For years we've gotten by with so called DOT physicals. In some ways for some of us they were a blessing. Passing it kept us working, taking care of our families and providing a valuable service. For some that should have been caught and had medical treatment it’s too late. We’ve all seen it on the news or passed by accident sites where a driver had a medical emergency, lost control causing an accident where innocent people we hurt or killed.
It's past time that some attention is finally being focused on this problem. Since we as a profession won't police ourselves, someone has to do it for us. Of course we never like the way they do it. But hey we asked for it by not taking simple steps to correct the problem.
Eventually the government is going to crack down on the ones that get the "if you’re walking, talking and have a heart beat you pass" type of physicals we’ve all taken for years. Monetary fines and jail time are going to be the rule and not the exception.
Eventually the Doctors are going to be in court right along with the drivers and companies when these accidents happen because of a medical problem that should have kept a driver at home. I think that any new laws should go a step farther and include ALL drivers and new medical guidelines should be set for everyone not just CDL holders. Some of us shouldn't be driving at all because our health isn’t good enough to pass a simple physical but we are simply because we are passing the so called” DOT Physical” that is administered currently.
I passed them for years without my hearing problem being caught simply because no one really checks your hearing closely. In all the years I’ve been driving I’ve only had two doctors catch it, both ordered more testing and passed me because my other senses had enhanced enough to make up for my hearing loss. I do wear hearing aids now as much as I hate them, but wearing them may save someone’s life.
We ALL have a responsibility to take better care of ourselves. If we don’t do it for ourselves we should for the ones that we love.
There’s another problem that we are seeing since we’re living longer and that’s senior citizens that shouldn’t be driving. I think ALL senior citizens drivers should be required to take specialized testing in addition to the regular driver testing. I know you’ve seen on the news were some senior citizen drove through a building, drove through a crows because of a mistake that a younger driver most likely wouldn’t have made. Or the worst nightmare of all, senior citizens that were confused and drove down the wrong side of the road. We all know the odds of surviving a head on collision are slim to non existent.
It'll hurt some drivers in because they won't be able to pass the new physical requirements. Those are the ones that need to be off the road receiving the right medical care to get their health problems under control. That just might save their life along with others.
Just like anything else the government talks about this change won’t be fast. We’ll all have plenty of time to get our health problems under control. Those that can’t will have time to figure out what their new profession is going to be As with anything there will be some that fall through he cracks causing more pain for the families involved. Make sure that you aren’t one of them.
Happy Trails NW
Tags: Health Problems Heart Physicalstruck Ers
