Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision |
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Larry W. Minor
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
22 May 2019
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 22, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23629-23632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-10708]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2019-0009]
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 14 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 June 21, 2019.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Federal Docket
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2019-0009 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.
To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods.
See the ``Public Participation'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section for instructions on submitting comments.
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., 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. Public Participation
A. Submitting Comments
If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this
notice (Docket No. FMCSA-2019-0009), indicate the specific section of
this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for
each suggestion or recommendation. 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,
put the docket number, FMCSA-2019-0009, in the keyword box, and click
``Search.'' When the new screen appears, click on the ``Comment Now!''
button and type your comment into the text box on the following screen.
Choose whether you are submitting your comment as an individual or on
behalf of a third party and then submit.
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.
FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the
comment period.
[[Page 23630]]
B. 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.
Insert the docket number, FMCSA-2019-0009, in the keyword box, and
click ``Search.'' Next, click the ``Open Docket Folder'' button 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
Management Facility 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.
C. 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
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 14 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.
III. Qualifications of Applicants
Cesar Avila
Mr. Avila, 35, has had amblyopia in his left eye since birth. The
visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, 20/400.
Following an examination in 2019, his optometrist stated, ``It is our
opinion that Cesar would have sufficient vision and visual fields to
perform any commercial driving task provided to him.'' Mr. Avila
reported that he has driven straight trucks for 15 years, accumulating
360,000 miles. He holds an operator's license from Pennsylvania. His
driving record for the last three years shows no crashes and no
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Scott R. Barber
Mr. Barber, 47, has optic atrophy in his left eye due to a
traumatic incident in 1996. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/
20, and in his left eye, 20/200. Following an examination in 2019, his
optometrist stated, ``It is in my medical option, [sic] I believe Mr.
Scott Barber has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks
required to operate a commercial vehicle based on these requirements.''
Mr. Barber reported that he has driven straight trucks for 26 years,
accumulating 26,000 miles. He holds an operator's license from
Illinois. His driving record for the last three years shows no crashes
and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
[[Page 23631]]
Jonathan A. Brown
Mr. Brown, 66, has a cataract in his right eye due to a traumatic
incident in 2007. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/200, and in
his left eye, 20/25. Following an examination in 2019, his optometrist
stated, ``My opinion is that Mr. Brown has sufficient vision to drive
commercial vehicles.'' Mr. Brown reported that he has driven straight
trucks for 48 years, accumulating 960,000 miles, and tractor-trailer
combinations for 48 years, accumulating 192,000 miles. He holds a Class
A CDL from Georgia. His driving record for the last three years shows
no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Glenn E. Coombes, Jr.
Mr. Coombes, 59, has had amblyopia in his left eye since childhood.
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye,
counting fingers. Following an examination in 2018, his optometrist
stated, ``Patient does have sufficient vision to operate commercial
vehicle.'' Mr. Coombes reported that he has driven straight trucks for
two years, accumulating 1,200 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations
for ten years, accumulating 1.06 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.
John A. DeVos III
Mr. DeVos, 55, has macular chorioretinal scars in his left eye due
to a traumatic incident in 2009. The visual acuity in his right eye is
20/20, and in his left eye, 20/400. Following an examination in 2019,
his optometrist stated, ``In my medical opinion, Mr. Devos [sic]
maintains sufficient vision to continue to operate a commercial vehicle
despite the sustained eye injury to his left eye.'' Mr. DeVos reported
that he has driven straight trucks for seven years, accumulating
182,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 15 years,
accumulating 180,000 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.
Marc W. Enderson
Mr. Enderson, 53, has a retinal detachment in his right eye due to
a traumatic incident in 1991. The visual acuity in his right eye is
counting fingers, and in his left eye, 20/15. Following an examination
in 2019, his optometrist stated, ``In my opinion Mr. Enderson has
sufficient vision to perform driving tasks to operate a commercial
vehicle.'' Mr. Enderson reported that he has driven straight trucks for
15 years, accumulating 225,000 miles, tractor-trailer combinations for
23 years, accumulating 460,000 miles, and buses for 12 years,
accumulating 144,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from North Dakota.
