Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision |
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Larry W. Minor
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
14 February 2018
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 14, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6681-6685]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03034]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2017-0028]
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 23 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.
[[Page 6682]]
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 16, 2018.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2017-0028 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.,
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(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., e.t., 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, 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., e.t.,
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 23 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
[[Page 6683]]
the first two years with their experiences in the final year.
II. Qualifications of Applicants
Michael W. Belknap
Mr. Belknap, 52, has had amblyopia in his right eye since birth.
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/150, and in his left eye, 20/
20. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated, ``Based
upon my examination and with due regard for public safety, it is my
decision that Mr. Belknap's eyesight is sufficient to perform the
driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Belknap
reported that he has driven straight trucks for 35 years, accumulating
525,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 35 years,
accumulating 262,500 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Vermont. His
driving record for the last three years shows no crashes and no
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Scott M. Cavanaugh
Mr. Cavanaugh, 33, has had nystagmus in his left eye since birth.
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,
``Therefore, it is my opinion that Scott has sufficient vision to
perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial motor
vehicle.'' Mr. Cavanaugh reported that he has driven straight trucks
for 12 years, accumulating 108,000 miles. He holds an operator's
license from Oklahoma. His driving record for the last three years
shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
James M. Ferry
Mr. Ferry, 52, has a retinal detachment in his right eye due to a
traumatic incident in 1991. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/
150, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2017, his
optometrist stated, ``In summary, it is my opinion that Mr. James Ferry
meets the tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Ferry
reported that he has driven straight trucks for 33 years, accumulating
825,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 31 years,
accumulating 2.17 million 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.
Jacob A. Hehr
Mr. Hehr, 27, has had amblyopia in his left eye since childhood.
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, count
fingers. Following an examination in 2017, his ophthalmologist stated,
``Vision is sufficient to operate a commercial vehicle per Sheridan
Lam, MD.'' Mr. Hehr reported that he has driven straight trucks for
eight years, accumulating 108,000 miles, and tractor-trailer
combinations for three years, accumulating 36,000 miles. He holds a
Class AM CDL from Illinois. His driving record for the last three years
shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Mike B. Houston
Mr. Houston, 42, has a corneal scar in his right eye due to a
traumatic incident in childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is
20/400, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2017,
his ophthalmologist stated, ``Despite the fact Mr. Houston has a
corneal scar in his right eye, in my medical opinion he has sufficient
vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial
vehicle.'' Mr. Houston reported that he has driven straight trucks for
ten years, accumulating 400,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations
for ten years, accumulating 400,000 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.
Marvin R. Knecht
Mr. Knecht, 67, 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/
50. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated, ``Marvin
has adequate vision to pass the commercial driving standards.'' Mr.
Knecht reported that he has driven straight trucks for 50 years,
accumulating 525,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 45
years, accumulating 3.6 million miles. He holds a Class A CDL from
North Dakota. His driving record for the last three years shows no
crashes and one conviction for speeding in a CMV; he exceeded the speed
limit by 20 mph.
Paul H. Knott
Mr. Knott, 51, has complete loss of vision in his left eye due to a
traumatic incident in 1987. 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, ``In my professional opinion,
considering the longevity of his driving career, the longstanding,
stable nature of his eye condition, and his ability to meet the
requirements for CDL licensure, I also believe Mr. Scott is capable of
safely and properly operating his vehicle(s).'' Mr. Knott reported that
he has driven straight trucks for 30 years, accumulating 900,000 miles.
He holds an operator's license from North Dakota. His driving record
for the last three years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving
violations in a CMV.
Randolph W. Lewis
Mr. Lewis, 55, has had amblyopia in his left eye since birth. The
visual acuity in his right eye is 20/15, and in his left eye, 20/60.
Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated, ``In my
opinion these findings demonstrate that the patient has sufficient
vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial
vehicle.'' Mr. Lewis reported that he has driven straight trucks for
four years, accumulating 80,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations
for 29 years, accumulating 1.45 million miles. He holds a Class A CDL
from California. His driving record for the last three years shows no
crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
John M. Moore
Mr. Moore, 51, has complete loss of vision in his right eye due to
melanoma. The visual acuity in his right eye is no light perception,
and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2017, his
ophthalmologist stated, ``He has sufficient vision to perform his
driving task under a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Moore reported that he
has driven straight trucks for 25 years, accumulating 500,000 miles,
and tractor-trailer combinations for 25 years, accumulating 2 million
miles. He holds an operator's license from Louisiana. His driving
record for the last three years shows no crashes and no convictions for
moving violations in a CMV.
Martin Munoz
Mr. Munoz, 45, has had amblyopia in his right eye since childhood.
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, ``I
certify that in my opinion, Mr. Munoz has sufficient vision to perform
the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Munoz
reported that he has driven straight trucks for seven years,
accumulating 94,500 miles. He holds an operator's license from Texas.
His driving record for the last three years shows no crashes and no
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
[[Page 6684]]
Edwin Quiles
Mr. Quiles, 58, has retinal scarring in his left eye due to a
traumatic incident in 1977. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/
20, and in his left eye, 20/250. Following an examination in 2017, his
optometrist stated, ``It is my opinion that Mr. Quiles has adequate
vision to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Quiles reported that he
has driven straight trucks for five years, accumulating 75,000 miles,
and tractor-trailer combinations for 35 years, accumulating 2.9 million
miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Florida. His driving record for the
last three years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving
violations in a CMV.
