[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 195 (Friday, October 8, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54948-54954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26284]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration
[FHWA Docket No. FHWA-99-6156]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.


[[Page 54949]]


ACTION: Notice of petitions and intent to grant applications for 
exemption; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the FHWA's preliminary determination to 
grant the applications of 40 individuals for an exemption from the 
vision requirements in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations 
(FMCSRs). Granting the exemptions will enable these individuals to 
qualify as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate 
commerce without meeting the vision standard prescribed in 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(10).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 8, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Your written, signed comments must refer to the docket 
number at the top of this document, and you must submit the comments to 
the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. All comments will be available for 
examination at the above address between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those desiring 
notification of receipt of comments must include a self-addressed, 
stamped envelope or postcard.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the vision 
exemptions in this notice, Ms. Sandra Zywokarte, Office of Motor 
Carrier Research and Standards, (202) 366-2987; for information about 
legal issues related to this notice, Ms. Judith Rutledge, Office of the 
Chief Counsel, (202) 366-0834, Federal Highway Administration, 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20590. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    Internet users may access all comments received by the U.S. DOT 
Dockets, Room PL-401, by using the universal resource locator (URL): 
http://dms.dot.gov. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each 
year. Please follow the instructions online for more information and 
help.
    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem 
and suitable communications software from the Government Printing 
Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661. Internet 
users may reach the Office of the Federal Register's home page at: 
http://www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government Printing Office's 
database at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.

Background

    Forty individuals have requested an exemption from the vision 
requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), which applies to drivers of CMVs 
in interstate commerce. Under 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), the FHWA 
may grant an exemption for a renewable 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.'' Accordingly, the FHWA has evaluated each of the 40 
exemption requests on its merits, as required by 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 
31136(e), and preliminarily determined that exempting these 33 
applicants from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) is 
likely to achieve a level of safety equal to, or greater than, the 
level that would be achieved without the exemption.

Qualifications of Applicants

1. Herman Bailey, Jr.

    Mr. Bailey is 33 years old and has been employed as a commercial 
truck driver for 12 years driving straight trucks, as well as one and 
one half years driving tractor-trailer combinations. He has a history 
of amblyopia in his right eye secondary to a congenital cataract. Mr. 
Bailey has 20/20 vision in his left eye. In the ophthalmologist's 
opinion, ``Mr. Bailey has sufficient vision to perform driving tasks 
required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Bailey holds a West 
Virginia commercial driver's license (CDL). He has driven commercial 
vehicles more than 330,000 miles. His official driving record for the 
past 3 years reflects no traffic violations and no accidents in any 
vehicle.

2. Mark A. Baisden

    Mr. Baisden, 37, has been employed as a commercial truck driver for 
over 8 years. A 1999 examination indicates Mr. Baisden has amblyopia in 
his left eye which is ``stable and nonprogressive'' and ``does not 
affect or impair peripheral vision.'' His visual acuity in the right 
eye is 20/15 and his field of vision is full in each eye. In his 
optometrist's opinion, Mr. Baisden has sufficient vision to perform the 
driving tasks required for operating a CMV.
    Mr. Baisden holds an Ohio CDL. He has driven straight trucks more 
than 55,000 miles and tractor-trailer combinations 950,000 miles over 
the last 8 years His official driving record for the past 3 years 
reflects no traffic violations and no accidents in a commercial 
vehicle.

3. Brad T. Braegger

    Mr. Braegger, 47, has amblyopia in his left eye. His vision in the 
right eye is 20/20 with corrective lens, according to a 1999 
examination. His ophthalmologist states, ``Mr. Braegger has sufficient 
vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial 
vehicle.''
    Brad Braegger holds a Utah CDL. He has driven tractor-trailer 
combination vehicles during a 29-year career. He has operated tractor-
trailers for a total of over 3 million miles. His official State 
driving record reveals no traffic citations or accidents in any vehicle 
in the last 3 years.

