[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 5, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16662-16664]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06720]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-1999-5748; FMCSA-1999-6156; FMCSA-2001-11426; FMCSA-
2003-16564; FMCSA-2005-22194; FMCSA-2005-23099; FMCSA-2006-23773; 
FMCSA-2006-24015; FMCSA-2006-24783; FMCSA-2007-0017; FMCSA-2007-0071; 
FMCSA-2007-29010; FMCSA-2008-0021; FMCSA-2009-0011; FMCSA-2009-0291; 
FMCSA-2010-0050; FMCSA-2010-0082; FMCSA-2011-0379; FMCSA-2012-0040; 
FMCSA-2012-0104; FMCSA-2012-0106; FMCSA-2013-0166; FMCSA-2013-0174; 
FMCSA-2014-0002; FMCSA-2014-0003; FMCSA-2014-0004; FMCSA-2014-0005; 
FMCSA-2014-0006]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 88 
individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle 
(CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these individuals to continue to 
operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision 
requirement in one eye.

DATES: Each group of renewed exemptions was effective on the dates 
stated in the discussions below and will expire on the dates stated in 
the discussions below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, 
Medical

[[Page 16663]]

Programs Division, 202-366-4001, [email protected], 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., 
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. Electronic Access

    You may see all the comments online through the Federal Document 
Management System (FDMS) at: http://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to  http://www.regulations.gov and/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.
    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.

II. Background

    On December 29, 2016, FMCSA published a notice announcing its 
decision to renew exemptions for 88 individuals from the vision 
requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) to operate a CMV in interstate 
commerce and requested comments from the public (81 FR 96196). The 
public comment period ended on January 30, 2017, and two comments were 
received.
    As stated in the previous notice, FMCSA has evaluated the 
eligibility of these applicants and determined that renewing these 
exemptions would achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater 
than the level that would be achieved by complying with the current 
regulation 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
    The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding vision 
found in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) states that a person is physically 
qualified to driver 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 a 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 red, green, and 
amber.

III. Discussion of Comments

    FMCSA received two comments in this preceding. Amy Schindler stated 
that she believes granting these exemptions are potentially unsafe. As 
discussed in section II of this notice, FMCSA has evaluated the 
eligibility of these applicants and determined that renewing these 
exemptions would achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater 
than the level that would be achieved by complying with the current 
regulation 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). Whitney-Rose Levis is in favor of 
granting the exemptions, but states that the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Regulations should be updated to allow monocular drivers to 
operate without having to renew an exemption.

VI. Conclusion

    As of July 8, 2016, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 
31315, the following 40 individuals have satisfied the conditions for 
obtaining a renewed exemption from the vision requirements (64 FR 
40404; 64 FR 66962; 66 FR 63289; 67 FR 10471; 67 FR 19798; 68 FR 64944; 
69 FR 19611; 70 FR 57353; 70 FR 67776; 70 FR 72689; 71 FR 26602; 72 FR 
58362; 72 FR 64273; 72 FR 67340; 72 FR 67344; 73 FR 1395; 73 FR 6242; 
73 FR 15254; 73 FR 15567; 73 FR 16950; 73 FR 27015; 73 FR 27017; 74 FR 
62632; 74 FR 65842; 74 FR 65845; 75 FR 9477; 75 FR 9482; 75 FR 14656; 
75 FR 19674; 75 FR 20881; 75 FR 27621; 75 FR 28684; 76 FR 70215; 77 FR 
7233; 77 FR 10606; 77 FR 13689; 77 FR 17115; 77 FR 23799; 77 FR 23800; 
77 FR 27847; 77 FR 27849; 77 FR 33558; 77 FR 38386; 78 FR 62935; 78 FR 
64280; 78 FR 76395; 79 FR 1908; 79 FR 10606; 79 FR 14328; 79 FR 14331; 
79 FR 14333; 79 FR 14571; 79 FR 17641; 79 FR 18390; 79 FR 18392; 79 FR 
22000; 79 FR 22003; 79 FR 23797; 79 FR 27365; 79 FR 27681; 79 FR 28588; 
79 FR 29495; 79 FR 29498; 79 FR 38649):

Guy M. Alloway (OR)
Roger E. Anderson (TX)
Alan A. Andrews (NE)
William C. Christy (FL)
David F. Cialdea (MA)
Gerard J. Cormier (MA)
Travis C. Denzler (MN)
Barent H. Eliason (MO)
Sean O. Feeny (FL)
Paul W. Fettig (SD)
Hector O. Flores (MD)
Brian R. Gallagher (TX)
Todd C. Grider (IN)
Jimmy G. Hall (NC)
Taras G. Hamilton (TX)
Donald W. Holt (MA)
William D. Jackson (MN)
Darryl J. Johnson (MN)
Gregory R. Johnson (SC)
Glenn K. Johnson, Jr. (NC)
John Lucas (NC)
Albert E. Malley (MN)
Steven Martin (IL)
Charles E. Meis (TX)
Carlos A. Mendez-Castellon (VA)
Michael R. Moore (MD)
Charles R. Morris, Jr. (OH)
Hassan Ourahou (KY)
James M. Nohl (MN)
Enoc Ramos III (TX)
Jamey D. Reed (OK)
Christopher A. Reineck (OH)
James T. Rohr (MN)
Joe Sanchez (TX)
James S. Seeno (NV)
Steven S. Smith, Jr. (PA)
Thomas L. Tveit (SD)
Kevin R. White (NC)
Richard W. Wylie (CT)
Steven E. Young (MO)
    The drivers were included in one of the following docket Nos: 
FMCSA-1999-5748; FMCSA-2001-11426; FMCSA-2005-22194; FMCSA-2007-0017; 
FMCSA-2007-0071; FMCSA-2007-29019; FMCSA-2008-0021; FMCSA-2009-0291; 
FMCSA-2010-0050; FMCSA-2012-0040; FMCSA-2012-0104; FMCSA-2013-0166; 
FMCSA-2013-0174; FMCSA-2014-0002; FMCSA-2014-0003; FMCSA-2014-0004; 
FMCSA-2014-0005. Their exemptions are effective as of July 8, 2016, and 
will expire on July 8, 2018.
    As of July 12, 2016, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 
31315, the following 7 individuals have satisfied the conditions for 
obtaining a renewed exemption from the vision requirements (71 FR 4194; 
71 FR 13450; 73 FR 15255; 75 FR 9481; 75 FR 20882; 75 FR 22178; 75 FR 
25917; 75 FR 25918; 75 FR 39729; 77 FR 15184; 77 FR 27847; 77 FR 27850; 
77 FR 36338; 77 FR 38386; 79 FR 35220):

