Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus, 19433-19435 [2017-08497]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 80 / Thursday, April 27, 2017 / Notices
Schedules may be
submitted by email to: 7-AWAslotadmin@faa.gov; facsimile: 202–267–
7277; or by mail to the Slot
Administration Office, AGC–200, Office
of the Chief Counsel, 800 Independence
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Susan Pfingstler, System Operations
Services, Air Traffic Organization,
Federal Aviation Administration, 600
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20591; telephone
number: 202–267–6462; email:
susan.pfingstler@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA
has designated EWR, LAX, ORD, and
SFO as IATA Level 2 airports and JFK
as an IATA Level 3 airport. The FAA
currently limits scheduled operations at
JFK by Order.1
The FAA is primarily concerned
about scheduled and other regularly
conducted commercial operations
during peak hours, but carriers may
submit schedule plans for the entire
day. At ORD, the peak hours are 0700
to 2100 Central Time (1300 to 0300
UTC), at LAX and SFO from 0600 to
2300 Pacific Time (1400 to 0700 UTC),
and at EWR and JFK from 0600 to 2300
Eastern Time (1100 to 0400 UTC).
Carriers should submit schedule
information in sufficient detail,
including, at minimum, the operating
carrier, flight number, scheduled time of
operation, frequency, and effective
dates. IATA standard schedule
information format and data elements
(Standard Schedules Information
Manual or SSIM, Chapter 6) may be
used. The WSG provides additional
information on schedule submissions
and updates at Level 2 and Level 3
airports.
The U.S. winter scheduling season for
these airports is from October 29, 2017,
through March 24, 2018, in recognition
of the IATA northern winter period. The
FAA understands there may be
differences in schedule times due to
U.S. daylight saving time dates and will
accommodate these differences to the
extent possible.
JFK will have construction in 2018 on
Runway 13L/31R for rehabilitation of
pavement and other airfield
improvements. The Port Authority of
New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ),
the airport operator, is currently
developing the construction phasing
plans in consultation with FAA,
airlines, and other stakeholders. The
FAA and the PANYNJ will work
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
ADDRESSES:
1 Operating Limitations at John F. Kennedy
International Airport, 73 FR 3510 (Jan. 18, 2008) as
most recently amended 81 FR 40167 (June 21,
2016).
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17:07 Apr 26, 2017
Jkt 241001
together to minimize operational
disruptions to the extent possible,
similar to prior runway construction
projects. As construction plans are
developed, the FAA will review
alternative runway configurations and
operating procedures and model
potential capacity and delay impacts.
We expect the PANYNJ will conduct
regular meetings with the FAA, airlines,
and other stakeholders. Those meetings
and other information provided by the
PANYNJ will likely be the best source
of project updates and potential
operational impacts.
LAX will continue rehabilitation on
Runway 7L/25R and taxiways during
parts of the winter 2017 season. Los
Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the
airport operator, plans construction that
will shorten the runway length through
December. The runway will be limited
to departing flights. Other airfield
construction is not currently estimated
to have significant operational impacts.
LAWA conducts monthly meetings on
construction updates with FAA local air
traffic control, airline representatives,
and other interested stakeholders. The
LAWA meetings may be the best source
of project updates and potential
operational impacts.
The FAA will use hourly runway
capacity throughput for the Level 2
airports in its schedule reviews,
considering any differences associated
with runway construction or other
operational factors. The FAA regularly
reviews operational performance
metrics and trends to determine if
demand, including arrival and
departure distribution, during certain
time periods may create operational
issues and assess whether schedule
adjustments or changes to scheduling
limits are warranted during those
periods.
There are a few cases where the FAA
anticipates potential issues for winter
2017. Carriers are encouraged to take
these potential issues into consideration
before submitting schedules for winter
2017 and should be prepared to adjust
schedules to meet available capacity in
order to minimize potential congestion
and delay. At EWR, the 0700 to 0859
and 1400–2059 Eastern Time (1200 to
1359 and 1900 to 0159 UTC) hours are
expected to be the highest demand
periods and not all requests for new
flights are likely to be accommodated
during those times. At LAX and SFO,
the 0700 to 1359 Pacific Time (1500 to
2159 UTC) hours are expected to be the
highest demand hours. At ORD, the
FAA will continue to review cumulative
demand and peaking of scheduled
operations to identify potential
congested periods. As in previous
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Frm 00084
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
19433
seasons, at JFK, there is limited
availability for new operations outside
the mid-morning and late evening
periods. Anticipated late winter runway
construction could also increase delays
above levels normally experienced in
that period.
Each Level 2 airport has a separate
process adopted by the airport operator
for securing terminal/gate availability
for certain types of flights. These are
primarily for international passenger
flights or for flights operating at
particular terminals or gates. The
processes with the individual airports
will continue separately from, and in
addition to, the FAA review of
schedules based on runway capacity.
IATA maintains the schedule facilitator
contact information for carriers
planning operations at EWR, LAX, ORD,
and SFO. There are multiple terminals
at JFK and airlines are similarly
responsible for securing terminal
approval if needed. The FAA may
consider the need to harmonize terminal
and runway availability. However, this
may not always be possible within the
various airport and airline constraints.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 21,
2017.
