Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Stoneridge, Inc. Application for an Exemption

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requests public comment on an exemption application from Stoneridge, Inc. (Stoneridge) to allow motor carriers to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) with the company's MirrorEyeTM Camera Monitor System (CMS) installed as an alternative to the two rear-vision mirrors required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). Stoneridge explained that it has developed, tested and manufactured the CMS to improve CMV safety by providing driver with an enhanced field of view around the cab of the truck. The company states that its MirrorEyeTM CMS meets the performance requirements provided for conventional mirrors under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)'s standards which are cross-referenced by the FMCSRs. Stoneridge believes the exemption would maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption because CMS meets or exceeds the performance requirements for traditional mirrors.