Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus, 26107-26109 [2013-10526]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 86 / Friday, May 3, 2013 / Notices
erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Exemption Decision
This notice addresses 20 individuals
who have requested renewal of their
exemptions in accordance with FMCSA
procedures. FMCSA has evaluated these
20 applications for renewal on their
merits and decided to extend each
exemption for a renewable two-year
period. They are:
Robert A. Casson (KY)
Charles C. Chapman (NC)
Jeffery W. Cotner (OR)
Fredrick M. DeHoff (IN)
Everett A. Doty (AZ)
John K. Fank (IL)
Bobby G. Fletcher (TX)
Heather M.B. Gordon (NH)
Raymond G. Hayden (LA)
Robert E. Hendrick (IL)
Gene A. Lesher, Jr. (WV)
Anthony R. Miles (NV)
Eric E. Myers (MD)
Kenneth L. Nau (MD)
Barbara C. Pennington (FL)
Manuel H. Sanchez (TX)
George D. Schell (IL)
David M. Stout (OR)
Kenneth E. Suter, Jr. (OH)
Thaddeus E. Temoney (DC)
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
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rescinded earlier by FMCSA.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exemption will be rescinded if: (1) The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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:52 May 02, 2013
Jkt 229001
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 20 applicants has
satisfied the entry conditions for
obtaining an exemption from the vision
requirements (65 FR 33406; 65 FR
57234; 65 FR 78256; 66 FR 16311; 67 FR
46016; 67 FR 57267; 67 FR 76439; 68 FR
10298; 68 FR 13360; 69 FR 33997; 69 FR
61292; 69 FR 62741; 70 FR 2701; 70 FR
7545; 70 FR 12265; 70 FR 14747; 70 FR
16887; 70 FR 17504; 70 FR 30997; 71 FR
62147; 72 FR 7812; 72 FR 11426; 72 FR
12665; 72 FR 12666; 72 FR 25831; 72 FR
27624; 73 FR 75803; 74 FR 6209; 74 FR
9329; 74 FR 11988; 74 FR 15586; 74 FR
19270; 74 FR 21427; 76 FR 17481; 76 FR
21796; 76 FR 25762; 76 FR 28125). Each
of these 20 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 June 3,
2013.
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 20
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
PO 00000
Frm 00169
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
26107
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: April 24, 2013.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2013–10521 Filed 5–2–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA–2013–0014]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption
Applications; Diabetes Mellitus
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of final disposition.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its
decision to exempt 19 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
May 3, 2013. The exemptions expire on
May 3, 2015.
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:
E:\FR\FM\03MYN1.SGM
03MYN1
26108
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 86 / Friday, May 3, 2013 / Notices
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).
Background
On March 13, 2013, FMCSA
published a notice of receipt of Federal
diabetes exemption applications from
19 individuals and requested comments
from the public (78 FR 16032). The
public comment period closed on April
12, 2013 and one comment was
received.
FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility
of the 19 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).
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 19 applicants have had ITDM
over a range of 1 to 42 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 March 13,
2013, Federal Register notice and they
will not be repeated in this notice.
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Diabetes Mellitus and Driving
Experience of the Applicants
Discussion of Comments
FMCSA received one comment in this
proceeding. The comment is considered
and discussed below.
The Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation commented in favor of
granting an exemption to Larry L. Eberly
after reviewing his driving history.
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
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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:52 May 02, 2013
Jkt 229001
PO 00000
Frm 00170
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
391.41(b)(3) is likely to achieve a level
of safety equal to that existing without
the exemption.
Conditions and Requirements
The terms and conditions of the
exemption will be provided to the
applicants in the exemption document
and they include the following: (1) That
each individual submit a quarterly
monitoring checklist completed by the
treating endocrinologist as well as an
annual checklist with a comprehensive
medical evaluation; (2) that each
individual reports within 2 business
days of occurrence, all episodes of
severe hypoglycemia, significant
complications, or inability to manage
diabetes; also, any involvement in an
accident or any other adverse event in
a CMV or personal vehicle, whether or
not it is related to an episode of
hypoglycemia; (3) that each individual
provide a copy of the ophthalmologist’s
or optometrist’s report to the medical
examiner at the time of the annual
medical examination; and (4) that each
individual provide a copy of the annual
medical certification to the employer for
retention in the driver’s qualification
file, or keep a copy in his/her driver’s
qualification file if he/she is selfemployed. The driver must also have a
copy of the certification when driving,
for presentation to a duly authorized
Federal, State, or local enforcement
official.
Conclusion
Based upon its evaluation of the 19
exemption applications, FMCSA
exempts Christopher W. Bailey (OH),
Kent S. Bills (IN), Bobby B. Brown (VA),
Maryland A. Chandler (KY), Ronald D.
Clark (AR), Larry L. Eberly (PA), Steven
J. Fessler (IL), Michael R. Fisher (IA),
Mark A. Krause (PA), Jeffrey G. Morford
(WA), Patrick L. Morningstar (MD),
Charles R. Plummer (OH), Grady W.
Reed (DC), Russell L. Stiley (CO), Gary
A. Stoutamyer (VA), Thomas M. Van
Camp (IA), Jack K. Webster (KY), Harry
V. Wilhite, Jr. (AL), and Robert G.
Young (OK) 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.
