Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus, 65929-65931 [2012-26737]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2012 / Notices
Telephone (877) 892–3685; or Ted
Nadratowski, P.E., Interim Project
Manager, New York State Thruway
Authority, 200 Southern Boulevard,
Albany, New York, 12209, Telephone
(518) 436–2700.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is
hereby given that the FHWA and other
Federal Agencies have taken final
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 313; Pub. L. 110–161,
agency actions by issuing approvals for
23 CFR 635.410.
the following highway project in the
Issued on: October 25, 2012.
State of New York: Tappan Zee Hudson
Victor M. Mendez,
River Crossing Project, which crosses
Administrator.
the Hudson River between the Village of
[FR Doc. 2012–26797 Filed 10–30–12; 8:45 am]
South Nyack in Rockland County on the
BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
west and the Village of Tarrytown in
Westchester County on the east. The
bridge carries Interstate 87 (New York
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
State Thruway) and Interstate 287. The
Tappan Zee Hudson River Project
Federal Highway Administration
involves the replacement of the existing
Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions bridge with two new structures (one
each for eastbound and westbound
on the Tappan Zee Hudson River
traffic), to the north of its existing
Crossing Project in New York
location. The actions by the Federal
AGENCY: Federal Highway
agencies, and the laws under which
Administration (FHWA), U.S. DOT.
such actions were taken, are described
ACTION: Notice of Limitation on Claims
in the Final Environmental Impact
for Judicial Review of Actions by FHWA Statement (FEIS) for the project,
and Other Federal Agencies.
approved on July 27, 2012, in the
FHWA Record of Decision (ROD) issued
SUMMARY: This notice announces actions
on September 25, 2012, and in other
taken by the FHWA and other Federal
documents in the FHWA administrative
Agencies that are final within the
record. The FEIS, ROD, and other
meaning of 23 U.S.C. § 139(l)(1). The
documents in the FHWA administrative
actions relate to the Tappan Zee Hudson
record file are available by contacting
River Crossing Project located in
the FHWA, the NYSDOT, or the NYSTA
Rockland and Westchester Counties,
at the addresses provided above. The
New York. Those actions grant
FHWA FEIS and ROD can be viewed
approvals for the project.
and downloaded from the project Web
DATES: By this notice, the FHWA is
site at www.newnybridge.com or viewed
advising the public of final agency
at public libraries in the project area.
actions subject to 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). A
This notice applies to all Federal
claim seeking judicial review of the
agency decisions as of the issuance date
Federal agency actions on the highway
of this notice and all laws under which
project will be barred unless the claim
such actions were taken, including but
is filed on or before [Insert date 150
not limited to:
days after publication in the Federal
1. General: National Environmental
Register]. If this date falls on a Saturday, Policy Act (NEPA) [42 USC 4321–4351];
Sunday, or legal holiday, parties are
Federal-Aid Highway Act [23 U.S.C.
advised to file their claim no later than
109].
the business day preceding this date. If
2. Air: Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401–
the Federal law that authorizes judicial
7671(q) (Transportation Conformity).
review of a claim provides a time period
3. Land: Section 4(f) of the
of less than 150 days for filing such
Department of Transportation Act of
claim, then that shorter time period still 1966 [49 U.S.C. 303].
applies.
4. Wildlife: Endangered Species Act
[16 U.S.C. 1531–1544 and Section
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
1536], Marine Mammal Protection Act
Jonathan D. McDade, Division
[16 U.S.C. 1361], Fish and Wildlife
Administrator, Federal Highway
Administration, Leo W. O’Brien Federal Coordination Act [16 U.S.C. 661–
667(d)], Migratory Bird Treaty Act [16
Building, 11A Clinton Avenue, Suite
U.S.C. 703–712], Magnuson-Stevens
719, Albany, New York 12207,
Fishery Conservation and Management
Telephone (518) 431–4127; or Michael
Act of 1976, as amended [16 U.S.C. 1801
Anderson, P.E., Project Director, New
et seq.].