His driving record for the last three years shows no crashes and no
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Robert R. Enoch
Mr. Enoch, 70, has had macular degeneration in his right eye since
2008. The visual acuity in his right eye is counting fingers, and in
his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2018, his
ophthalmologist stated, ``With spectacle correction, the patient's only
well seeing left eye has vision that is adequate for operating a
commercial vehicle with a commercial driver's license.'' Mr. Enoch
reported that he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for 45 years,
accumulating 6 million 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.
Donald K. Etter
Mr. Etter, 82, has had amblyopia in his right eye since birth. The
visual acuity in his right eye is 20/80, and in his left eye, 20/25.
Following an examination in 2019, his optometrist stated, ``Corrected
vision, especially left eye is sufficient to perform driving tasks to
operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Etter reported that he has driven
straight trucks for 65 years, accumulating 97,500 miles, and tractor-
trailer combinations for 65 years, accumulating 97,500 miles. He holds
an operator's license from Pennsylvania. His driving record for the
last three years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving
violations in a CMV.
Juan O. Gonzalez
Mr. Gonzalez, 51, has had a chorioretinal scar in his right eye
since childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/200, and in
his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2019, his optometrist
stated, ``Based on my exam findings, and due to the nature of the
condition, Mr. Gonzalez's vision is stable. In my opinion, Mr. Gonzalez
has the capability of operating a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Gonzalez
reported that he has driven straight trucks for ten years, accumulating
1.1 million miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for six years,
accumulating 660,000 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.
Vashion E. Hammond
Mr. Hammond, 40, has a cataract in his left eye due to a traumatic
incident in childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/15, and
in his left eye, hand motion. Following an examination in 2019, his
optometrist stated, ``Mr. Hammond meets the visual requirements to
perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial motor
vehicle.'' Mr. Hammond reported that he has driven straight trucks for
two years, accumulating 140,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations
for 12 years, accumulating 840,000 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.
John M. Harvey
Mr. Harvey, 31, has had amblyopia in his right eye since childhood.
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/80, and in his left eye, 20/
20. Following an examination in 2018, his optometrist stated, ``Pt. has
4 year history of driving a commercial vehicle and may continue doing
so given today's vision examination findings [sic].'' Mr. Harvey
reported that he has driven straight trucks for four years,
accumulating 64,400 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for four
years, accumulating 20,000 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.
Jerry L. Hofer
Mr. Hofer, 67, 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 2019,
his ophthalmologist stated, ``This certifies that the patient has
sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Hofer reported that he has driven buses for
13 years, accumulating 273,000 miles. He holds a Class B CDL from New
Mexico. His driving record for the last three years shows no crashes
and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.
Victor H. Lopez-Campa
Mr. Lopez-Campa, 36, 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 2019,
his ophthalmologist stated, ``I see no change in his ocular status or
[[Page 23632]]
new issue that would preclude him from continuing to drive as a
commercial vehicle operator.'' Mr. Lopez-Campa reported that he has
driven straight trucks for three years, accumulating 150,000 miles. He
holds an operator's license from Kansas. His driving record for the
last three years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving
violations in a CMV.
Mark A. Schlesselman
Mr. Schlesselman, 45, has a cataract in his right eye due to a
traumatic incident in 2015. The visual acuity in his right eye is no
light perception, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination
in 2018, his optometrist stated, ``In my medical opinion Mark has
sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Schlesselman reported that he has driven
straight trucks for 15 years, accumulating 375,000 miles, and tractor-
trailer combinations for 25 years, accumulating 2.5 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.
IV. 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.
Issued on: May 10, 2019.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2019-10708 Filed 5-21-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P