Document ID: FMCSA-2006-25246-0022
Agency: fmcsa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Renewals; Vision
Posted Date: 2009-10-19T04:00Z

[Federal Register: October 19, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 200)]
[Notices]               
[Page 53583]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19oc09-116]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-1998-4334; FMCSA-2000-7165; FMCSA-2002-13411; FMCSA-
2005-20560; FMCSA-2006-25246; FMCSA-2007-27897]

 
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Renewals; Vision

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

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA previously announced its decision to renew the 
exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Regulations for 44 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to 
exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions 
granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that 
granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that will be 
equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without 
the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Director, Medical 
Programs, (202)-366-4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W64-224, Washington, 
DC 20590-0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Electronic Access

    You may see all the comments online through the Federal Document 
Management System (FDMS) at http://www.regulations.gov.

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption 
for a 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.'' The statute also allows the 
Agency to renew exemptions at the end of the 2-year period. The comment 
period ended on September 18, 2009.

Discussion of Comments

    FMCSA received no comments in this proceeding.

Conclusion

    The Agency has not received any adverse evidence on any of these 
drivers that indicates that safety is being compromised. Based upon its 
evaluation of the 44 renewal applications, FMCSA renews the Federal 
vision exemptions for Eddie Alejandro, John W. Black, III. John A. 
Bridges, Eddie M. Brown, Edward G. Brown, Edwin L. Bupp, Charles E. 
Castle, Joel C. Conrad, Duane C. Conway, Brian W. Curtis, Roger D. 
Davidson, Sr., Richard A. Davis, Sr., Robin C. Duckett, Marco A. 
Esquivel, Tomie L. Estes, Raymond L. Herman, Jesse R. Hillhouse, Jr., 
Billy R. Holdman, Ray C. Johnson, Terry R. Jones, Randall H. Keil, 
James A. Kneece, Paul G. Mathes, John T. McWilliams, Robert A. Miller, 
Stuart T. Miller, James J. Mitchell, Andrew M. Nurnberg, Kenneth R. 
Pedersen, Joshua R. Perkins, Ronald F. Prezzia, Eligio M. Ramirez, 
Victor C. Richert, Garry L. Rogers, Craig R. Saari, Jerry L. Schroder, 
Gerald J. Shamla, Timothy L. Shorey, William C. Smith, Larry D. 
Steiner, Robert S. Swaen, Anthony T. Truiolo, Gregory A. VanLue, and 
Kevin W. Wunderlin.
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each renewal 
exemption will be valid for 2 years unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. 
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. 31136 and 31315.

    Issued on: October 6, 2009.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E9-25070 Filed 10-16-09; 8:45 am]

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