4. Kenneth Eugene Bross

    Mr. Bross, 46, has worn a prosthesis in his left eye for 
approximately 9 years. A 1999 medical examination indicates he has 20/
20 corrected vision in his right eye. In the optometrist's opinion, 
``Mr. Bross has developed excellent adaptive skills and is fully 
capable of operating a commercial motor vehicle.''
    Kenneth Bross holds a Missouri CDL with hazardous materials and 
tank vehicles endorsements. He has operated straight trucks for 30 
years and tractor-trailer combinations for 12 years. His official State 
driving record reflects no moving violations and no accidents in any 
vehicle in the last 3 years.

5. Erick H. Cotton

    Mr. Cotton, 34, suffered an injury to his right eye over 20 years 
ago. A 1999 medical report indicates that his best corrected visual 
acuity in his right eye is 20/200. His vision in his left eye with 
glasses is 20/20. His optometrist states, ``Mr. Cotton has adapted very 
well to the central vision loss and [is] experiencing no difficulty 
driving a commercial vehicle.''
    Erick Cotton holds a Michigan CDL with a tank vehicle endorsement. 
He has driven tractor-trailer combination vehicles for 13 and one half 
years and over 470,000 miles. His driving record for the past 3 years 
reflects no traffic violations and no accidents in any type of vehicle.

6. Fletcher E. Creel

    Mr. Creel, 55, suffered an injury to his right eye in 1984 which 
prevents him from meeting the Federal vision standard. He has 20/20 
vision in his left eye with correction and full horizontal field of 
vision. An optometrist examined him in 1999 and stated, ``In my 
opinion, Mr. Creel is able to perform the visual

[[Page 54950]]

tasks necessary to operate a commercial vehicle.''
    Fletcher Creel has 33 years of experience operating tractor-trailer 
combinations. He holds a California CDL and has driven more than 1.65 
million miles in commercial vehicles. His official State driving record 
contains no accidents or citations in any vehicle over the last 3 
years.

7. Richard James Cummings

    Mr. Cummings, 42, has been employed as a commercial truck driver 
for 19 years. According to a 1999 examination, Mr. Cummings' right eye 
was removed in 1993, and he wears a prosthesis. The vision in his left 
eye is 20/20 with glasses. According to his optometrist, ``Mr. Cummings 
has sufficient vision to drive a commercial vehicle.''
    Richard Cummings holds an Indiana Chauffeur's License. He has 
driven straight trucks for 8 years and tractor-trailer combinations for 
14 years for a total of over 1 million miles. His official driving 
record for the past 3 years reflects no traffic violations and no 
accidents in any vehicle.

8. Daniel R. Franks

    Mr. Franks, 33, has operated straight trucks and tractor-trailer 
combinations for approximately 15 years. Because he suffered a retinal 
detachment in his right eye in 1991, Mr. Franks is unable to meet the 
vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
    A 1999 examination by an ophthalmologist reveals Mr. Franks's best-
corrected vision in his left eye is 20/20. In the ophthalmologist's 
opinion, Mr. Franks has sufficient vision to operate a CMV safely.
    Mr. Franks holds an Ohio CDL. He has driven straight trucks more 
than 750,000 miles and tractor-trailer combinations more than 300,000 
miles, and his official driving record for the past 3 years contains no 
traffic violations or accidents in a CMV.

9. William L. Frigic

    Mr. Frigic, 55, has amblyopia in his right eye. A 1999 examination 
indicates Mr. Frigic has 20/20 corrected vision in his left eye and 
light perception in his right eye. According to the optometrist, Mr. 
Frigic ``can perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial 
vehicle.''
    Mr. Frigic holds an Ohio CDL. He has driven straight trucks and 
tractor-trailer combinations during a 32-year career. He has driven 
straight trucks nearly 960,000 miles and tractor-trailer combinations 
1.35 million miles during that period. His official State driving 
record reveals no traffic citations or accidents in a CMV in the last 3 
years.

