Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision |
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Larry W. Minor
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
11 December 2017
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 236 (Monday, December 11, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58262-58265]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26595]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2017-0024]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of applications for exemption; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 16 individuals
for an exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor
vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions will
enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without
meeting the vision requirement in one eye.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 10, 2018.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2017-0024 using any of the
following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
online 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, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
Instructions: Each submission must include the Agency name and the
docket number(s) for this notice. Note that all comments received will
be posted without change to http://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 http://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 self-addressed, stamped envelope or postcard
or print the acknowledgement page that appears after submitting
comments online.
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 http://www.regulations.gov, as described in
the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed
at http://www.dot.gov/privacy.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief,
Medical Programs Division, (202) 366-4001,
[[Page 58263]]
fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64-224, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office
hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. If you have questions regarding viewing or submitting
material to the docket, contact Docket Services, telephone (202) 366-
9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption
from the FMCSRs for a five-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
five-year period. FMCSA grants exemptions from the FMCSRs for a two-
year period to align with the maximum duration of a driver's medical
certification.
The 16 individuals listed in this notice have requested an
exemption from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
Accordingly, the Agency will evaluate the qualifications of each
applicant to determine whether granting an exemption will achieve the
required level of safety mandated by statute.
The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding vision
found in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) states that a person is physically
qualified to drive a CMV if that person has distant visual acuity of at
least 20/40 (Snellen) in each eye without corrective lenses or visual
acuity separately corrected to 20/40 (Snellen) or better with
corrective lenses, distant binocular acuity of at least 20/40 (Snellen)
in both eyes with or without corrective lenses, field of vision of at
least 70[deg] in the horizontal Meridian in each eye, and the ability
to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing standard
red, green, and amber.
In July 1992, the Agency first published the criteria for the
Vision Waiver Program, which listed the conditions and reporting
standards that CMV drivers approved for participation would need to
meet (Qualification of Drivers; Vision Waivers, 57 FR 31458, July 16,
1992). The current Vision Exemption Program was established in 1998,
following the enactment of amendments to the statutes governing
exemptions made by Sec. 4007 of the Transportation Equity Act for the
21st Century (TEA-21), Public Law 105-178, 112 Stat. 107, 401 (June 9,
1998). Vision exemptions are considered under the procedures
established in 49 CFR part 381 subpart C, on a case-by-case basis upon
application by CMV drivers who do not meet the vision standards of 49
CFR 391.41(b)(10).
To qualify for an exemption from the vision requirement, FMCSA
requires a person to present verifiable evidence that he/she has driven
a commercial vehicle safely with the vision deficiency for the past
three years. Recent driving performance is especially important in
evaluating future safety, according to several research studies
designed to correlate past and future driving performance. Results of
these studies support the principle that the best predictor of future
performance by a driver is his/her past record of crashes and traffic
violations. Copies of the studies may be found at Docket Number FMCSA-
1998-3637.
FMCSA believes it can properly apply the principle to monocular
drivers, because data from the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA)
former waiver study program clearly demonstrated the driving
performance of experienced monocular drivers in the program is better
than that of all CMV drivers collectively (See 61 FR 13338, 13345,
March 26, 1996). The fact that experienced monocular drivers
demonstrated safe driving records in the waiver program supports a
conclusion that other monocular drivers, meeting the same qualifying
conditions as those required by the waiver program, are also likely to
have adapted to their vision deficiency and will continue to operate
safely.
The first major research correlating past and future performance
was done in England by Greenwood and Yule in 1920. Subsequent studies,
building on that model, concluded that crash rates for the same
individual exposed to certain risks for two different time periods vary
only slightly (See Bates and Neyman, University of California
Publications in Statistics, April 1952). Other studies demonstrated
theories of predicting crash proneness from crash history coupled with
other factors. These factors--such as age, sex, geographic location,
mileage driven and conviction history--are used every day by insurance
companies and motor vehicle bureaus to predict the probability of an
individual experiencing future crashes (See Weber, Donald C.,
``Accident Rate Potential: An Application of Multiple Regression
Analysis of a Poisson Process,'' Journal of American Statistical
Association, June 1971). A 1964 California Driver Record Study prepared
by the California Department of Motor Vehicles concluded that the best
overall crash predictor for both concurrent and nonconcurrent events is
the number of single convictions. This study used three consecutive
years of data, comparing the experiences of drivers in the first two
years with their experiences in the final year.