York State Department of
5. Historic and Cultural Resources:
Transportation, 4 Burnett Boulevard,
Section 106 of the National Historic
Poughkeepsie, New York 12603,
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
requirements is appropriate. The FHWA
invites public comment on this finding
for an additional 15 days following the
effective date of the finding. Comments
may be submitted to the FHWA’s Web
site via the link provided to the Utah
and Wyoming waiver pages noted
above.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:08 Oct 30, 2012
Jkt 229001
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Frm 00078
Fmt 4703
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65929
Preservation Act of 1966, as amended
[16 U.S.C. 470(f) et seq.].
6. Social and Economic: Civil Rights
Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C. 2000(d)–
2000(d)(1)].
7. Water Resources: Coastal Zone
Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1451–1465.
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. 13175 Consultation
and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments.
(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. 39(l)(1), as amended
by Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st
Century Act (MAP–21), Pub. L. 112–141,
§ 1308, 126 Stat. 405 (2012).
Issued on: October 24, 2012.
Jonathan D. McDade,
Division Administrator, Albany, NY.
[FR Doc. 2012–26799 Filed 10–30–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–RY–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA–2012–0219]
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 14 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
October 31, 2012. The exemptions
expire on October 31, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Elaine M. Papp, Chief, Medical
Programs Division, (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.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\31OCN1.SGM
31OCN1
65930
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2012 / Notices
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.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Background
On September 12, 2012, FMCSA
published a notice of receipt of Federal
diabetes exemption applications from
14 individuals and requested comments
from the public (77 FR 56258). The
public comment period closed on
October 12, 2012, and no comments
were received.
FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility
of the 14 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
requirement 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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:08 Oct 30, 2012
Jkt 229001
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 14 applicants have had ITDM
over a range of 1 to 28 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
requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
The qualifications and medical
condition of each applicant were stated
and discussed in detail in the
September 12, 2012, Federal Register
notice and they will not be repeated in
this notice.
Discussion of Comments
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 requirement 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 requirement in 49 CFR
391.41(b)(3) is likely to achieve a level
PO 00000
Frm 00079
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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 14
exemption applications, FMCSA
exempts Edward K. Belcher (KY),
Phillip C. Brooks, Jr. (VA), Michael R.
Conley (WI), Patrick J. Conners (MA),
John C. Halabura (PA), Paul L. Harrison
III (NY), Daniel T. Kelly (NY), Timothy
L. Leavelle, Sr. (VA), Robert D. Marshall
(PA), John W. Martinson (ND), William
Z. Polk (GA), Thomas E. Swayne (KS),
Anthony Williams (NJ), Mark S. Wilt
(WV) from the ITDM requirement 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 the following occurs: (1) the person
fails to comply with the terms and
conditions of the 1/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
E:\FR\FM\31OCN1.SGM
31OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2012 / Notices
for a renewal under procedures in effect
at that time.
Issued on: October 25, 2012.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2012–26737 Filed 10–30–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA–2012–0347]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption
Applications; Diabetes Mellitus
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA),
Transportation.
ACTION: Notice of applications for
exemption from the diabetes mellitus
requirement; request for comments.
AGENCY:
FMCSA announces receipt of
applications from 12 individuals for
exemption from the prohibition against
persons with insulin-treated diabetes
mellitus (ITDM) operating commercial
motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate
commerce. If granted, the exemptions
would enable these individuals with
ITDM to operate CMVs in interstate
commerce.
SUMMARY:
Comments must be received on
or before November 30, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
bearing the Federal Docket Management
System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA–
2012–0347 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: 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 numbers for this notice. Note
that all comments received will be
posted without change to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided. Please
see the Privacy Act heading below for
further information.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
DATES:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:08 Oct 30, 2012
Jkt 229001
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 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 grant an exemption from
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations 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. The 12 individuals listed in this
notice have recently requested such an
exemption from the diabetes prohibition
in 49 CFR 391.41(b) (3), which applies
to drivers of CMVs in interstate
commerce. Accordingly, the Agency
will evaluate the qualifications of each
applicant to determine whether granting
the exemption will achieve the required
level of safety mandated by the statutes.