10. Curtis Nelson Fulbright

    Mr. Fulbright, 57, had a metallic foreign body in his left eye in 
1966 that was removed, but resulted in the development of a cataract 
that was also removed, followed by a retinal detachment. Vision in the 
left eye is light perception and 20/20 corrected in the right eye, 
according to a 1999 examination. His ophthalmologist states, ``Mr. 
Fulbright is fully capable of performing the driving tasks required to 
operate a commercial vehicle.''
    Curtis Fulbright has a North Carolina CDL. He has 35 years 
experience operating tractor-trailer combinations and has driven a CMV 
over 3.5 million miles. His official State driving record reveals no 
traffic citations or accidents in any vehicle in the past 3 years.

11. Victor Bradley Hawks

    Mr. Hawks, 36, has been employed as a commercial truck driver for 
14 years driving tractor-trailer combinations. According to his 
optometrist, Mr. Hawks has amblyopia in his left eye. As a result, he 
cannot meet the vision requirement of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
    A December 1998 medical report indicates Mr. Hawks's best corrected 
vision is better than 20/25 in the right eye. In the optometrist's 
opinion, Mr. Hawks' ``has sufficient visual ability to perform 
commercial driving tasks in question.''
    He has driven tractor-trailer combinations for more than 1.8 
million miles. Mr. Hawks holds a North Carolina CDL, and his driving 
record for the past 3 years reflects no traffic violations and no 
accidents in a commercial vehicle.

12. Vincent I. Johnson

    Mr. Johnson is a 71-year-old individual who is blind in his right 
eye as the result of an injury at the age of approximately five years. 
He has 20/20 vision in his left eye, according to a 1999 examination. 
The ophthalmologist who conducted the examination indicates Mr. Johnson 
has sufficient vision to drive a CMV.
    Mr. Johnson has a 53-year career operating straight trucks more 
than 300,000 miles. He holds a District of Columbia CDL and has had no 
traffic violations or accidents in any vehicle in the past 3 years.

13. Myles E. Lane, Sr.

    Mr. Lane is a 63-year-old individual who has operated CMVs for over 
40 years. He has amblyopia in the left eye. Because of this condition, 
Mr. Lane is unable to meet the vision requirement in 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(10).
    A 1999 examination reveals Mr. Lane has 20/20 corrected vision in 
his right eye and 20/400 vision in his left eye. The optometrist who 
conducted the examination states Mr. Lane is ``visually able to safely 
operate a commercial motor vehicle.''
    Mr. Lane holds a Kentucky CDL with hazardous materials and tank 
vehicles endorsements. He has driven straight trucks and tractor-
trailer combinations approximately 3.4 million miles. His official 
driving record for the past 3 years contains no moving violations and 
no accidents.

14. Dennis J. Lessard

    Mr. Lessard, 37, has a 12-year history of a macular scar in his 
right eye which limits his central vision. According to a 1999 
examination, the vision in his left eye is 20/20 with glasses. His 
ophthalmologist says Mr. Lessard has sufficient vision to perform the 
tasks necessary to operate a CMV.
    Mr. Lessard holds an Indiana CDL with tank vehicle and hazardous 
materials endorsements. He has 19 years' experience driving tractor-
trailer combination vehicles. His official State driving record 
contains no traffic violations and no accidents in any vehicle in the 
past 3 years. Mr. Lessard has driven for Ronwal Transportation, Inc., 
full-time since 1985 except for a 9-month period in 1994. The company's 
vice president says, ``With his excellent safety habits, work history 
and driving record, we feel that Mr. Dennis J. Lessard is an asset to 
us and to the Truck Transportation Industry.''

15. Jon G. Lima

    Mr. Lima, 50, has been blind in his right eye since 1954 due to 
trauma. The vision in his left eye was 20/20 corrected in a 1999 
examination. His ophthalmologist says, ``Mr. Lima, in my opinion, has 
sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a 
commercial vehicle.''
    Jon Lima holds an Illinois CDL. He has 20 years' experience driving 
straight trucks and 10 years' experience driving tractor-trailer 
combinations. His official State driving record contains no traffic 
violations and no accidents in any vehicle in the past 3 years.