Michael C. Artist,
Acting Vice President, System Operations
Services.
[FR Doc. 2017–08532 Filed 4–26–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA–2017–0029]
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 44 individuals from
its rule prohibiting persons with
insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM)
from operating commercial motor
vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce.
The exemptions enable these
individuals to operate CMVs in
interstate commerce.
DATES: The exemptions were effective
on April 7, 2017. The exemptions expire
on April 7, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical
Programs Division, (202) 366–4001,
fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA,
Department of Transportation, 1200
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\27APN1.SGM
27APN1
19434
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 80 / Thursday, April 27, 2017 / Notices
New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64–
113, Washington, DC 20590–0001.
Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
e.t., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. 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., e.t., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
Privacy Act: In accordance with 5
U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments
from the public to better inform its
rulemaking process. DOT posts these
comments, without edit, including any
personal information the commenter
provides, to www.regulations.gov, as
described in the system of records
notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can
be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy.
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
II. Background
On March 7, 2017, FMCSA published
a notice of receipt of Federal diabetes
exemption applications from 44
individuals and requested comments
from the public (82 FR 12891). The
public comment period closed on April
6, 2017, and one comment was received.
FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility
of the 44 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 Sep<11>2014
17:07 Apr 26, 2017
Jkt 241001
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 44 applicants have had ITDM
over a range of 1 to 25 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 7,
2017, Federal Register notice and they
will not be repeated in this notice.
III. Discussion of Comments
FMCSA received one comment in this
proceeding. Wesley Collier stated that
he believes he ‘‘would refrain from
passing a general rule’’ allowing drivers
with ITDM to operate CMVs in
interstate commerce, but allow
exceptions for drivers who fit certain
medical criteria. FMCSA has reviewed
the medical histories of all drivers in
this document and has determined that
granting the exemptions will create a
level of safety equal to or greater than
what would be achieved without
granting the exemptions.
IV. 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.
PO 00000
Frm 00085
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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.
V. 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.
VI. Conclusion
Based upon its evaluation of the 44
exemption applications, FMCSA
exempts the following drivers from the
diabetes requirement in 49 CFR
391.41(b)(3):
M. Rafael Allen (CT)
Roger L. Anderson (IL)
Joseph S. Bernier (MA)
Davarus L. Bouknight (SC)
Everett L. Brashears (MA)
Thomas G. Brown, II (IN)
Sequoyah S. Browning (AR)
Alfred B. Cardwell (ND)
Gregg J. Chase (NJ)
Michael R. Chrisman (NE)
Joseph A. Czanstkowski (MN)
Daniel G. Durbin (IN)
Charles E. Fennington (DE)
Craig D. Furlough (NC)
E:\FR\FM\27APN1.SGM
27APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 80 / Thursday, April 27, 2017 / Notices
Jeffrey D. Griffin (NC)
Daryll A. Grinkey (IL)
Daniel J. Irving (MD)
Charles B. Jesness (CO)
Derrick Johnson (IL)
Robert F. King (NY)
Henry D. Lyons (CT)
Owen L. MacDonald (KS)
Edwin Martinez, Jr. (DE)
Joseph Murray (KS)
Bryan J. Orcutt (ID)
Jesus H. Oseguera (ID)
Eugenio J. Pereira (NJ)
Brian R. Repp (WI)
Michael W. Robinson (MD)
Reynaldo Roman (NY)
David A. Rosen (PA)
Joseph C. Schulte (OH)
Byron L. Short (CO)
George W. Sparrow (RI)
Gabriel S. Stevens (CT)
Stanford A. Tilghman (PA)
Joshua F. Tolman (UT)
Thomas W. Truitt (WY)
Joseph G. Volz (WI)
David B. Watson (FL)
Curtis D. Weinman (WA)
Charlie A. Williams (NC)
Timothy J. Williamson (GA)
Mark E. Wisecarver (PA)
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e)
and 31315 each exemption is 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: April 19, 2017.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2017–08497 Filed 4–26–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA–2005–22177; FMCSA–
2005–22905; FMCSA–2006–26600; FMCSA–
2008–0009; FMCSA–2008–0399; FMCSA–
2009–0055; FMCSA–2011–0011; FMCSA–
2011–0025; FMCSA–2013–0011; FMCSA–
2013–0013; FMCSA–2014–0314]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption
Applications; Diabetes
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
AGENCY:
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17:07 Apr 26, 2017
Jkt 241001
Notice of renewal of
exemptions; request for comments.
ACTION:
FMCSA announces its
decision to renew the exemptions of 135
individuals from its rule prohibiting
persons with insulin-treated diabetes
mellitus (ITDM) from operating
commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in
interstate commerce. FMCSA has
statutory authority to exempt
individuals from this rule if the
exemptions granted will not
compromise safety. The Agency has
concluded that granting these
exemption renewals will provide a level
of safety that is equivalent to or greater
than the level of safety maintained
without the exemptions for these CMV
drivers.
DATES: Each group of renewed
exemptions are effective from the dates
stated in the discussions below.
