Quote:
Originally Posted by GMAN
You can fail the medical and still possess a standard drivers license. Most accidents involve cars and only about 20% of accidents involving trucks are the fault of truckers. You can have a standard drivers license without having to pass a medical exam. I just don't see that there should be a difference in whether one group must be medically qualified and another not. It would be interesting to see how many accidents are the result of a medical issue. This is another issue that the feds should prove the necessity in regards to safety in order to keep the ruling. There is already a lawsuit because of the sleep apnea studies. Some drivers are being forced to pay for a sleep apnea test in order to be able to work, even with no proof of the driver having a problem. It has become big business. Don't get me wrong. I think it is probably a good idea for most people to have an annual checkup just to make sure there are no physical issues lurking about. I am just not sure drivers should be forced to have a government sanctioned physical every two years.
You know as well as I do why.. most cars are not hauling 40 tons of other people's property.. There has been more and more calls over the last few years for truckers to have no standards other than what the four wheelers get to do.. it's just sad.. but in America I expect nothing more.. higher standards are simply too bothersome for Americans anymore.. MOST people (four wheelers) get more regular sleep, exercise, and eat better than most truck drivers..but if you think there should be no higher standards for professional drivers, I'd say that it is the norm for people these days.