Action
Notice of application for exemption; request for comments.
Summary
FMCSA requests public comment on an application for exemption from Atwood Forest Products, Inc. (Atwood) to allow the use of a camera system installed at the sides and rear of up to 15 of its commercial motor vehicles (CMV) in lieu of rear-vision mirrors as specified in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). Section 393.80 of the FMCSRs currently requires every bus, truck, and truck tractor to be equipped with two rear-vision mirrors, one at each side, firmly attached to the outside of the motor vehicle, and so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear along both sides of the vehicle. All such mirrors must, at a minimum, meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 111 in effect at the time the vehicle was manufactured. The exemption would enable Atwood to install the camera system on its vehicles for use in an evaluation study, in a location that will offer the best opportunity to optimize data to evaluate the safety and economic benefits of eliminating outside mirrors.