16. Richard L. Loeffelholz

    Mr. Loeffelholz, 45, has a small central scotoma in his right eye 
due to an injury he suffered in 1992. He cannot meet the Federal vision 
requirement, as a result. Mr. Loeffelholz' best corrected vision in his 
right eye is 20/400 and 20/20 in his left eye, according to a 1999

[[Page 54951]]

examination. According to the ophthalmologist, Mr. Loeffelholz' 
``visual acuity is sufficient to perform the tasks required to operate 
a commercial vehicle.''
    Mr. Loeffelholz holds a Wisconsin CDL with a tank vehicle 
endorsement. He has 27 years' experience operating straight trucks and 
10 years' experience operating tractor-trailer combinations. He has 
driven these CMVs approximately 2 million miles. His official State 
driving record reveals no traffic violations and one accident in a 
commercial vehicle. Mr. Loeffelholz was not at fault in the accident 
and no citation was issued to him. The driver of the other vehicle was 
cited for failure to yield right of way.

17. Herman Carl Mash

    Mr. Mash, 51, is missing his right eye and wears a prosthesis as 
the result of trauma in the 1960s. His vision in the left eye is 20/20, 
according to a 1999 examination. His ophthalmologist states, ``I 
certify that in my profession(al) opinion Mr. Mash has sufficient 
vision to perform the driving test required to operate a commercial 
vehicle in the state of North Carolina and in interstate commerce.''
    Herman Carl Mash holds a North Carolina CDL. He has driven tractor-
trailer combination vehicles for 14 years and over 1 million miles. His 
official State driving record reveals no traffic citations or accidents 
in a CMV in the last 3 years.

18. Joseph M. Porter

    Mr. Porter, 36, has an amblyopic right eye. A 1999 examination 
indicates the vision in his left eye is 20/20 with glasses. The 
optometrist says, ``Mr. Porter will have no visual reason not to 
operate a motor vehicle, commercial and otherwise.''.
    Mr. Porter has a Minnesota CDL. He has driven straight trucks for 
18 years and approximately 360,000 miles and tractor-trailer 
combination vehicles approximately 300,000 miles. There are no traffic 
violations or accidents in any vehicle in the past 3 years on his 
official driving record.

19. Richard Rankin

    Mr. Rankin, 32, has been blind in his left eye since childhood. A 
1999 medical examination indicates that he has 20/20 acuity in his 
right eye.
    According to his ophthalmologist, the vision in his right eye is 
``completely stable'' and the visual field is full in his right eye. In 
the ophthalmologist's opinion, Mr. Rankin ``has done well with vision 
just out of his right eye'' and can perform the tasks necessary to 
operate a CMV.
    Mr. Rankin has been a professional truck driver for 4 years and has 
driven straight trucks approximately 100,000 miles. He holds an Ohio 
CDL, and a review of his State driving record indicates no moving 
violations and no accidents in any vehicle in the last 3 years.

20. Robert G. Rasicot

    Mr. Rasicot, 58, has amblyopia in his left eye. A December 1998 
examination indicates the best corrected vision in his right eye is 20/
20. His optometrist says, ``It is my medical opinion that Robert G. 
Rasicot has sufficient vision to safely perform the driving tasks 
required to operate a commercial vehicle.''
    Mr. Rasicot has a Florida CDL. He has driven straight trucks and 
tractor-trailer combinations for 34 years. He has driven straight 
trucks over one million miles and tractor trailer combinations over 
650,000 miles. His official State driving record for the past 3 years 
contains no traffic violations and no accidents in a CMV.

21. A. W. Schollett

    Mr. Schollett, 52, has operated CMVs for 25 years. His right eye 
was removed as the result of an accident approximately 40 years ago, 
and he is, therefore, unable to meet the vision requirement in 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(10).
    A 1999 examination by the optometrist reveals Mr. Schollett has 20/
15 vision in his left eye with correction. In the optometrist's 
opinion, Mr. Schollett has sufficient vision to operate a CMV.
    A.W. Schollett holds a Colorado CDL. He has driven straight trucks 
and tractor-trailer combinations for over 1 million miles, and his 
official driving record for the past 3 years reveals no accidents and 
no traffic violations in any vehicle.

