with the grandfathering provisions applied to drivers who participated in the Agency’s vision waiver program. Those requirements are found at 49 CFR 391.64(b) and include the following: (1) That each individual be physically examined every year (a) by an ophthalmologist or optometrist who attests that the vision in the better eye continues to meet the requirement 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 provide 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, or keep a copy in his/her driver’s qualification file if he/she is selfemployed. The driver must have a copy of the certification when driving, for presentation to a duly authorized Federal, State, or local enforcement official. Discussion of Comments FMCSA received no comments in this proceeding. PO 00000 Frm 00115 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 38381 Conclusion Based upon its evaluation of the seven exemption applications, FMCSA exempts Charles S. Amyx, Jr. (LA), Giovanni B. Cerino, Jr. (FL), Randall L. Mathis (AL), Shane N. Maul (IN), Michael E. McAfee (KY), Dennis D. Pimley (CA) and James E. Sikkink (IL) from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), subject to the requirements cited above (49 CFR 391.64(b)). In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each exemption will be valid for 2 years unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be revoked if: (1) The person fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained before it was granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136 and 31315. 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 20, 2012. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2012–15629 Filed 6–26–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2012–0160] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of applications for exemptions; request for comments. AGENCY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 10 individuals for exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision requirement in one eye. DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 27, 2012. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA– 2012–0160 using any of the following methods: SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\27JNN1.SGM 27JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 27, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38379-38381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15629]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0105]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

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

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

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

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to exempt seven individuals from 
the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations 
(FMCSRs). The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate 
commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting 
the prescribed vision requirement in one eye. The Agency has concluded 
that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is 
equivalent to or greater than the level of safety

[[Page 38380]]

maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers.

DATES: The exemptions are effective June 27, 2012. The exemptions 
expire on June 27, 2014.

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:

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 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 FDMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 
days each year. If you want acknowledgement 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.

Background

    On May 11, 2012, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of exemption 
applications from certain individuals, and requested comments from the 
public (77 FR 27852). That notice listed seven applicants' case 
histories. The seven individuals applied for exemptions from the vision 
requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), for drivers who operate CMVs in 
interstate commerce.
    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption 
for a 2-year period if it finds ``such exemption would likely achieve a 
level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level that 
would be achieved absent such exemption.'' The statute also allows the 
Agency to renew exemptions at the end of the 2-year period. 
Accordingly, FMCSA has evaluated the seven applications on their merits 
and made a determination to grant exemptions to each of them.

Vision and Driving Experience of the Applicants

    The vision requirement in the FMCSRs provides:
    A person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor 
vehicle if that person has distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 
(Snellen) in each eye without corrective lenses or visual acuity 
separately corrected to 20/40 (Snellen) or better with corrective 
lenses, distant binocular acuity of a least 20/40 (Snellen) in both 
eyes with or without corrective lenses, field of vision of at least 
70[deg] in the horizontal meridian in each eye, and the ability to 
recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing requirement 
red, green, and amber (49 CFR 391.41(b)(10)).
    FMCSA recognizes that some drivers do not meet the vision 
requirement but have adapted their driving to accommodate their vision 
limitation and demonstrated their ability to drive safely. The seven 
exemption applicants listed in this notice are in this category. They 
are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various 
reasons, including enucleation of the eye, amblyopia, congenital eye 
disease and retinal detachment. In most cases, their eye conditions 
were not recently developed. Six of the applicants were either born 
with their vision impairments or have had them since childhood. The 
individual that sustained a vision condition as an adult has had it for 
a period of 10 years.
    Although each applicant has one eye which does not meet the vision 
requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), each has at least 20/40 corrected 
vision in the other eye, and in a doctor's opinion, has sufficient 
vision to perform all the tasks necessary to operate a CMV. Doctors' 
opinions are supported by the applicants' possession of valid 
commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) or non-CDLs to operate CMVs. Before 
issuing CDLs, States subject drivers to knowledge and skills tests 
designed to evaluate their qualifications to operate a CMV.
    All of these applicants satisfied the testing requirements for 
their State of residence. By meeting State licensing requirements, the 
applicants demonstrated their ability to operate a CMV, with their 
limited vision, to the satisfaction of the State.
    While possessing a valid CDL or non-CDL, these seven drivers have 
been authorized to drive a CMV in intrastate commerce, even though 
their vision disqualified them from driving in interstate commerce. 
They have driven CMVs with their limited vision for careers ranging 
from 10 to 43 years. In the past 3 years, none of the drivers were 
involved in crashes, and none of the drivers were convicted of moving 
violations in a CMV.
    The qualifications, experience, and medical condition of each 
applicant were stated and discussed in detail in the May 11, 2012 
notice (77 FR 27852).

