[Federal Register: November 4, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 213)]
[Notices]               
[Page 62494-62495]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04no03-104]                         

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

 
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

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

ACTION: Notice of denials.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FMCSA announces that 77 individuals were denied exemptions 
from the Federal vision standards applicable to interstate truck 
drivers and the reasons for the denials. The FMCSA has statutory 
authority to exempt individuals from vision standards if the exemptions 
granted will not compromise safety. The agency has concluded that 
granting these exemptions does not provide a level of safety that will 
equal or exceed the level of safety maintained without the exemptions 
for these commercial drivers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandra Zywokarte, Office of Bus and 
Truck Standards and Operations, (MC-PSD), 202-366-2987, Department of 
Transportation, FMCSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-
0001. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), FMCSA may grant an exemption 
from the Federal vision standard for a renewable 2-year period if it 
finds such an exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is 
equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent 
such an exemption. (49 CFR 391.41(b)(10))
    Accordingly, FMCSA evaluated 77 individual exemption requests on 
their merits and made a determination that these applicants do not 
satisfy the criteria established to demonstrate that granting an 
exemption is likely to achieve an equal or greater level of safety that 
exists without the exemption. Each applicant has, prior to this notice, 
received a letter of final disposition on his/her individual exemption 
request. Those decision letters fully outlined the basis for the denial 
and constitute final agency action. The list published today summarizes 
the agency's recent denials as required under 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(4) by 
periodically publishing names and reason for denials.
    The following 44 applicants lacked sufficient recent driving 
experience over three years:

Atkins, Jr., Eugene
Baysinger, Joseph A.
Blackwell, Deryl C.
Bradford, Michael R.
Brown, Richard
Brown, Thomas D.
Cross, Richard
Diederich, Thomas E.
Doney, John M.
DuBois, Paul E.
Gellerman, Mark W.
Gillis, Reginal
Goucher, Newell D.
Johnson, Kerry
Knaack, John S.
Lydick, Eugene R.
Maples, Frank
McCormick, James M.
McKinney II, Roy J.
Mills, Fred
Murtha, Barry I.
Negulescu, Daniel S.
Palazzolo, Vincent
Parker, Rodney R.
Peck, Gregory A.
Peters, Randy W.
Pryor, Scott A.
Rabalais, Jason A.
Rissler, Wayne R.
Schwarzrock, Steve M.
Silbernagel, Warren T.
Somers, Michael E.
Stambaugh, Gary W.

[[Page 62495]]

Stoffel, James E.
Tyler, Mark D.
Walker, Ronald L.
Wallencheck, Ronald J.
Ware, Roy J.
Wells, Bryson
Wilcox, William R.
Wilkinson, Sonya D.
Williams, Michael E.
Wos, Aloysius R.
Yoxall, Slade W.

    The following 10 applicants do not have 3 years of experience 
driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) on public highways with the 
vision deficiency:

Clark, Edgar E.
Dinguss, Kenneth A.
Emerson, Craig M.
Lomison, James E.
Morgan, Tim R.
Roberson, Terry L.
Turner, Emerson J.
Vega, Rudolfo A.
Wojtalik, William
Wollam, Robert J.

    The following 5 applicants do not have 3 years recent experience 
driving a CMV with the vision deficiency:

Carter, Jr., Jerry D.
Hilby, Glen G.
Johnson, Rufus R.
McCabe, William S.
Morgan, Paul

    One applicant, Mr. Gayle G. Olson, does not have sufficient 
peripheral vision in the better eye to qualify for an exemption.
    Four applicants' licenses were suspended during the 3-year period 
because of a moving violation. Applicants do not qualify for an 
exemption with a suspension during the 3-year period:

Gooden, Sr., Ernest H.
Hyatt, William D.
Keller, Clarence R.
Rodriquez, Erik J.

    The following 7 applicants contributed to accidents in which 
applicants were operating a CMV. Applicants contributing to an accident 
during the 3-year period are disqualified for an exemption.

Biller, Michael R.
Cameron, George C.
McAlheney, Leland K.
Mero, Garth R.
Paschal, Eddie L.
Sandlin, Dwayne L.
Small, Edward F.

    Four applicants do not hold licenses that allow operation of 
vehicles over 10,000 pounds for all or part of the 3-year period:

Compton, Jeffrey C.
Ives, Bobby J.
Jones, Elmer C.
McKneely, Ellis T.

    Finally, 2 applicants, Mr. Juan Aldama and Mr. Zibbie Lee Dawsey 
were denied vision exemptions for multiple reasons.

    Issued on: October 28, 2003.
Pamela M. Pelcovits,
Acting Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development.
[FR Doc. 03-27608 Filed 11-3-03; 8:45 am]