22. Melvin B. Shumaker

    Mr. Shumaker, 58, has amblyopia in his left eye. Because of this 
condition, he is unable to meet the Federal vision standard in 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(10). An optometrist examined Mr. Shumaker in December 1998, 
and found his best corrected vision is 20/200 in the left eye and 20/20 
in the right eye. According to the optometrist, Mr. Shumaker's 
condition ``is certifiably stable and his vision is sufficient for 
driving commercial vehicles (CMV).''
    Melvin Shumaker has operated tractor-trailer combinations for 40 
years and over 4 million miles. He holds a Florida CDL, and his 
official driving record for the past 3 years reflects no moving 
violations and no accidents in a CMV.

23. Clark H. Sullivan

    Mr. Sullivan, 50, has been blind in his left eye since 
approximately 1974 due to trauma. A 1999 examination by an 
ophthalmologist revealed the vision in his right eye to be 20/20 with 
or without correction. He wears a prosthesis in the left eye. The 
ophthalmologist stated Mr. Sullivan ``will be safe to drive'' a CMV.
    Mr. Sullivan holds a Louisiana CDL. He has operated tractor-trailer 
combinations for 30 years and approximately 2.4 million miles. His 
official State driving record reflects no traffic citations and no 
accidents for the past 3 years.

24. Wayland O. Timberlake

    Mr. Timberlake, 30, suffered a retinal detachment 17 years ago in 
his right eye due to previous trauma. A 1999 medical examination 
indicates he has 20/20 minus one vision in his left eye. In the 
ophthalmologist's opinion, Mr. Timberlake has sufficient vision to 
operate a CMV.
    Wayland Timberlake holds a Texas CDL with a tank vehicle 
endorsement. He has driven tractor-trailer combinations more than 
500,000 miles over the last 5 years, and his official driving record 
for the past 3 years contains no accidents and no violations in any 
vehicle.

25. Norman R. Wilson

    Mr. Wilson, 51, has a congenital visual defect in his left eye and 
his visual acuity is finger counting. Therefore, he cannot meet the 
vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
    He has 20/20 vision in his right eye, according to a 1999 
examination. The ophthalmologist who conducted the examination asserts 
Mr. Wilson has sufficient vision to drive a CMV.
    Mr. Wilson has an Oregon CDL with a tank vehicle endorsement. He 
has driven straight trucks for 24 years and tractor-trailer 
combinations for 20 years. His official State driving record for the 
past 3 years contains no accidents in any vehicle and one traffic 
violation for ``Failure to obey a sign/traffic control device'' while 
driving a CMV.

26. Larry M. Wink

    Mr. Wink, 43, has been a commercial driver for 25 years. He has 
amblyopia in his right eye. His corrected visual acuity is 20/60 in his 
right eye. Therefore, Mr. Wink is unable to meet the vision requirement 
in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
    A 1999 examination revealed Mr. Wink has 20/20 vision in his left 
eye with glasses. According to the

[[Page 54952]]

optometrist, ``he has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks 
required to operate a commercial vehicle.''
    Larry Wink holds a Kentucky CDL with a passenger transportation 
endorsement. He has driven tractor-trailer combination vehicles 
approximately 440,000 miles, straight trucks more than 625,000 miles, 
and buses 4,000 miles. There is one accident in a commercial vehicle on 
his official driving record in the past 3 years. Mr. Wink was stopped 
at a traffic light when he was struck from behind. He was not issued a 
citation for that accident. No moving violations in a commercial 
vehicle in the last 3 years were found on his record.

27. Jeffrey G. Wuensch

    Mr. Wuensch, 34, has amblyopia in his left eye. A 1999 examination 
by an optometrist revealed the vision in his right eye to be 20/20 with 
correction. The optometrist stated Mr. Wuensch ``has sufficient vision 
to perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial 
vehicle.''
    Mr. Wuensch holds a Wisconsin CDL with a hazardous materials 
endorsement. He has operated tractor-trailer combinations for eight 
years and 200,000 miles. His official State driving record reflects no 
traffic citations and no accidents in any vehicle for the past 3 years.

