Events Calendar
In This Section
Hospital connects to patients online
AutoZone to replace Blockbuster in West Akron
Gains in financials, material stocks lift market
Jobless claims indicate economy remains weak
Citigroup shuffles executives, former CFO leaving
GM, Chrysler fight reopening of closed dealerships
YRC, Teamsters reach tentative deal on concessions
Most Read Stories
Akron police investigate teen mob attack on family
Woman, 75, charged with beating fawn to death
Akron woman found dead at Brimfield Township store
Man shot outside his Akron home during robbery attempt
Man shot in back near Akron park
Tragic day puts man on path to be Pinnacle owner
Suspect sought in Portage Path bar robbery
Blogs:
Pets:
Dogs' Bark: Not fair! Study shows pups get jealous
The Heldenfiles:
Who Will Get the Michael Media Treatment Next?
Patrick McManamon:
More on Varejao
Akron Zips:
Opponent outlook: Kent State
Browns Bulletin:
Quick thought on Browns rookies
Tribe Matters:
Wedge challenges relievers
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth test showed marijuana
Kent State Sports:
Men's Basketball Scheduling update
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Andy’s Signed According to ESPN
All Da King's Men:
Does Medicare Have Lower Administrative Costs ?
Blog of Mass Destruction:
CIA Did Mislead Congress
Akron Law Café:
Breaking Story: CIA Lied to Congress about Secret Program
Varsity Letters:
East basketball update
See Jane Style:
Oh Baby!
Car Chase:
Where do We Go from Here?
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Closings….Not the Good Kind!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Margy inquires-when is a Taste of Hudson?
Sound Check:
LeVert II live performance Saturday night — "Dedication" album due July 13,
HRLite House:
DDI One of Best Places to Work
Akron Gamer:
First 24 'Guitar Hero 5' songs announced
Legislators to explore drug-testing solution
Published on Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008
Associated Press
WASHINGTON: Tractor-trailer and bus drivers in the United States have suffered seizures, heart attacks or unconscious spells behind the wheel, leading to deadly crashes on the highway. Hundreds of thousands of drivers carry commercial licenses, even though they also qualify for full federal disability payments, according to a new U.S. safety study.
The Government Accountability Office said 563,000 commercial drivers were determined by the Veterans Affairs Department, Labor Department or Social Security Administration to also be eligible for full disability benefits because of health issues
Investigators identified more than 1,000 drivers with vision, hearing or seizure disorders, which generally would prohibit a trucker from obtaining a valid commercial license.
The U.S. Transportation Department said 5,300 people died in crashes involving large commercial trucks or buses in
2006, the latest year for which figures are available, and about 126,000 more were injured.
The U.S. agency responsible for cracking down on unfit truckers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, acknowledges it hasn't completed any of eight recommendations that U.S. safety regulators have proposed since 2001. One would set minimum standards for officials who determine whether truckers are medically safe to drive. Another would prevent truckers from ''doctor shopping'' to find a physician who might overlook a risky health condition.
Truckers violating federal medical rules have been caught in every state, according to a review by the AP of 7.3 million commercial driver violations compiled by the Transportation Department in 2006, the latest data available. Drivers in Ohio and 11 other states were sanctioned most frequently for breaking medical rules, such as failing to carry a valid medical certificate.
Congress may take action soon. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, led by Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., will conduct oversight hearings Thursday. One proposal would create a clearinghouse for drug test results for commercial truck drivers to make it easier for employers to conduct checks.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