E:\FR\FM\03MYN1.SGM
03MYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 86 / Friday, May 3, 2013 / Notices
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: April 24, 2013.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2013–10526 Filed 5–2–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA–2013–0121]
Qualification of Drivers; Application for
Exemptions; Hearing
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of applications for
exemptions; request for comments.
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AGENCY:
SUMMARY: FMCSA announces that 9
individuals have applied for a medical
exemption from the hearing requirement
in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations (FMCSRs). In accordance
with the statutory requirements
concerning applications for exemptions,
FMCSA requests public comments on
these requests. The statute and
implementing regulations concerning
exemptions require that exemptions
must provide an equivalent or greater
level of safety than if they were not
granted. If the Agency determines the
exemptions would satisfy the statutory
requirements and decides to grant
theses requests after reviewing the
public comments submitted in response
to this notice, the exemptions would
enable 9 individuals to operate CMVs in
interstate commerce.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before June 3, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
bearing the Federal Docket Management
System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA–
2013–0121] using any of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility;
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590–0001.
• Hand Delivery: West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET,
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:52 May 02, 2013
Jkt 229001
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
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., ET, Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The
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).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Elaine M. Papp, Chief Medical
Programs, (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
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration has authority to grant
exemptions from many of the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
(FMCSRs) under 49 U.S.C. 31315 and
31136(e), as amended by Section 4007
of the Transportation Equity Act for the
21st Century (TEA–21) (Pub. L. 105–
178, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 107, 401).
FMCSA has published in 49 CFR part
381, subpart C final rules implementing
the statutory changes in its exemption
procedures made by section 4007, 69 FR
PO 00000
Frm 00171
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
26109
51589 (August 20, 2004).1 Under the
rules in part 381, subpart C, FMCSA
must publish a notice of each exemption
request in the Federal Register. The
Agency must provide the public with an
opportunity to inspect the information
relevant to the application, including
any safety analyses that have been
conducted and any research reports,
technical papers and other publications
referenced in the application. The
Agency must also provide an
opportunity to submit public comment
on the applications for exemption.
The Agency reviews the safety
analyses and the public comments and
determines whether granting the
exemption would likely achieve a level
of safety equivalent to or greater than
the level that would be achieved
without the exemption. The decision of
the Agency must be published in the
Federal Register. If the Agency denies
the request, it must state the reason for
doing so. If the decision is to grant the
exemption, the notice must specify the
person or class of persons receiving the
exemption and the regulatory provision
or provisions from which an exemption
is granted. The notice must also specify
the effective period of the exemption
(up to 2 years) and explain the terms
and conditions of the exemption. The
exemption may be renewed.
The current provisions of the FMCSRs
concerning hearing state that a person is
physically qualified to drive a CMV if
that person
First perceives a forced whispered voice in
the better ear at not less than 5 feet with or
without the use of a hearing aid or, if tested
by use of an audiometric device, does not
have an average hearing loss in the better ear
greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz,
and 2,000 Hz with or without a hearing aid
when the audiometric device is calibrated to
American National Standard (formerly ASA
Standard) Z24.5–1951.
49 CFR 391.41(b)(11). This standard was
adopted in 1970, with a revision in 1971
to allow drivers to be qualified under
this standard while wearing a hearing
aid, 35 FR 6458, 6463 (April 22, 1970)
and 36 FR 12857 (July 3, 1971).
FMCSA also issues instructions for
completing the medical examination
report and includes advisory criteria on
the report itself to provide guidance for
medical examiners in applying the
hearing standard. See 49 CFR 391.43(f).
The current advisory criteria for the
hearing standard include a reference to
a report entitled ‘‘Hearing Disorders and
Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers’’
prepared for the Federal Highway
1 This action adopted as final rules the interim
final rules issued by FMCSA’s predecessor in 1998
(63 FR 67600 (Dec. 8, 2008)), and adopted by
FMCSA in 2001 (66 FR 49867 (Oct. 1, 2001)).
E:\FR\FM\03MYN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 86 (Friday, May 3, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26107-26109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-10526]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0014]
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 19 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 May 3, 2013. The exemptions expire
on May 3, 2015.
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:
[[Page 26108]]
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).
Background
On March 13, 2013, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of Federal
diabetes exemption applications from 19 individuals and requested
comments from the public (78 FR 16032). The public comment period
closed on April 12, 2013 and one comment was received.
FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of the 19 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 19 applicants have had ITDM over a range of 1 to 42 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 March 13, 2013, Federal Register
notice and they will not be repeated in this notice.
Discussion of Comments
FMCSA received one comment in this proceeding. The comment is
considered and discussed below.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation commented in favor of
granting an exemption to Larry L. Eberly after reviewing his driving
history.
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 19 exemption applications, FMCSA
exempts Christopher W. Bailey (OH), Kent S. Bills (IN), Bobby B. Brown
(VA), Maryland A. Chandler (KY), Ronald D. Clark (AR), Larry L. Eberly
(PA), Steven J. Fessler (IL), Michael R. Fisher (IA), Mark A. Krause
(PA), Jeffrey G. Morford (WA), Patrick L. Morningstar (MD), Charles R.
Plummer (OH), Grady W. Reed (DC), Russell L. Stiley (CO), Gary A.
Stoutamyer (VA), Thomas M. Van Camp (IA), Jack K. Webster (KY), Harry
V. Wilhite, Jr. (AL), and Robert G. Young (OK) 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.
[[Page 26109]]
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: April 24, 2013.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2013-10526 Filed 5-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P