Walter M. Brown (SC)
Chadwick S. Chambers (AL)
William C. Dempsey, Jr. (MA)
Miguel H. Espinoza (CA)
Ricky P. Hastings (TX)
Leland B. Moss (VT)
Markus Perkins (LA)

    The drivers were included in one of the following docket Nos: 
FMCSA-2005-23099; FMCSA-2009-0011; FMCSA-2010-0082; FMCSA-2011-0379; 
FMCSA-2012-0104. Their exemptions are effective as of July 12, 2016, 
and will expire on July 12, 2018.
    As of July 20, 2016, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 
31315, the following 17 individuals have satisfied

[[Page 16664]]

the conditions for obtaining a renewed exemption from the vision 
requirements (64 FR 5948; 65 FR 159; 67 FR 10471; 67 FR 10475; 67 FR 
19798; 68 FR 74699; 69 FR 8260; 69 FR 10503; 69 FR 19611; 70 FR 57353; 
70 FR 72689; 71 FR 6824; 71 FR 6828; 71 FR 6829; 71 FR 14567; 71 FR 
19604; 71 FR 26602; 71 FR 30229; 71 FR 32183; 71 FR 41310; 73 FR 11989; 
73 FR 15567; 73 FR 27017; 73 FR 27018; 73 FR 28187; 73 FR 36955; 75 FR 
36778; 75 FR 36779; 77 FR 38384; 79 FR 35212; 79 FR 35218; 79 FR 
47175):

Delmas C. Bergdoll (WV)
Kenneth J. Bernard (LA)
Harvis P. Cosby (MD)
Daniel R. Franks (OH)
Walter D. Hague, Jr. (VA)
William G. Hix (AR)
Timothy B. Hummel (KY)
Clarence H. Jacobsma (IN)
Charles E. Johnston (MO)
Aaron C. Lougher (OR)
William F. Mack (WA)
Patrick E. Martin (WA)
Leland K. McAlhaney (IN)
Ronald M. Price (MD)
Scott D. Russell (WI)
Alton M. Rutherford (FL)
Sandra J. Sperling (WA)

    The drivers were included in one of the following docket Nos: 
FMCSA-1999-6156; FMCSA-2001-11426; FMCSA-2003-16564; FMCSA-2005-22194; 
FMCSA-2006-23773; FMCSA-2006-24015; FMCSA-2006-24783; FMCSA-2008-0021; 
FMCSA-2014-0006. Their exemptions are effective as of July 20, 2016, 
and will expire on July 20, 2018. As of July 22, 2016, and in 
accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, the following 15 
individuals have satisfied the conditions for obtaining a renewed 
exemption from the vision requirements (79 FR 35212; 79 FR 47175):

Abdulahi Abukar (KY)
Gregory K. Banister (SC)
Amanuel W. Behon (WA)
Kenneth W. Bos (MN)
Brian L. Elliot (MO)
Bradley C. Hansell (OR)
Samuel L. Klaphake (MN)
Timothy L. Klose (PA)
Phillip E. Mason (MO)
Kenneth A. Orrino (WA)
Ruel W. Smith (SD)
Loren Smith (SD)
Seth D. Sweeten (ID)
Ronald L. Weiss (MN)
John T. White, Jr. (NC)

    The drivers were included in docket No. FMCSA-2014-0006. Their 
exemptions are effective as of July 22, 2016, and will expire on July 
22, 2018.
    As of July 30, 2016, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 
31315, the following 9 individuals have satisfied the conditions for 
obtaining a renewed exemption from the vision requirements (71 FR 
32183; 71 FR 41310; 73 FR 36955; 75 FR 25917; 75 FR 36779; 75 FR 39729; 
77 FR 33017; 77 FR 36338; 77 FR 38384; 77 FR 44708; 79 FR 37843; 79 FR 
38661):

Dale W. Coblentz (MT)
Lester M. Ellingson, Jr.
Damon G. Gallardo (CA)
Daniel L. Grover (KS)
James E. Modaffari (OR)
Larry A. Nienhaus (MI)
Gregory A. Reinert (MN)
Scott J. Schlenker (WA)
Joseph B. Shaw, Jr. (VA)

    The drivers were included in one of the following docket Nos: 
FMCSA-2006-24783; FMCSA-2010-0082; FMCSA-2012-0106. Their exemptions 
are effective as of July 30, 2016, and will expire on July 30, 2018.
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315, each exemption will be valid 
for two 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 and 
31315.

    Issued on: March 29, 2017.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2017-06720 Filed 4-4-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P