Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes

AGENCY:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of applications for exemptions from the diabetes standard; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 29 individuals for exemptions from the prohibition against persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals with ITDM to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before April 30, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Docket ID FMCSA-2008-0071 using any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line 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., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
• Fax: 1-202-493-2251.

Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket ID for this Notice. Note that DOT posts all comments received without change to http://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal information included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading below.

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., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The FDMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. If you want acknowledgment that we received your comments, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or postcard or print the acknowledgement page that appears after submitting comments on-line.

Privacy Act: Anyone may search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or of the person signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78; Apr. 11, 2000). This information is also available at http://Docketinfo.dot.gov.

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:

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 statutes also allow the Agency to renew exemptions at the end of the 2-year period. The 29 individuals listed in this notice have recently requested an exemption from the diabetes prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3), which applies to drivers of CMVs in interstate commerce. Accordingly, the Agency will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant to determine whether granting the exemption will achieve the required level of safety mandated by the statutes.

Qualifications of Applicants

Gary D. Coonfield

Mr. Coonfield, age 45, has had ITDM since 2003. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Coonfield meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) from Wisconsin.

Edward F. Connole

Mr. Connole, 53, has had ITDM since 2007. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Connole meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Massachusetts.

Jason C. Daily

Mr. Daily, 37, has had ITDM since 1990. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Daily meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class C operator's license from New Hampshire.

Mark B. Demmer

Mr. Demmer, 44, has had ITDM since 2006. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Demmer meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Washington.

Francis W. Devine

Mr. Devine, 66, has had ITDM since 2007. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Devine meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from New Jersey.

Paul W. Dietz

Mr. Dietz, 45, has had ITDM since 2007. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Dietz meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Pennsylvania.

Harold W. Goodwill

Mr. Goodwill, 50, has had ITDM since 2003. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Goodwill meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class B CDL from Pennsylvania.

Shannon D. Hanson

Mr. Hanson, 37, has had ITDM since 1975. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Hanson meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has stable nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from South Dakota.

Craig A. Hendrickson

Mr. Hendrickson, 39, has had ITDM since 2007. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Hendrickson meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from Illinois.

Michael T. Johnson

Mr. Johnson, 34, has had ITDM since 1992. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Johnson meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from Minnesota.

Michael K. Limberg

Mr. Limberg, 54, has had ITDM since 1973. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Limberg meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has stable proliferative and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class O operator's license from Nebraska, which allows him to drive any non-commercial vehicle except motorcycles.

Maurice R. McGill, Jr.

Mr. McGill, 53, has had ITDM since 2001. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. McGill meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has stable nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class B CDL from Pennsylvania.

Aundra Menefield

Mr. Menefield, 50, has had ITDM since 2001. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Menefield meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from Mississippi.

Charles E. Murphy

Mr. Murphy, 46, has had ITDM since 2001. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Murphy meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Ohio.

Eric B. Pies

Mr. Pies, 44, has had ITDM since 1985. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Pies meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has stable nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class C operator's license from Oregon.

Douglas G. Puckett

Mr. Puckett, 65, has had ITDM since 2006. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Puckett meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Virginia.

Eric A. Quisling

Mr. Quisling, 37, has had ITDM since 1986. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Quisling meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Iowa.

James T. Rothwell

Mr. Rothwell, 38, has had ITDM since 1984. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Rothwell meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has stable nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from Tennessee.

Bob L. Rumble

Mr. Rumble, 61, has had ITDM since 2004. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Rumble meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Idaho.

Larry D. Schweisberger

Mr. Schweisberger, 55, has had ITDM since 2001. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Schweisberger meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class B CDL from Missouri.

Randy A. Shannon

Mr. Shannon, 44, has had ITDM since 2004. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Shannon meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Montana.

Dalton T. Smith, Jr.

Mr. Smith, 44, has had ITDM since 2004. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Smith meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Illinois.

Kim M. Stickelmeyer

Ms. Stickelmeyer, 53, has had ITDM since 2007. Her endocrinologist examined her in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of her diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Ms. Stickelmeyer meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). Her optometrist examined her in 2007 and certified that she does not have diabetic retinopathy. She holds a Class A CDL from Washington.

Marvin D. Webster

Mr. Webster, 44, has had ITDM since 2003. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Webster meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Kentucky.

Harold A. Wendt

Mr. Wendt, 72, has had ITDM since 2004. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Wendt meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A operator's license from Minnesota.

Donald D. Willard

Mr. Willard, 62, has had ITDM since 1982. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Willard meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Iowa.

Anthony O. Wilson

Mr. Wilson, 45, has had ITDM since 1985. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Wilson meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Georgia.

Travis S. Wolfe

Mr. Wolfe, 26, has had ITDM since 2006. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Wolfe meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from West Virginia.

Jason J. Wolff

Mr. Wolff, 34, has had ITDM since 1983. His endocrinologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Wolff meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from Minnesota.

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 received before the close of business on the closing date indicated in the dates section of the Notice.

FMCSA notes that section 4129 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requires the Secretary to revise its diabetes exemption program established on September 3, 2003 (68 FR 52441). The revision must provide for individual assessment of drivers with diabetes mellitus, and be consistent with the criteria described in section 4018 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (49 U.S.C. 31305).

Section 4129 requires: (1) The elimination of the requirement for three years of experience operating CMVs while being treated with insulin; and (2) the establishment of a specified minimum period of insulin use to demonstrate stable control of diabetes before being allowed to operate a CMV.

In response to section 4129, FMCSA made immediate revisions to the diabetes exemption program established by the September 3, 2003 Notice. FMCSA discontinued use of the 3-year driving experience and fulfilled the requirements of section 4129 while continuing to ensure that operation of CMVs by drivers with ITDM will achieve the requisite level of safety required of all exemptions granted under 49 USC. 31136 (e).

Section 4129(d) also directed FMCSA to ensure that drivers of CMVs with ITDM are not held to a higher standard than other drivers, with the exception of limited operating, monitoring and medical requirements that are deemed medically necessary. FMCSA concluded that all of the operating, monitoring and medical requirements set out in the September 3, 2003 Notice, except as modified, were in compliance with section 4129(d). Therefore, all of the requirements set out in the September 3, 2003 Notice, except as modified by the Notice in the Federal Register on November 8, 2005 (70 FR 67777), remain in effect.

The Agency announces a correction regarding Jonathan B. Estridge, a Federal diabetes exemption applicant who was first published in a notice for comments on February 1, 2008 (73 FR 6251). There were no comments to the docket regarding granting him an exemption but he was omitted from the notice of final disposition that was published on March 12, 2008. Therefore, he will be granted an exemption with an effective date of March 12, 2008.