A DOT Physical Helps To Keep The Roads Safe To Travel

By Lawanda Burch


Keeping the roads safe to travel normally falls on the Department of Transportation. There is a division within the agency that tries to ensure that the people who are operating the big trucks that move supplies across the country and within cities are healthy enough to perform the job without unnecessary complications. One of the practices they employ is by having drivers of the vehicles pass a DOT physical before they are giving a new certificate to keep on operating the big trucks. There are several health issues that the agency tends to be more concerned about than others and failure to pass some parts of the test can result in the driver becoming decertified to operate large vehicles.

One item that will be checked on a driver is their eyesight. A person has to see well in order to keep their vehicle on the road and avoid hazards. A truck operator should expect to have at least 20 over 40 visions in each eye. Those who eyes are weaker are often allowed to use glasses to correct their vision problems, but they will have to wear the glasses anytime they drive.

Blood pressure levels can also be a determining factor as to whether a person can receive a certificate to operate a truck on the open road. Those with normal pressure readings will be okay, but others might need to be concerned. High pressure readings can mean that one could be headed towards health complications.

What will happen to a driver with high blood pressure depends on high the pressure reading is. Those who are slightly higher can get a conditional license that can last anywhere from three months to a year. Those with very high levels might have to stay off the road until they get their pressure back under control.

Blood sugar levels can also indicate potential health problems that could affect the ability of a driver to operate a large truck. High readings normally indicate that a person has become a diabetic. Diabetes is a disease which can sneak upon a person and cause a wide range of complications with the health of a person. Some diabetics have been known to become disorientated or unconscious while driving.

Operators who have diabetes and are controlling it through prescriptions a medical doctor prescribes. The truck operator must be taking the prescriptions as prescribed can achieve their certification provided they are taking pills or oral medications. Those who are insulin dependent usually are disqualified from getting a certificate.

A driver will also be checked for heart disease. One should expect to have a stress test there are any signs their heart is not healthy. This does not mean they will not be able to drive anymore, but one might have to go on medication and be retested later.

A DOT physical is done for each driver to make sure they are healthy enough to operate trucks safely. The agencies want to make sure there are not any health problems that could affect their ability to do their job. Failure to pass the tests could interfere with their ability to continue on in their current occupation.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment