Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus, 70529-70530 [2012-28576]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 227 / Monday, November 26, 2012 / Notices Notice and request for comments. ACTION: FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) approval for a new information collection, which is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We published a Federal Register Notice with a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on August 23, 2012. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Please submit comments by December 26, 2012. ADDRESSES: You may send comments within 30 days to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention DOT Desk Officer. You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) Whether the proposed collection is necessary for the FHWA’s performance; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways for the FHWA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that the burden could be minimized, including the use of electronic technology, without reducing the quality of the collected information. All comments should include the Docket number FHWA–2012–0116. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Moulden, 202–493–3470, TurnerFairbank Highway Research Center, Office of Corporate Research, Technology, and Innovation Management, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, 6300 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Federal Highway Administration Research, Development and Technology Agenda Web site. Background: Title 23, United States Code, Section 502(a)(5) requires that Federal surface transportation research and development activities address the needs of stakeholders, including ‘‘States, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, the private sector, researchers, research sponsors, and other affected parties, including public interest groups.’’ As part of its effort to ensure that Federal research, development and technology (RD&T) activities are addressing the most critical national challenges, the Federal Highway Administration mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:49 Nov 23, 2012 Jkt 229001 (FHWA) is developing the RD&T Agenda Web site. This Web site will communicate FHWA’s RD&T goals, objectives and strategies to its stakeholders and highlight notable initiatives or projects that illustrate FHWA’s RD&T approach. The Web site will include an electronic mechanism for stakeholders to provide feedback on the overall RD&T Agenda, FHWA’s approach to addressing national transportation challenges, and potential opportunities for FHWA to collaborate with stakeholders to address them. Respondents: Approximately 1,000 annual respondents. Frequency: Annually. Estimated Average Burden per Response: Approximately 10 minutes per respondent per year. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: Approximately 167 hours per year. Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48. Issued on: November 19, 2012. Victoria Scott, Business Operations Group Manager, Information Technology Division. [FR Doc. 2012–28449 Filed 11–23–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Sunshine Act Meetings; Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors Meeting. TIME AND DATE: The meeting will be held on December 6, 2012, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. PLACE: This meeting will be open to the public via conference call. Any interested person may call 1–877–820– 7831, passcode, 908048 to listen and participate in this meeting. STATUS: Open to the public. Matters To Be Considered: The Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors (the Board) will continue its work in developing and implementing the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement and to that end, may consider matters properly before the Board. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Avelino Gutierrez, Chair, Unified Carrier Registration Board of Directors at (505) 827–4565. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00118 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 70529 Issued on: November 14, 2012. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator, Office of Policy, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. [FR Doc. 2012–28697 Filed 11–21–12; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA–2012–0281] 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 18 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 November 26, 2012. The exemptions expire on November 26, 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. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: 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 E:\FR\FM\26NON1.SGM 26NON1 70530 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 227 / Monday, November 26, 2012 / Notices 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. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Background On September 27, 2012, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of Federal diabetes exemption applications from 18 individuals and requested comments from the public (77 FR 59447). The public comment period closed on October 29, 2012, and no comments were received. FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of the 18 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 18 applicants have had ITDM over a range of 1 to 24 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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:49 Nov 23, 2012 Jkt 229001 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 27, 2012, Federal Register notice and they will not be repeated in this notice. Discussion of Comments FMCSA received no 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 PO 00000 Frm 00119 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 18 exemption applications, FMCSA exempts Charles E. Castle (OH), Robert R. Coscio (NY), Larry W. Dearing (IN), Bradley E. DeWitt (OR), Leonard R. Dobosenski (MN), Rodney L. Fife (OH), Patrick J. Flynn (IA), Thomas K. Galford (WV), Laurence S. Goldstein (NY), Michael L. Kiefer (SD), Marcus J. Kyle (IA), Kevin K. Leavey (NJ), Sharon K. Locke (IN), David J. Maxwell (ND), Robert C. Moore (PA), Jedediaha C. Record (WY), Jessie L. Webster (KY), Robert F. Zitoli (MA) 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 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: November 14, 2012. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2012–28576 Filed 11–23–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2012–0348] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of applications for exemption from the diabetes mellitus requirement; request for comments. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\26NON1.SGM 26NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 227 (Monday, November 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70529-70530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-28576]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0281]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes 
Mellitus

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

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 18 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 November 26, 2012. The exemptions 
expire on November 26, 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.

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

[[Page 70530]]

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 27, 2012, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of 
Federal diabetes exemption applications from 18 individuals and 
requested comments from the public (77 FR 59447). The public comment 
period closed on October 29, 2012, and no comments were received.
    FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of the 18 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 18 applicants have had ITDM over a range of 1 to 24 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 27, 2012, Federal 
Register notice and they will not be repeated in this notice.

Discussion of Comments

    FMCSA received no 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 18 exemption applications, FMCSA 
exempts Charles E. Castle (OH), Robert R. Coscio (NY), Larry W. Dearing 
(IN), Bradley E. DeWitt (OR), Leonard R. Dobosenski (MN), Rodney L. 
Fife (OH), Patrick J. Flynn (IA), Thomas K. Galford (WV), Laurence S. 
Goldstein (NY), Michael L. Kiefer (SD), Marcus J. Kyle (IA), Kevin K. 
Leavey (NJ), Sharon K. Locke (IN), David J. Maxwell (ND), Robert C. 
Moore (PA), Jedediaha C. Record (WY), Jessie L. Webster (KY), Robert F. 
Zitoli (MA) 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 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: November 14, 2012.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2012-28576 Filed 11-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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