Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/536679
HEALTH HELP 36 // OWNER OPERATOR // JULY 2015 Tougher FMCSA Medical Regulations A 2008 Government Accountability Office analysis of the driver medical certification process revealed that 4% of CDL holders in the DOT database were determined eligible for full federal disability benefits. Roughly 85% of that number had active licenses, and most were issued CDLs after federal approval of disability benefits. Following the analysis and sharp criticism from Congress, the FMCSA began a process of reforming its medical rules and regulations. In the past 7 years, they have created progres- sively tougher rules impacting drivers across the country. These rules include tougher regulations on which doctors are allowed to perform CDL medical exams. They also instituted new rules requiring interstate CDL holders to provide current copies of their medical examiner's certificates to their state driver licensing agen- cy. Trade Groups and Associations' Response Trade groups and associations have not been silent throughout this process. These groups have worked closely with truck drivers and the FMCSA to influence new rules and regu- lations affecting the trucking industry. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers As- sociation has provided a new online resource to help truck drivers identify quality DOT-cer- tified medical examiners. The new site contains a section emphasizing DOT exam prep, in which the association shares lessons learned from OOIDA members and regulators. The page advises that truckers visit their family physician at least 30 days ahead of their DOT physical, allowing time for potential testing. According to reports from Overdrive, Truck- ers for a Cause cofounder Bob Stanton calls such an approach a kind of "preventative maintenance" for a truck driver's medical cer- tification. The OOIDA is also currently working on a response to the FMCSA's recent bulletin to medical examiners on the sleep apnea con- dition. Currently, truckers' medical certifi- cations relative to sleep apnea remains the judgement of the examiner. In an interview with Overdrive, the OOIDA Regulatory Affairs Director Scott Grenerth said, "We are not happy that they are still not doing a proper rulemaking" to settle the de- tails of how the condition should be handled. GATS Health Commitment For truck driv- ers visiting the Great Ameri- can Trucking Show, there's good news. A new addition to the show floor is the Landstar's Fit for the Road Health and Wellness Pavilion. This new show addition allows truck drivers convenient access to a number of health and wellness related screenings, education, and products. The screenings serve to create a baseline for trucker health and allow them to better prepare for DOT physicals, which can potentially sideline them. A partnership between The Great American Trucking Show and Landstar, GATS is becom- ing an advocate for driver health and wellness. It's also a place for drivers to annually receive