II. Qualifications of Applicants
Eric J. Andersen
Mr. Andersen, 48, has had amblyopia in his right eye since
childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/125, and in his
left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist
stated, ``I certify that in my medical opinion, this patient has
sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Andersen reported that he has driven straight
trucks for two years, accumulating 60,000 miles. He holds a Class B CDL
from Connecticut. His driving record for the last three years shows no
crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Mason M. Arends
Mr. Arends, 40, has had amblyopia in his left eye since childhood.
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, 20/
70. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated, ``Mr.
Arends does have sufficient vision to meet the requirements for a
commercial driving license.'' Mr. Arends reported that he has driven
straight trucks for six years, accumulating 141,120 miles. He holds a
Class B CDL from Colorado. His driving record for the last three years
shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Darin P. Ball
Mr. Ball, 48, has had optic atrophy in his left eye since
childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left
eye, hand motion. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist
stated, ``It is my impression that Darin is safe to drive a commercial
vehicle due to excellent vision OD, as is evidenced by his history of
driving very large vehicles/equipment for the fire department.'' Mr.
Ball reported that he has driven straight trucks for 29 years,
accumulating 754,000 miles. He holds an operator's license from New
York. His driving record for the last three years shows no crashes and
no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Freddie L. Boyd
Mr. Boyd, 63, has keratoconus in his left eye since 2000. The
visual acuity in his right eye is 20/50, and in his left eye, 20/20.
Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated, ``Freddie
[[Page 58264]]
has sufficient enough vision to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr.
Boyd reported that he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for seven
years, accumulating 882,000 miles. He holds a Class C CDL from
Michigan. His driving record for the last three years shows no crashes
and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Larry W. Buchanan, Jr.
Mr. Buchanan, 50, has had optic atrophy in his right eye since
2000. The visual acuity in his right eye is hand motion, and in his
left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist
stated, ``He has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks
required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Buchanan reported that
he has driven straight trucks for 27 years, accumulating 140,400 miles,
and tractor-trailer combinations for 27 years, accumulating 13,500
miles. He holds a Class A CDL from New Mexico. His driving record for
the last three years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving
violations in a CMV.
Gerald R. Eister
Mr. Eister, 53, has a retinal detachment in his left eye due to a
traumatic incident in childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is
20/20, and in his left eye, hand motion. Following an examination in
2017, his optometrist stated, ``Since he has had the central vision
loss of the left eye since he was around 16 and has been stable and
will continue to stay the same and knows no other difference, I feel he
is safe to continue to operate a commercial vehicle like he has for the
last 37 years.'' Mr. Eister reported that he has driven straight trucks
for 32 years, accumulating 998,400 miles and tractor-trailer
combinations for 14 years, accumulating 140,000 miles. He holds a Class
A CDL from North Carolina. His driving record for the last three years
shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Joseph A. Kennedy
Mr. Kennedy, 67, has a prosthetic left eye due to a traumatic
incident in 2014. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in
his left eye, no light perception. Following an examination in 2017,
his optometrist stated, ``Mr. Kennedy's vision of 20/15 in the right
eye allows him to operate a commercial motor vehicle . . . '' Mr.
Kennedy reported that he has driven buses for nine years, accumulating
580,500 miles. He holds an operator's license from Maine. His driving
record for the last three years shows no crashes and no convictions for
moving violations in a CMV.
Kent E. Kirchner
Mr. Kirchner, 48, has had amblyopia in his right eye since
childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/125, and in his
left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist
stated, ``Mr. Kirchner, in my opinion, has sufficient vision to perform
the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr.
Kirchner reported that he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for
ten years, accumulating 585,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from
Iowa. His driving record for the last three years shows no crashes and
no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Veronica D. Lowe
Ms. Lowe, 41, has had a corneal scar in her left eye since 2004.
The visual acuity in her right eye is 20/20, and in her left eye, 20/
100. Following an examination in 2017, her optometrist stated, ``It is
my professional opinion that Veronica does have sufficient vision to
perform all driving tasks required to operate a commercial motor
vehicle.'' Ms. Lowe reported that she has driven tractor-trailer
combinations for five years, accumulating 375,000 miles. She holds a
Class A CDL from Idaho. Her driving record for the last three years
shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Michael P. Meyer
Mr. Meyer, 36, has had amblyopia in his left eye since childhood.