Comments must be received on or
before May 30, 2017.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
bearing the Federal Docket Management
System (FDMS) numbers: Docket No.
FMCSA–2005–22177; FMCSA–2005–
22905; FMCSA–2006–26600; FMCSA–
2008–0009; FMCSA–2008–0399;
FMCSA–2009–0055; FMCSA–2011–
0011; FMCSA–2011–0025; FMCSA–
2013–0011; FMCSA–2013–0013;
FMCSA–2014–0314 using any of the
following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility;
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590–0001.
• Hand Delivery or Courier: West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday,
except Federal Holidays.
• Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
Instructions: Each submission must
include the Agency name and the
docket number for this notice. Note that
DOT posts all comments received
without change to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information included in a
comment. Please see the Privacy Act
heading below.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments, go to https://
www.regulations.gov at any time or
Room W12–140 on the ground level of
the West Building, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00086
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
19435
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 Federal Docket
Management System (FDMS) published
in the Federal Register on January 17,
2008 (73 FR 3316).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical
Programs Division, 202–366–4001,
fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA,
Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W64–
113, Washington, DC 20590–0001.
Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5:30
p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315,
FMCSA may renew an exemption from
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations 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 135 individuals listed in
this notice have recently become
eligible for a renewed exemption from
the diabetes prohibition in 49 CFR
391.41(b)(3), which applies to drivers of
CMVs in interstate commerce. The
drivers remain in good standing with
the Agency, have maintained their
required medical monitoring and have
not exhibited any medical issues that
would compromise their ability to safely
operate a CMV during the previous 2year exemption period.
II. Exemption Decision
This notice addresses 135 individuals
who have requested renewal of their
exemptions in accordance with FMCSA
procedures. These 135 drivers remain in
good standing with the Agency, have
maintained their required medical
monitoring and have not exhibited any
medical issues that would compromise
E:\FR\FM\27APN1.SGM
27APN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 80 (Thursday, April 27, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19433-19435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-08497]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA-2017-0029]
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 44 individuals from its
rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM)
from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce.
The exemptions enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate
commerce.
DATES: The exemptions were effective on April 7, 2017. The exemptions
expire on April 7, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief,
Medical Programs Division, (202) 366-4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA,
Department of Transportation, 1200
[[Page 19434]]
New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64-113, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office
hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. e.t., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. 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., e.t., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits
comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT
posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information
the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the
system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
www.dot.gov/privacy.
II. Background
On March 7, 2017, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of Federal
diabetes exemption applications from 44 individuals and requested
comments from the public (82 FR 12891). The public comment period
closed on April 6, 2017, and one comment was received.
FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of the 44 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 44 applicants have had ITDM over a range of 1 to 25 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 7, 2017, Federal Register
notice and they will not be repeated in this notice.
III. Discussion of Comments
FMCSA received one comment in this proceeding. Wesley Collier
stated that he believes he ``would refrain from passing a general
rule'' allowing drivers with ITDM to operate CMVs in interstate
commerce, but allow exceptions for drivers who fit certain medical
criteria. FMCSA has reviewed the medical histories of all drivers in
this document and has determined that granting the exemptions will
create a level of safety equal to or greater than what would be
achieved without granting the exemptions.
IV. 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.
V. 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.
VI. Conclusion
Based upon its evaluation of the 44 exemption applications, FMCSA
exempts the following drivers from the diabetes requirement in 49 CFR
391.41(b)(3):
M. Rafael Allen (CT)
Roger L. Anderson (IL)
Joseph S. Bernier (MA)
Davarus L. Bouknight (SC)
Everett L. Brashears (MA)
Thomas G. Brown, II (IN)
Sequoyah S. Browning (AR)
Alfred B. Cardwell (ND)
Gregg J. Chase (NJ)
Michael R. Chrisman (NE)
Joseph A. Czanstkowski (MN)
Daniel G. Durbin (IN)
Charles E. Fennington (DE)
Craig D. Furlough (NC)
[[Page 19435]]
Jeffrey D. Griffin (NC)
Daryll A. Grinkey (IL)
Daniel J. Irving (MD)
Charles B. Jesness (CO)
Derrick Johnson (IL)
Robert F. King (NY)
Henry D. Lyons (CT)
Owen L. MacDonald (KS)
Edwin Martinez, Jr. (DE)
Joseph Murray (KS)
Bryan J. Orcutt (ID)
Jesus H. Oseguera (ID)
Eugenio J. Pereira (NJ)
Brian R. Repp (WI)
Michael W. Robinson (MD)
Reynaldo Roman (NY)
David A. Rosen (PA)
Joseph C. Schulte (OH)
Byron L. Short (CO)
George W. Sparrow (RI)
Gabriel S. Stevens (CT)
Stanford A. Tilghman (PA)
Joshua F. Tolman (UT)
Thomas W. Truitt (WY)
Joseph G. Volz (WI)
David B. Watson (FL)
Curtis D. Weinman (WA)
Charlie A. Williams (NC)
Timothy J. Williamson (GA)
Mark E. Wisecarver (PA)
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 each exemption is
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: April 19, 2017.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2017-08497 Filed 4-26-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P