If you have been following the news recently, then you probably know that the trucking industry made the headlines again with reports about 'medically unfit' drivers.
The following was reported by the Associated Press:
Medically unfit truck drivers still on roads
By HOPE YEN and FRANK BASS – July 21, 2008
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of tractor-trailer and bus drivers in the United States carry commercial driver's licenses despite also qualifying for full federal disability payments, and some of those drivers have suffered seizures, heart attacks or unconscious spells, according to a new U.S. safety study obtained by The Associated Press.
The problems threatening highway travelers persist despite years of government warnings and hundreds of deaths and injuries blamed on commercial truck and bus drivers who blacked out, collapsed or suffered major health problems behind the wheels of vehicles that can weigh 40 tons or more.
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. It's unclear whether any of the eight recommendations will be done before President Bush leaves office.
"We have a major public safety problem, and we haven't corrected it," said Gerald Donaldson, senior research director at the Washington-based Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, whose members include consumer, health and safety groups and insurance companies. "You have an agency that is favorably disposed to maintaining the integrity of the industry's economic situation."
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. Texas, Maryland, Georgia, Florida, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, Alabama, New Jersey, Minnesota and Ohio were states where drivers were sanctioned most frequently for breaking medical rules, such as failing to carry a valid medical certificate. Those 12 states accounted for half of all such violations in the United States. ( Read full story)
As always, we welcome your comments.
Trucker Buddy International Augments Leadership
Trucker Buddy International, Inc., an organization dedicated to helping educate and mentor school children by uniting professional drivers and classrooms, is pleased to announce that Doug Driscoll has been selected by the TBI Board of Directors to serve as Executive Director.
Driscoll brings 35 years of trucking industry experience to the organization, much of it spent in management positions within the industry. He will run the program from its new office located in Gig Harbor, Wash., focusing on fostering relationships within the trucking industry and running the day to day operations.
"Doug brings a lifetime of involvement with the trucking industry to our program," said Mark Taylor, President of Trucker Buddy and a driver for Wal-Mart Stores. "With his addition, I see a bright future for Trucker Buddy."
In addition, Trucker Buddy International announced its new officers - Peter Charboneau, of Over the Road Magazine, was named Vice President and Elisabeth Barna, of American Trucking Associations, was named Secretary. TBI President Mark Taylor, of Wal-Mart, and Treasurer Randy Schwartzenburg, of Truckers News, will remain the same.
"Trucker Buddy International is one of the premier organizations within the trucking industry," said Driscoll. "I feel it is an extremely valuable
tool to reach out to the community and make a meaningful experience for both students and drivers. I am excited to come on board."
Trucker Buddy International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping educate and mentor schoolchildren via a pen pal relationship between professional truck drivers and children in grades 2-8. Trucker Buddy matches classes of students with professional truck drivers. Every week drivers share news about their travels with their class. Once a month, students write letters to their drivers. Students' skills in reading, writing, geography, mathematics, social studies, and history are enhanced and learning is fun. Since 1992, Trucker Buddy has helped educate over a million schoolchildren and introduced them to caring, compassionate men and women, professional truck drivers. For more information on Trucker Buddy International go to http://www.truckerbuddy.org or call 1-800-MY-BUDDY.
Note New TBI Address:
Trucker Buddy International
P.O. Box 2114
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
If you recall, and we're sure you do, last time around we admitted that we were a little surprised by the results of the TruckDriver.com Second in Command Survey Part One. And we wondered if it was an Obama issue or a politics in general issue.
We wonder no more. It's politics in general, isn't it?
Once again, nearly 40% of you reported that you don't really care who John McCain will choose as a running mate.
Here are the results of The TruckDriver.com Second in Command Survey Part Two as we go to press:
Who will John McCain's running mate be in the 2008 Presidential Election?
Lindsey Graham 2%
Condoleeza Rice 8%
Mitt Romney 23%
Joe Lieberman 6%
Mike Huckabee 12%
Tom Ridge 4%
Rudy Guiliani 8%
Who knows? 13%
Who cares? 24%
With the election moving closer and the conventions coming soon, we should know who the running mates will be by the next edition of the e-Report. There may be announcements prior to us going to press this time - not that anyone cares.
As we reported above, a recent study claims to have found that thousands of truck drivers are issued and retain commercial driver's licenses even though they suffer major health problems.
Take the TruckDriver.com Medical Concerns Survey and let us know what you think.
Until next time, keep on truckin' and please drive safely.
Your Comments Are Always Welcome
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