Vernon L. Reed
Mr. Reed, 61, has had a branch retinal vein occlusion in his left
eye since 2014. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his
left eye, 20/80. Following an examination in 2017, his ophthalmologist
stated, ``I believe that Vernon Reed has sufficient vision to perform
the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Reed
reported that he has driven straight trucks for 12 years, accumulating
192,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 36 years,
accumulating 3.6 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.
Joshua A. Rhynd
Mr. Rhynd, 27, 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, ``He does
have sufficient vision to perform the commercial driving tasks
required.'' Mr. Rhynd reported that he has driven straight trucks for
four years, accumulating 520,000 miles, and tractor-trailer
combinations for five years, accumulating 1.12 million miles. He holds
a Class A CDL from Maine. His driving record for the last three years
shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Douglass L. Riddell
Mr. Riddell, 62, has had amblyopia in his left eye since birth. 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, ``This letter
certifies that Douglas L. Riddell in my medical opinion has sufficient
vision to perform the driving tasks required to safely operate a
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Riddell reported that he has driven straight
trucks for 30 years, accumulating 540,000 miles, and tractor-trailer
combinations for 15 years, accumulating 120,000 miles. He holds a Class
AM1 CDL from California. His driving record for the last three years
shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Michael C. Stevelman
Mr. Stevelman, 25, has had amblyopia in his right eye since
childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/60, and in his left
eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated,
``In my medical opinion, the patient has sufficient vision to perform
the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr.
Stevelman reported that he has driven straight trucks for seven years,
accumulating 105,000 miles. He holds an operator's license from New
Jersey. His driving record for the last three years shows no crashes
and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Sedrick Straughter
Mr. Straughter, 45, 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 ophthalmologist
stated, ``This is to certify that, in my medical opinion, Mr.
Straughter has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required
to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Straughter reported that he has
driven tractor-trailer combinations for ten years, accumulating 1
million 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.
Michael Talley
Mr. Talley, 51, has a chorioretinal scar in his right eye due to a
traumatic incident in childhood. 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, ``DR [SIC] LANKA HEREBY TESTIFIES THAT IN
HIS MEDICAL OPINION, MR. TALLEY HAS THE SUFFICIENT VISION TO PERFORM
THE DRIVING TASKS REQUIRED TO OPERATE A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE.'' Mr.
Talley reported that he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for 30
years, accumulating 2.1 million miles. He holds a Class A CDL from
Oklahoma. His driving record for the last three years shows no crashes
and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Edward G. Thurston, III
Mr. Thurston, 53, has had a macular scar in his right eye since
2004. 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,
``Eddie has sufficient vision for operating a commercial vehicle.'' Mr.
Thurston reported that he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for
18 years, accumulating 1.3 million miles. He holds a Class A CDL from
Texas. His driving record for the last three years shows no crashes and
no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Gerald A. Vaughn
Mr. Vaughn, 59, has had a retinal scar in his right eye since 2004.
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/60, and in his left eye, 20/
20. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated, ``Gerald
Vaughn has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to
operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Vaughn reported that he has driven
straight trucks for ten years, accumulating 100,000 miles, and tractor-
trailer combinations for 15 years, accumulating 2.25 million 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.
John Henry R. Viljoen
Mr. Viljoen, 38, has a prosthetic left eye due to a traumatic
incident in childhood. 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, ``According the [sic] visual acuity and his
peripheral vision and his color perception, it appears he has
sufficient visual function to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr.
Viljoen reported that he has driven straight trucks for five years,
accumulating 100,000 miles. He holds an operator's license from North
Dakota. His driving record for the last three years shows no crashes
and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Kenneth E. Wheland
Mr. Wheland, 56, has had a retinal detachment in his left eye since
2014. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye,
20/125. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated, ``In
my opinion, Mr. Wheland retains vision sufficient to operate a
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Wheland reported that he has driven straight
trucks for 18 years, accumulating 5.4 million miles, tractor-trailer
combinations for 22 years, accumulating 12.1 million miles, and
[[Page 6685]]
buses for 18 years, accumulating 6.3 million miles. He holds a Class A
CDL from Pennsylvania. His driving record for the last three years
shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Richard E. Wixom
Mr. Wixom, 56, has a retinal detachment in his right eye due to a
traumatic incident in 2015. 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, ``I certify that Richard has sufficient vision to
perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.''
Mr. Wixom reported that he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for
15 years, accumulating 2.25 million miles. He holds a Class CA CDL from
Michigan. His driving record for the last three years shows no crashes
and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Mohammad J. Yousufzai
Mr. Yousufzai, 41, has had amblyopia in his left eye since
childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left
eye, 20/50. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated,
``In my medical opinion, Mr. Yousufzai has sufficient vision to perform
the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr.
Yousufzai reported that he has driven straight trucks for three years,
accumulating 36,780 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from New Jersey. 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-2017-0028 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-2017-0028 and click ``Search.'' Next, click
``Open Docket Folder'' and you will find all documents and comments
related to this notice.
Issued on: February 7, 2018.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2018-03034 Filed 2-13-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P