Qualifications of Applicants
Jamie J. Duncan
Mr. Duncan, age 32, has had ITDM
since 2012. His endocrinologist
examined him in 2012 and certified that
PO 00000
Frm 00080
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
65931
he has had no severe hypoglycemic
reactions resulting in loss of
consciousness, requiring the assistance
of another person, or resulting in
impaired cognitive function that
occurred without warning in the past 12
months and no recurrent (2 or more)
severe hypoglycemic episodes in the
last 5 years. His endocrinologist certifies
that Mr. Duncan understands diabetes
management and monitoring, has stable
control of his diabetes using insulin,
and is able to drive a CMV safely.
Mr. Duncan meets the vision
requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
His optometrist examined him in 2012
and certified that he does not have
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A
Commercial Driver’s License from
Missouri.
Thomas L. Graber
Mr. Graber, 37, has had ITDM since
1993. His endocrinologist examined him
in 2012 and certified that he has had no
severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting
in loss of consciousness, requiring the
assistance of another person, or
resulting in impaired cognitive function
that occurred without warning in the
past 12 months and no recurrent (2 or
more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in
the last 5 years. His endocrinologist
certifies that Mr. Graber understands
diabetes management and monitoring,
has stable control of his diabetes using
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV
safely. Mr. Graber meets the vision
requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
His ophthalmologist examined him in
2012 and certified that he has stable
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.
He holds a Class A CDL from
Pennsylvania.
Aubrey W. Heath
Mr. Heath, 28, has had ITDM since
2012. His endocrinologist examined him
in 2012 and certified that he has had no
severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting
in loss of consciousness, requiring the
assistance of another person, or
resulting in impaired cognitive function
that occurred without warning in the
past 12 months and no recurrent (2 or
more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in
the last 5 years. His endocrinologist
certifies that Mr. Heath understands
diabetes management and monitoring,
has stable control of his diabetes using
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV
safely. Mr. Heath meets the vision
requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
His ophthalmologist examined him in
2012 and certified that he does not have
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A
CDL from Texas.
E:\FR\FM\31OCN1.SGM
31OCN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 211 (Wednesday, October 31, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65929-65931]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26737]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0219]
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 14 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 October 31, 2012. The exemptions
expire on October 31, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine M. Papp, Chief, Medical
Programs Division, (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.
[[Page 65930]]
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 September 12, 2012, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of
Federal diabetes exemption applications from 14 individuals and
requested comments from the public (77 FR 56258). The public comment
period closed on October 12, 2012, and no comments were received.
FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of the 14 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 requirement 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 14 applicants have had ITDM over a range of 1 to 28 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 requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
The qualifications and medical condition of each applicant were
stated and discussed in detail in the September 12, 2012, Federal
Register notice and they will not be repeated in this notice.
Discussion of Comments
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 requirement 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 requirement 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 14 exemption applications, FMCSA
exempts Edward K. Belcher (KY), Phillip C. Brooks, Jr. (VA), Michael R.
Conley (WI), Patrick J. Conners (MA), John C. Halabura (PA), Paul L.
Harrison III (NY), Daniel T. Kelly (NY), Timothy L. Leavelle, Sr. (VA),
Robert D. Marshall (PA), John W. Martinson (ND), William Z. Polk (GA),
Thomas E. Swayne (KS), Anthony Williams (NJ), Mark S. Wilt (WV) from
the ITDM requirement 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 the following occurs: (1) the person fails to comply
with the terms and conditions of the 1/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
[[Page 65931]]
for a renewal under procedures in effect at that time.
Issued on: October 25, 2012.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2012-26737 Filed 10-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P