Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2017/12/13/2017-26868.html
Timestamp: 2020-08-06 23:07:02
Document Index: 770146239

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 391', 'ART 391', '§ 391', 'art 391', 'ART 391', '§ 391']

Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders, 58680-58681 [2017-26868] :: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration :: Department Of Transportation :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders, 58680-58681 [2017-26868]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders, 58680-58681 [2017-26868]
Download as PDF 58680 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 13, 2017 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2011–0389; FMCSA– 2012–0094; FMCSA–2013–0107; FMCSA– 2014–0381; FMCSA–2015–0116] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of renewal of exemptions; request for comments. AGENCY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for six individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ‘‘no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.’’ The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. DATES: The exemptions were applicable on November 6, 2017. The exemptions expire on November 6, 2019. Comments must be received on or before January 12, 2018. 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 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. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA– 2011–0389; FMCSA–2012–0094; FMCSA–2013–0107; FMCSA–2014– 0381; FMCSA–2015–0116; 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 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:53 Dec 12, 2017 Jkt 244001 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 e.t., 365 days each year. If you want acknowledgment that we received your comments, please include a selfaddressed, 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. I. Background Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption for five years 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 twoyear period to align with the maximum duration of a driver’s medical certification. The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding epilepsy found in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8) states that a person is physically qualified to drive a CMV if that person has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause the loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV. In addition to the regulations, FMCSA has published advisory criteria to assist PO 00000 Frm 00093 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Medical Examiners in determining whether drivers with certain medical conditions are qualified to operate a CMV in interstate commerce. [49 CFR part 391, APPENDIX A TO PART 391— MEDICAL ADVISORY CRITERIA, section H. Epilepsy: § 391.41(b)(8), paragraphs 3, 4, and 5.] The six individuals listed in this notice have requested renewal of their exemptions from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8), in accordance with FMCSA procedures. Accordingly, FMCSA has evaluated these applications for renewal on their merits and decided to extend each exemption for a renewable two-year period. II. Request for Comments Interested parties or organizations possessing information that would otherwise show that any, or all, of these drivers are not currently achieving the statutory level of safety should immediately notify FMCSA. The Agency will evaluate any adverse evidence submitted and, if safety is being compromised or if continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA will take immediate steps to revoke the exemption of a driver. III. Basis for Renewing Exemptions In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each of the six applicants has satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition. The six drivers in this notice remain in good standing with the Agency, have maintained their medical monitoring and have not exhibited any medical issues that would compromise their ability to safely operate a CMV during the previous two-year exemption period. In addition, for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders, the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) and the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) are searched for crash and violation data. For non-CDL holders, the Agency reviews the driving records from the State Driver’s Licensing Agency (SDLA). These factors provide an adequate basis for predicting each driver’s ability to continue to safely operate a CMV in interstate commerce. Therefore, FMCSA concludes that extending the exemption for each renewal applicant for a period of two years is likely to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing without the exemption. As of November 6, 2017, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and E:\FR\FM\13DEN1.SGM 13DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 13, 2017 / Notices 31315, the following six individuals have satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers: Christopher Bird, (OH) Ronald Bohr, (IA) Michael Breitbach, (IA) William H. Brown, (NC) Joseph D’Angelo, (NY) Stephen Stawinsky, (PA) The drivers were included in docket numbers FMCSA–2011–0389; FMCSA– 2012–0094; FMCSA–2013–0107; FMCSA–2014–0381; FMCSA–2015– 0116. Their exemptions are applicable as of November 6, 2017, and will expire on November 6, 2019. IV. Conditions and Requirements V. Preemption sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES During the period the exemption is in effect, no State shall enforce any law or regulation that conflicts with this exemption with respect to a person operating under the exemption. VI. Conclusion Based upon its evaluation of the six exemption applications, FMCSA renews the exemptions of the aforementioned drivers from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41 (b)(8). In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each exemption 18:53 Dec 12, 2017 Jkt 244001 Issued on: December 6, 2017. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2017–26868 Filed 12–12–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2008–0355; FMCSA– 2014–0381; FMCSA–2014–0382] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of final disposition. AGENCY: The exemptions are extended subject to the following conditions: (1) Each driver must remain seizure-free and maintain a stable treatment during the two-year exemption period; (2) each driver must submit annual reports from their treating physicians attesting to the stability of treatment and that the driver has remained seizure-free; (3) each driver must undergo an annual medical examination by a certified Medical Examiner, as defined by 49 CFR 390.5; and (4) each driver must provide a copy of the annual medical certification to the employer for retention in the driver’s qualification file, or keep a copy of his/her driver’s qualification file if he/she is self-employed. The driver must also have a copy of the exemption when driving, for presentation to a duly authorized Federal, State, or local enforcement official. The exemption will be rescinded 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(e) and 31315. VerDate Sep<11>2014 will be valid for two years unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for five individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ‘‘no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.’’ The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. DATES: The exemptions were applicable on July 12, 2017. The exemptions expire on July 12, 2019. 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 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: SUMMARY: 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 PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 58681 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 August 22, 2017, FMCSA published a notice announcing its decision to renew exemptions for five individuals from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8) to operate a CMV in interstate commerce and requested comments from the public (82 FR 39945). The public comment period ended on September 21, 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)(8). The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding epilepsy found in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8) states that a person is physically qualified to drive a CMV if that person has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause the loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV. In addition to the regulations, FMCSA has published advisory criteria to assist Medical Examiners in determining whether drivers with certain medical conditions are qualified to operate a CMV in interstate commerce. [49 CFR part 391, APPENDIX A TO PART 391— MEDICAL ADVISORY CRITERIA, section H. Epilepsy: § 391.41(b)(8), paragraphs 3, 4, and 5.] III. Discussion of Comments FMCSA received two comments in this proceeding. Both comments supported FMCSA granting these exemptions. However, in one, the author believed that the exemption renewals should be granted, but, that frequent visits to relevant agencies would greatly slow down the process for no real additional benefits. FMCSA interprets this comment as referring to visits to the medical specialist as part of E:\FR\FM\13DEN1.SGM 13DEN1
[Pages 58680-58681]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26868]
[Docket No. FMCSA-2011-0389; FMCSA-2012-0094; FMCSA-2013-0107; FMCSA-
2014-0381; FMCSA-2015-0116]
SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for six
DATES: The exemptions were applicable on November 6, 2017. The
exemptions expire on November 6, 2019. Comments must be received on or
before January 12, 2018.
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2011-0389; FMCSA-2012-0094;
FMCSA-2013-0107; FMCSA-2014-0381; FMCSA-2015-0116; using any of the
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each of the six
exemption from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition. The six
As of November 6, 2017, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e)
31315, the following six individuals have satisfied the renewal
The drivers were included in docket numbers FMCSA-2011-0389; FMCSA-
2012-0094; FMCSA-2013-0107; FMCSA-2014-0381; FMCSA-2015-0116. Their
exemptions are applicable as of November 6, 2017, and will expire on
[FR Doc. 2017-26868 Filed 12-12-17; 8:45 am]