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, 20/
60. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated, ``In my
medical opinion Michael has sufficient vision to perform the driving
tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Meyer reported
that he has driven straight trucks for 21 years, accumulating 168,000
miles, and buses for ten years, accumulating 2,000 miles. He holds an
operator's license from Wisconsin. His driving record for the last
three years shows no crashes and one conviction for a moving violation
in a CMV; he exceeded the speed limit by 15 mph.
Christopher T. Peevyhouse
Mr. Peevyhouse, 39, has had amblyopia in his left eye since
childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left
eye, 20/200. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated,
``Chris continues to have sufficient vision to perform the tasks of
operating a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Peevyhouse reported that he has
driven straight trucks for nine years, accumulating 166,500 miles. He
holds a Class A CDL from Tennessee. His driving record for the last
three years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations
in a CMV.
William L. Richardson Jr.
Mr. Richardson, 34, has a retinal scar in his left eye due to a
traumatic incident in 1999. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/
15, and in his left eye, light perception. Following an examination in
2017, his optometrist stated, ``Mr. Richardson has sufficient visual
ability to operate a Commercial Vehicle.'' Mr. Richardson reported that
he has driven straight trucks for 15 years, accumulating 117,000 miles.
He holds an operator's license from Indiana. His driving record for the
last three years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving
violations in a CMV.
Russell J. Soland
Mr. Soland, 64, has had a corneal scar in his right eye due to a
traumatic incident in childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is
20/200, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2017,
his optometrist stated, ``In my opinion, he has sufficient vision to
perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.''
Mr. Soland reported that he has driven straight trucks for 14 years,
accumulating 84,000 miles. He holds a Class B CDL from Minnesota. His
driving record for the last three years shows no crashes and no
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
William L. Sunkler
Mr. Sunkler, 52, has had nystagmus in his right eye since birth.
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/60, and in his left eye, 20/
25. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated, ``Patient
demonstrates sufficient vision to operate a commercial vehicle with
corrective lenses'' Mr. Sunkler reported that he has driven tractor-
trailer combinations for 30 years, accumulating 2.1 million miles. He
holds a Class A CDL from Oregon. His driving record for the last three
years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a
CMV.
Brian J. Tegeler
Mr. Tegeler, 55, has macular edema in his left eye since 2013. The
visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, 20/50.
Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated, ``In my
professional opinion, Mr. Brian Tegeler
[[Page 58265]]
has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate
a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Tegeler reported that he has driven
straight trucks for 36 years, accumulating 288,000 miles. He holds a
Class A CDL from Illinois. His driving record for the last three years
shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
William H. Wrice, Jr.
Mr. Wrice, 51, has had a chorioretinal scar in his right eye since
2012. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/100, and in his left
eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated,
``In my opinion the candidate's vision function is sufficient to
perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.''
Mr. Wrice reported that he has driven straight trucks for ten years,
accumulating 120,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for two
years, accumulating 60,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Ohio. His
driving record for the last three years shows no crashes and no
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
III. Request for Comments
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA requests
public comment from all interested persons on the exemption petitions
described in this notice. We will consider all comments and material
received before the close of business on the closing date indicated in
the dates section of the notice.
IV. Submitting Comments
You may submit your comments and material online or by fax, mail,
or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. FMCSA
recommends that you include your name and a mailing address, an email
address, or a phone number in the body of your document so that FMCSA
can contact you if there are questions regarding your submission.
To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov and
in the search box insert the docket number FMCSA-2017-0024 and click
the search button. When the new screen appears, click on the blue
``Comment Now!'' button on the right hand side of the page. On the new
page, enter information required including the specific section of this
document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each
suggestion or recommendation. If you submit your comments by mail or
hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\
by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit
comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the facility,
please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope.
We will consider all comments and materials received during the
comment period. FMCSA may issue a final determination at any time after
the close of the comment period.
V. Viewing Comments and Documents
To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this
preamble, go to http://www.regulations.gov and in the search box insert
the docket number FMCSA-2017-0024 and click ``Search.'' Next, click
``Open Docket Folder'' and you will find all documents and comments
related to this notice.
Issued on: December 4, 2017.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2017-26595 Filed 12-8-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P