Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/85435
SPONSORED INFORMATION gov, where you can go for more information about the rule. At that time, health care professionals, drivers, employers, law enforcement officers and the public can review the training standards and sign up to receive updates on the rule's startup. Health professionals must comply by May 21, 2014, at which point drivers must obtain any medical examination from a certified examiner. Medical examiners who fail to maintain federal standards will be removed from the registry. To allow time for testing and training centers to prepare their curricula and receive FMCSA approval, healthcare professionals seeking to become certified examiners will begin registering on the National Registry website this summer. "Truck and bus drivers deserve highly-trained medical examiners that think safety first," said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. "By holding medical examiners accountable to high standards of practice, we raise the bar for safety and save lives through increased commercial driver and vehicle safety." Medical examiners perform approximately three million examinations of commercial truck and bus drivers each year. A DOT medical exam looks at a range of conditions to determine a driver's medical fitness, including cardiovascular disease, respiratory and muscular functions, vision and hearing. — Todd Dills Veteran Owner-Operator Relies on Mobil Delvac to Get the Job Done "Use high quality brands, like Mobil Delvac, not just in your engine, but throughout your entire truck," says Henry Albert, 30-year veteran owner-operator. Born and raised in Bryn Mawr, Pa., and now a resident of Statesville, N.C., Henry Albert has been trucking for almost 30 years. Since being named Overdrive magazine's Trucker of the Year in 2007, Albert has been one of four drivers who tell their stories from the road as part of Freightliner's Slice of Life program. Recently, we caught up with Albert while he was taking a break from the road. Q: What kind of truck do you drive and what routes do you run? Albert: I drive a 2011 Freightliner Cascadia, powered by a Detroit Diesel DD15 with about 175,000 miles on it. I run a semi-dedicated route from Charlotte, N.C., to Laredo, Texas. Q: How did you get interested in trucking? Albert: When I was young I wanted to be a railroad engineer. Eventually, I decided that trucking was more my speed. Q: What does it take to be successful in this industry? Albert: Watch your bottom line and always show up well dressed and with clean equipment. You need to represent your customer when you show up. Having my wife Karen at home to help run the business has also been a key to my success. Q: What maintenance advice would you share with younger drivers? Albert: Use high quality brands, like Mobil Delvac, not just in your engine, but throughout your entire truck. Keeping up on maintenance is so important. My previous truck still runs and it has close to a million miles running Mobil Delvac. Remember you're only as good as the horse that's under you. Q: What do you do to keep busy when you're not on the road? Albert: I enjoy riding ATVs and dirt biking. I try to spend as much time with my wife and son Austin, as possible. My son just got his driver's license. It's a diff erent experience to be on the passenger side when he's behind the wheel. I taught him a lot about safe driving and, I am happy to say, it seems like he's listened well. I also volunteer with Trucker Buddy International by visiting elementary schools to educate kids about trucking. © 2012 Exxon Mobil Corporation. All trademarks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries unless indicated otherwise. mobildelvac.com MAY 2012 OVERDRIVE 17 Circle 175 on Reader Service Card or visit overdrive.hotims.com