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Oct 1, 2003 12:00 PM

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) said it will issue exemptions to certain insulin-using diabetic truck drivers from the diabetes mellitus prohibitions contained in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR).

FMCSA said exemptions will be granted to applicants who meet the specific conditions and comply with all requirements of the exemption, and for no longer than two years. Those drivers may apply to FMCSA for a renewal under procedures in effect at that time.

The agency established the current standard in 1970 because several risk studies indicated that diabetic drivers had a higher rate of accident involvement than those of the general population.

FMCSA's new view is that physical qualification standards should be based on sound medical, scientific, and technological grounds, and that individual determinations should be made to the maximum extent possible consistent with the agency's responsibility to ensure safety on the nation's highways.