Fraudulent Medical Certificates for Commercial Drivers Becoming More Common

As reported last week by the Associated Press, a recent U.S. safety study showed that hundreds of thousands of commercial drivers should not be behind the wheel due to medical conditions. The Government Accountability Office determined that approximately 563,000 commercial drivers were eligible for full disability based on health issues.

More disturbing information regarding the health and safety of U.S. highways has just been released regarding fraudulent medical certificates for commercial drivers. An article on Sci-Tech Today.com highlights the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s study which found that, due to a lack of regulations and enforcement, it is “relatively easy” to get around the required physical examination for commercial drivers.

The study was based on a sampling of 614 commercial drivers stopped at roadside inspections in California, Illinois, and Ohio. Only 407 of the 614 medical examiners listed on the certificates could be verified. […]

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Recommendations to Keep Sick Truckers From Behind the Wheel Still Not Completed

Frightening new information regarding the safety of highway travelers has come to light. The Associated Press recently obtained a new U.S. safety study showing that hundreds of thousands of tractor-trailer and bus drivers with commercial licenses, who travel our nation’s highways everyday, are actually eligible for full federal disability.

The threats facing highway drivers are still a continued presence despite warnings and eight recommendations made by U.S. safety regulators beginning back in 2001. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, responsible for correcting the issues, has failed to complete any of these eight recommendations.

Every year, medical rules for truckers are violated all over the nation. The most recent information collected by the Transportation Department in 2006, shows Pennsylvania as one of the states where medical rules for commercial drivers were most frequently broken. The other states include: Texas, Maryland, Georgia, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Alabama, New Jersey, […]

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The Dangers of Drowsy Driving

Good Morning America did a report this morning on a Florida police officer that was fired after her onboard cam captured her veering all over the road, nearly clipping pedestrians and even hitting parked cars. Was the officer drunk behind the wheel? Nope, just tired.

You’d think that out of anyone on the road, a police offer could simply shake off the sleepiness and maintain control of the vehicle. You’d just have to open a window, or turn on the radio, right? Wrong! In fact, a survey conducted on drivers involved in sleep-related driving incidents showed the majority of drivers opened their windows and adjusted the radio, but still fell asleep behind the wheel.

Drowsy driving is impaired driving.

Turns out drowsy driving is dangerous, and a lot more widespread than previously thought. In that ABC report, 60% of us admit doing it, and 37% admit to actually having fallen asleep at the wheel! […]

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Cermak/Chinatown CTA Station Reopens After Deadly Tractor Trailer Crash

Authorities believe driver may have been under the influence of prescription drugs in tractor trailer crash

This was the scene a week ago, when a tractor-trailer plowed into the entrance of the Cermak/Chinatown Redline Station, killing 2 and injuring 21 in Chicago’s Southside.

Authorities are still trying to figure out what caused the tractor-trailer to slam into the pedestrian-laden area. Investigators believe the truck’s brakes either malfunctioned or were simply not used in the seconds before the crash.

The driver of the truck, who suffered minor injuries, refused a urine test at the scene and was found in possession of someone else’s prescription medication. He acted erratically once in police custody and refused to give a statement about the collision. He was cited for negligent driving, released from custody and is currently awaiting a court date.

Eyewitnesses on the scene reported seeing the driver exiting the freeway with his head down on the steering wheel. […]

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