Basis for Exemption Determination

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption 
from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) if the exemption is 
likely to achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety than would 
be achieved without the exemption. Without the exemption, applicants 
will continue to be restricted to intrastate driving. With the 
exemption, applicants can drive in interstate commerce. Thus, our 
analysis focuses on whether an equal or greater level of safety is 
likely to be achieved by permitting each of these drivers to drive in 
interstate commerce as opposed to restricting him or her to driving in 
intrastate commerce.
    To evaluate the effect of these exemptions on safety, FMCSA 
considered the medical reports about the applicants' vision as well as 
their driving records and experience with the vision deficiency.
    To qualify for an exemption from the vision requirement, FMCSA 
requires a person to present verifiable evidence that he/she has driven 
a commercial vehicle safely with the vision deficiency for the past 3 
years. Recent driving performance is especially important in evaluating 
future safety, according to several research studies designed to 
correlate past and future driving performance. Results of these studies 
support the principle that the best predictor of future performance by 
a driver is his/her past record of crashes and traffic violations. 
Copies of the studies may be found at Docket Number FMCSA-1998-3637.
    We believe we can properly apply the principle to monocular 
drivers, because data from the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) 
former waiver study program clearly demonstrate the driving performance 
of experienced monocular drivers in the program is better than that of 
all CMV drivers collectively (See 61 FR 13338, 13345,

[[Page 38381]]

March 26, 1996). The fact that experienced monocular drivers 
demonstrated safe driving records in the waiver program supports a 
conclusion that other monocular drivers, meeting the same qualifying 
conditions as those required by the waiver program, are also likely to 
have adapted to their vision deficiency and will continue to operate 
safely.
    The first major research correlating past and future performance 
was done in England by Greenwood and Yule in 1920. Subsequent studies, 
building on that model, concluded that crash rates for the same 
individual exposed to certain risks for two different time periods vary 
only slightly (See Bates and Neyman, University of California 
Publications in Statistics, April 1952). Other studies demonstrated 
theories of predicting crash proneness from crash history coupled with 
other factors. These factors--such as age, sex, geographic location, 
mileage driven and conviction history--are used every day by insurance 
companies and motor vehicle bureaus to predict the probability of an 
individual experiencing future crashes (See Weber, Donald C., 
``Accident Rate Potential: An Application of Multiple Regression 
Analysis of a Poisson Process,'' Journal of American Statistical 
Association, June 1971). A 1964 California Driver Record Study prepared 
by the California Department of Motor Vehicles concluded that the best 
overall crash predictor for both concurrent and nonconcurrent events is 
the number of single convictions. This study used 3 consecutive years 
of data, comparing the experiences of drivers in the first 2 years with 
their experiences in the final year.
    Applying principles from these studies to the past 3-year record of 
the seven applicants, none of the drivers were involved in crashes and 
none of the drivers were convicted of moving violations in a CMV. All 
the applicants achieved a record of safety while driving with their 
vision impairment, demonstrating the likelihood that they have adapted 
their driving skills to accommodate their condition. As the applicants' 
ample driving histories with their vision deficiencies are good 
predictors of future performance, FMCSA concludes their ability to 
drive safely can be projected into the future.
    We believe that the applicants' intrastate driving experience and 
history provide an adequate basis for predicting their ability to drive 
safely in interstate commerce. Intrastate driving, like interstate 
operations, involves substantial driving on highways on the interstate 
system and on other roads built to interstate standards. Moreover, 
driving in congested urban areas exposes the driver to more pedestrian 
and vehicular traffic than exists on interstate highways. Faster 
reaction to traffic and traffic signals is generally required because 
distances between them are more compact. These conditions tax visual 
capacity and driver response just as intensely as interstate driving 
conditions. The veteran drivers in this proceeding have operated CMVs 
safely under those conditions for at least 3 years, most for much 
longer. Their experience and driving records lead us to believe that 
each applicant is capable of operating in interstate commerce as safely 
as he/she has been performing in intrastate commerce. Consequently, 
FMCSA finds that exempting these applicants from the vision requirement 
in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) is likely to achieve a level of safety equal to 
that existing without the exemption. For this reason, the Agency is 
granting the exemptions for the 2-year period allowed by 49 U.S.C. 
31136(e) and 31315 to the seven applicants listed in the notice of May 
11, 2012 (77 FR 27852).
    We recognize that the vision of an applicant may change and affect 
his/her ability to operate a CMV as safely as in the past. As a 
condition of the exemption, therefore, FMCSA will impose requirements 
on the seven individuals consistent with the grandfathering provisions 
applied to drivers who participated in the Agency's vision waiver 
program.
    Those requirements are found at 49 CFR 391.64(b) and include the 
following: (1) That each individual be physically examined every year 
(a) by an ophthalmologist or optometrist who attests that the vision in 
the better eye continues to meet the requirement 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 provide 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, or keep a copy in his/her driver's 
qualification file if he/she is self-employed. The driver must have a 
copy of the certification when driving, for presentation to a duly 
authorized Federal, State, or local enforcement official.

Discussion of Comments

    FMCSA received no comments in this proceeding.

Conclusion

    Based upon its evaluation of the seven exemption applications, 
FMCSA exempts Charles S. Amyx, Jr. (LA), Giovanni B. Cerino, Jr. (FL), 
Randall L. Mathis (AL), Shane N. Maul (IN), Michael E. McAfee (KY), 
Dennis D. Pimley (CA) and James E. Sikkink (IL) from the vision 
requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), subject to the requirements cited 
above (49 CFR 391.64(b)).
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each exemption 
will be valid for 2 years unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. The 
exemption will be revoked if: (1) The person fails to comply with the 
terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted 
in a lower level of safety than was maintained before it was granted; 
or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the 
goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136 and 31315.
    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 20, 2012.
 Larry W. Minor,
 Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2012-15629 Filed 6-26-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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