28. Jon H. Wurtele

    Mr. Wurtele, 60, has operated CMVs for 42 years. He is blind in the 
right eye due to an accident approximately 40 years ago and therefore 
cannot meet the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
    A 1999 examination indicates Mr. Wurtele has visual acuity in his 
left eye of 20/20 uncorrected. His optometrist states ``I can see no 
reason why he would not be able to drive a commercial vehicle as long 
as he has the proper accessories such as outside mirrors.''
    Jon Wurtele has a Nebraska CDL. He has driven straight trucks and 
tractor-trailer combination vehicles for 42 years and approximately 3.5 
million miles. His official State driving record reveals no accidents 
or citations for a moving violation in any vehicle for the past 3 
years.

29. Walter M. Yohn, Jr.

    Mr. Yohn, 28, suffered trauma in his left eye in 1993 and is 
visually impaired, as a result. Because of this eye condition, Mr. Yohn 
is unable to meet the Federal vision requirement. He has 20/20 
corrected vision in his right eye, according to a 1999 examination. In 
his optometrist's opinion, Mr. Yohn has ``sufficient vision to perform 
the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.''
    Walter M. Yohn holds an Alabama CDL. He has been a professional 
truck driver for 7 years operating straight trucks. His official State 
driving record contains no moving violations and no accidents in any 
vehicle in the last 3 years.

30. Steven H. Heidorn

    Mr. Heidorn, 56, has been employed as a commercial truck driver for 
forty years. He holds an Indiana Chauffeurs License, and has driven 
straight trucks over 320,000 miles and tractor trailer combination 
vehicles over 2.25 million miles. He has been blind in the left eye 
since 1995, as the result of a retinal detachment. His optometrist 
states that his condition is stable and should not lessen his ability 
to operate any vehicle. His official driving record contains no 
accidents or citations of any kind.

31. James Donald Simon

    Mr. Simon, 42, is blind in his left eye and wears a prosthesis due 
to an injury suffered when he was a child. The vision in his right eye 
is 20/20 without correction, according to a 1999 examination. His 
optometrist says he has sufficient vision to operate a commercial 
vehicle.
    James Simon holds a Florida CDL. He has driven tractor-trailer 
combinations over 890,000 miles and straight trucks nearly 750,000 
miles. His official driving record contains one moving traffic 
violation in the past 3 years. In 1997, Mr. Simon was convicted of a 
non-serious speeding violation in a commercial vehicle.

32. William A. Bixler

    Mr. Bixler, 48, is blind in his right eye as the result of an 
injury which took place in 1955. A 1998 medical report indicates he has 
20/20 vision in his left eye without correction. In his optometrist's 
opinion, Mr. Bixler is capable of operating a CMV, because ``he has 
adapted his head turning ability to compensate for the loss in his 
visual field.''
    William Bixler has 23 years' experience operating straight trucks 
and 4 years' experience operating tractor-trailer combinations, 
accumulating almost 1.15 million miles. He has a Pennsylvania CDL and 
his official driving record reveals no traffic citations or accidents 
in any vehicle in the past 3 years.

33. Woodrow E. Bohley

    Mr. Bohley is a 35 year-old individual who has operated buses for 
13 years. Because he has amblyopia in his left eye, Mr. Bohley is 
unable to meet the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
    A 1999 examination by the optometrist reveals Mr. Bohley's best 
corrected vision in his right eye is 20/20, and no pathological 
conditions were detected during this examination. In the optometrist's 
opinion, Mr. Bohley has adequate vision to operate a CMV safely.
    Mr. Bohley holds a Missouri commercial driver's license (CDL). He 
has driven more than 455,000 miles, and his official driving record for 
the past 3 years contains no accidents or traffic violations in any 
vehicle.

