Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing |
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Larry W. Minor
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
20 February 2020
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9931-9932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03350]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2019-0111]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of final disposition.
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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 17 individuals from the
hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
(FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate
commerce. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf
individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.
DATES: The exemptions were applicable on January 21, 2020. The
exemptions expire on January 21, 2022.
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 W64-224,
Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office hours are from 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 Operations, (202) 366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Public Participation
A. Viewing Documents and Comments
To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this notice
as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FMCSA-2019-0111 and choose the document to review. If you do
not have access to the internet, you may view the docket online by
visiting the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of
the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590,
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
B. 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.transportation.gov/privacy.
II. Background
On December 19, 2019, FMCSA published a notice announcing receipt
of applications from 17 individuals requesting an exemption from the
hearing requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) to operate a CMV in
interstate commerce and requested comments from the public (84 FR
69820). The public comment period ended on January 21, 2020, and one
comment was received.
FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of these applicants and
determined that granting exemptions to these individuals would achieve
a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would
be achieved by complying with Sec. 391.41(b)(11).
The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding hearing
found in Sec. 391.41(b)(11) states 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
[[Page 9932]]
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.
This standard was adopted in 1970 and was revised 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).
III. Discussion of Comments
FMCSA received one comment in this proceeding. An anonymous
commenter stated that they want the drivers of CMVs to be as safe as
possible and that in their opinion, hearing is essential to the safe
operation of an 80,000 lb. CMV. The commenter pointed out the need to
hear sirens and noise associated with the vehicle to maintain an
appropriate level of safety. FMCSA acknowledges the concerns of the
commenter and considers each application for a hearing exemption on an
individual basis and exempts only those drivers who do not pose a risk
to public safety when granting the exemption achieves a level of safety
that is equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved
absent such exemption. The Agency has considered the available current
medical information and literature and is not aware of any data to
support the contention that hard of hearing and deaf individuals are at
an increased risk for a crash. FMCSA also reviewed a 2014 doctoral
dissertation by Birgitta Thorslund from the Department of Behavioural
Sciences and Learning at Link[ouml]ping University, Sweden, entitled,
``Effects of Hearing Loss on Traffic Safety and Mobility.'' Dr.
Thorslund concluded that ``drivers with (hearing loss) cannot be
considered an increased traffic safety risk . . . .'' In fact, Dr.
Thorslund noted, drivers with hearing loss are more likely to be more
cautious and adopt coping strategies such as reducing speed, ``using a
more comprehensive visual search behavior,'' and avoiding distracting
activities. In addition, the commenter did not provide any evidence to
support her opinion that FMCSA should no longer grant hearing
exemptions.
IV. Basis for Exemption Determination
Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), FMCSA may grant an exemption
from the FMCSRs for no longer than a 5-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 5-year period. FMCSA grants medical exemptions from the
FMCSRs for a 2-year period to align with the maximum duration of a
driver's medical certification.
The Agency's decision regarding these exemption applications is
based on current medical information and literature, and the 2008
Evidence Report, ``Executive Summary on Hearing, Vestibular Function
and Commercial Motor Driving Safety.'' The evidence report reached two
conclusions regarding the matter of hearing loss and CMV driver safety:
(1) No studies that examined the relationship between hearing loss and
crash risk exclusively among CMV drivers were identified; and (2)
evidence from studies of the private driver's license holder population
does not support the contention that individuals with hearing
impairment are at an increased risk for a crash. In addition, the
Agency reviewed each applicant's driving record found in the Commercial
Driver's License Information System, for commercial driver's license
(CDL) holders, and inspections recorded in the Motor Carrier Management
Information System. For non-CDL holders, the Agency reviewed the
driving records from the State Driver's Licensing Agency. Each
applicant's record demonstrated a safe driving history. Based on an
individual assessment of each applicant that focused on whether an
equal or greater level of safety is likely to be achieved by permitting
each of these drivers to drive in interstate commerce as opposed to
restricting him or her to driving in intrastate commerce, the Agency
believes the drivers granted this exemption have demonstrated that they
do not pose a risk to public safety.
Consequently, FMCSA finds that in each case exempting these
applicants from the hearing standard in Sec. 391.41(b)(11) 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 are provided to the
applicants in the exemption document and includes the following: (1)
Each driver must report any crashes or accidents as defined in Sec.
390.5; (2) each driver must report all citations and convictions for
disqualifying offenses under 49 CFR 383 and 49 CFR 391 to FMCSA; and
(3) each driver is prohibited from operating a motorcoach or bus with
passengers in interstate commerce. The driver must also have a copy of
the exemption when driving, for presentation to a duly authorized
Federal, State, or local enforcement official. In addition, the
exemption does not exempt the individual from meeting the applicable
CDL testing requirements.
VI. Preemption
During the period the exemption is in effect, no State shall
enforce any law or regulation that conflicts with this exemption with
respect to a person operating under the exemption.
VII. Conclusion
Based upon its evaluation of the 17 exemption applications, FMCSA
exempts the following drivers from the hearing standard, Sec.
391.41(b)(11), subject to the requirements cited above:
Bart Beasom (PA)
David Billingsley (IN)
Stephen Daniels (KS)
Paul Ditimi (CT)
Herman Fleck (PA)
John Freeman (MA)
Nicholas Green (FL)
Richard Hall (KY)
John Malm (IL)
Mark Merrow (MI)
Joyann Nipper (IA)
Jeffry Patterson (OH)
William Ranson (AR)
Michael Steffen (IN)
Justin Stephen (SC)
Michelle Trott (TN)
Sherrie Willey (WA)
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), each exemption will be valid
for 2 years from the effective date 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
prior to being 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(b).
Issued on: February 11, 2020.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2020-03350 Filed 2-19-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P