In the U.S., traffic accidents involving commercial motor vehicles resulted in more than 32 thousand deaths and over two million injuries in in 2011¹. In an effort to improve highway safety, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has called for new regulations for medical examiners who conduct physical examinations for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

Understanding the New Interstate Safety Regulation

During a driver’s physical examination, medical examiners look for more than just the basic physical requirements for operating a CMV. They must verify that drivers possess strong vision and hearing and have no medical history that would interfere with safe driving. The examiners also confirm that the driver has no diagnosis for substance abuse and takes no medication or substance that would interfere with their driving².

The DOT’s new regulation will ensure that the medical examiners are well prepared to test for these specific criteria. Effective May 21, 2014, medical examiners need to complete training and pass a test verifying their understanding of the physical qualification standards for CMV drivers. They will also need to maintain and demonstrate competence through periodic training and testing. Drivers are required to get their physicals from a physician who has completed the training, passed the necessary tests and been listed to the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.

How this Affects the Community

CMV drivers spend a considerable amount of time on the road – much more than the average American. By ensuring the health of these drivers, the DOT aims to reduce traffic accidents involving commercial motor vehicles and improving interstate safety.

Interstates serve as the lifeblood of many communities. Just consider how many people commute along I-476 through Delaware County every day. If you are one of those commuters, think about how many traffic accidents you see each week. When you consider this scale, it becomes clear that improving highway safety has a direct impact on improving the overall health of a community.

It is for this reason that every physician at Crozer-Keystone’s Centers for Occupational Health has received certification to perform physical exams for CMV drivers.

Scheduling a Physical Examination

If you are a commercial motor vehicle driver looking to schedule a physical examination, please contact our Centers for Occupational Health at one of the locations listed below.

Works Cited

1. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). (2014, February 28). Physical Qualifications for Drivers. Retrieved from http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=391.41
2. U.S. Department of Transportation. (2013, March). Commercial Motor Vehicle Facts. Retrieved March 2013, from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/facts-research/CMV-Facts.pdf

About Crozer Keystone Staff

Crozer-Keystone Health System’s physicians, specialists and advanced practitioners are committed to improving the health of our community through patient-centered, quality care across a full continuum of health services. Crozer Brinton Lake is Crozer-Keystone’s comprehensive outpatient care facility in western Delaware County, offering primary care, specialty services, outpatient surgery and advanced cancer treatment. Contact us: 300 Evergreen Drive, Glen Mills, PA 19342 http://www.crozerkeystone.org/Brinton-Lake 1-855-254-7425

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