34. George L. Silvia

    Mr. Silvia, 44, is blind in his left eye due to an injury suffered 
30 years ago. A 1999 medical examination indicates that he has 20/25 
uncorrected acuity in his right eye and 20/100 acuity in his left eye. 
According to his optometrist, ``Mr. Silvia has sufficient vision to 
operate a commercial vehicle and he has no medical conditions which 
would compromise his visual field.''
    Mr. Silvia has been a professional truck driver for 25 years and 
has driven tractor-trailer combinations more than 625,000 miles. He 
holds a North Carolina CDL. A review of his State driving record 
indicates no moving violations and no accidents in any vehicle in the 
last 3 years.

35. Martin Postma

    Mr. Postma, 45, has been employed as a commercial truck driver for 
20 years. He has 20/400 vision in his left eye due to amblyopia and 
therefore cannot meet the vision requirement of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
    A 1999 examination indicates Mr. Postma has 20/20 corrected visual 
acuity in his right eye. According to his optometrist, ``Mr. Postma has 
developed all the skills necessary to adapt'' to his condition and the 
examination ``demonstrates all the skills necessary to operate a 
commercial vehicle.''
    Mr. Postma holds an Illinois CDL. He has driven tractor-trailer 
combination vehicles for 20 years and over 1.7 million miles. His 
official driving record for the past 3 years reflects no traffic 
violations and no accidents in any vehicle.

36. Steven L. Valley

    Mr. Valley, 48, has no central vision in his left eye due to a 
central retinal vein occlusion. A 1999 examination indicates the best 
corrected vision in his right eye is 20/20+. His optometrist says, that 
his condition ``has and should remain stable. Thus, I would state that

[[Page 54953]]

Mr. Valley is quite capable of performing his commercial vehicle 
driving tasks as he has in the past.''
    Mr. Valley has a Maine CDL. He has driven straight trucks for 8 
years and tractor-trailer combinations for 5 years, accumulating over 
400,000 miles. His official State driving record for the past 3 years 
contains no traffic violations and no accidents in a CMV.

37. Phillip P. Smith

    Mr. Smith, 43, has been employed as a commercial bus driver for 21 
years. According to his optometrist, Mr. Smith has amblyopia in his 
right eye and his best corrected visual acuity in right eye is finger 
counting at 15 feet. As a result, he cannot meet the vision requirement 
of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
    A 1999 medical report indicates Mr. Smith's best corrected vision 
is 20/20-1 in the left eye. In the optometrist's opinion, Mr. Smith's 
``central vision is excellent OS (left) and the field of vision is a 
full 180 degrees OU (both eyes), (therefore) I see no reason that his 
vision should cause any undo risk for commercial or personal driving to 
himself or to others.''
    He has driven buses for more than 315,000 miles. Mr. Smith holds a 
Kentucky CDL, and his driving record for the past 3 years reflects no 
traffic violations and one accident in a commercial vehicle. Mr. Smith 
was not charged with any violation in the accident, and there were no 
injuries.

38. Robert W. Nicks

    Mr. Nicks, 47, has been employed as a commercial truck driver for 
28 years, driving straight trucks as well as tractor-trailer 
combinations. He has amblyopia in his right eye. Mr. Nicks has 20/20 
corrected vision in his left eye. In the optometrist's opinion, Mr. 
Nicks has sufficient vision to safely operate a commercial vehicle. Mr. 
Nicks holds a New York CDL. He has driven commercial vehicles more than 
1 million miles. His official driving record for the past 3 years 
reflects no traffic violations and no accidents in any vehicle.

39. Frank T. Miller

    Mr. Miller, 50, has a long-standing central scar in his left eye, 
leaving visual acuity in that eye of 20/100. A 1999 examination by an 
optometrist revealed the vision in his right eye to be 20/20 with or 
without correction. The optometrist stated Mr. Miller's ``condition is 
stable, and I see no reason that he should not be able to safely 
operate a commercial motor vehicle.''
    Mr. Miller holds an Ohio CDL. He has operated tractor-trailer 
combinations for 25 years. His official State driving record reflects 
no accidents in a CMV for the past 3 years. His record does show 2 
speeding violations in a commercial vehicle in the last 3 years. Both 
were non-serious violations, under 15 mph over the posted speed limit.

40. Roger Allen Dennison

    Mr. Dennison, 62, has been driving straight trucks approximately 
50,000 miles per year for the past 30 years. Mr. Dennison holds an 
Illinois CDL. He has ambyopia in his left eye. His vision is 
correctable to 20/30 in the right eye. According to his optometrist, 
Mr. Dennison has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks 
required to operate a CMV. His official driving record shows no 
accidents or citations in a commercial vehicle.

Basis for Preliminary Determination To Grant Exemptions

    Independent studies support the principle that past driving 
performance is a reliable indicator of an individual's future safety 
record. The studies are filed in FHWA Docket No. FHWA-97-2625 and 
discussed at 63 FR 1524, 1525 (January 9, 1998). We believe we can 
properly apply the principle to monocular drivers because data from the 
vision waiver program clearly demonstrate the driving performance of 
monocular drivers in the program is better than that of all CMV drivers 
collectively. (See 61 FR 13338, March 26, 1996.) That monocular drivers 
in the waiver program demonstrated their ability to drive safely 
supports a conclusion that other monocular drivers, with qualifications 
similar to those required by the waiver program, can also adapt to 
their vision deficiency and operate safely.
    The 40 applicants represented here have qualifications similar to 
those possessed by drivers in the waiver program. Their experience and 
safe driving record operating CMVs demonstrate that they have adapted 
their driving skills to accommodate their vision deficiency. Since past 
driving records are reliable precursors of the future, there is no 
reason to expect these individuals to drive less safely after receiving 
their exemptions. Indeed, there is every reason to expect at least the 
same level of safety, if not a greater level, because the applicants 
can have their exemptions revoked if they compile an unsafe driving 
record.
    For these reasons, the FHWA believes exempting the individuals from 
49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) is likely to achieve a level of safety equal to, 
or greater than, the level that would be achieved without the exemption 
as long as vision in their better eye continues to meet the standard 
specified in Sec. 391.41(b)(10). As a condition of the exemption, 
therefore, the FHWA proposes to impose requirements on the individuals 
similar to the grandfathering provisions in 49 CFR 391.64(b) applied to 
drivers who participated in the agency's former vision waiver program.
    These requirements are: (1) That each individual be physically 
examined every year (a) by an ophthalmologist or optometrist who 
attests that vision in the better eye meets the standard in 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(10), and (b) by a medical examiner who attests the individual 
is otherwise physically qualified under 49 CFR 391.41; (2) 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 (3) that each individual provide a copy of the annual 
medical certification to his or her employer for retention in its 
driver qualification file or keep a copy in his or her driver 
qualification file if he or she becomes self-employed. The driver must 
also have a copy of the certification when driving so it may be 
presented to a duly authorized Federal, State, or local enforcement 
official.
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), the proposed 
exemption for each person will be valid for 2 years unless revoked 
earlier by the FHWA. The exemption will be revoked if: (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. 31315 and 
31136. If the exemption is effective at the end of the 2-year period, 
the person may apply to the FHWA for a renewal under procedures in 
effect at that time.

Request for Comments

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), the FHWA is 
requesting public comment from all interested persons on the exemption 
petitions and the matters discussed in this notice. All comments 
received before the close of business on the closing date indicated 
above will be considered and will be available for examination in the 
docket room at the above address. Comments received after the closing 
date will be filed in the docket and will be considered to the extent 
practicable, but the FHWA may issue exemptions from the vision 
requirement to the 40 applicants and publish in the Federal Register a 
notice of final determination at any time after the close of the

[[Page 54954]]

comment period. In addition to late comments, the FHWA will also 
continue to file in the docket relevant information which becomes 
available after the closing date. Interested persons should continue to 
examine the docket for new material.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 31136 and 31315; 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 
1.48.

    Issued on: September 29, 1999.
Kenneth R. Wykle,
Federal Highway Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-26284 Filed 10-7-99; 8:45 am]
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