How Important

[Autocar]

Do you think these medical cards for C.D.L.'s are. I got mine again the other day and started thinking about how many cars and pickups I meet on the roads and think they could have a health issuse and cross into my lane just as easy as me going into theres. They told me that next year there going to crack down even more and yes the price will go up also because the doctors need to be certified  .

[Ianab]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9jHcFlY76M

I think it's a good idea that heavy vehicle drivers are checked. It's about probability and consequences.

More probable because they spend more time on the road. More likely to stroke out behind the wheel if you spend 10 hours a day there, as opposed to one or 2 for non-commercial drivers. And the consequences are likely to be so much greater. Drive your pickup into a school bus, you kill yourself. Do the same with a truck and trailer... ?

Ian

Edit: Driver above had some sort of viral infection, had a coughing fit and fainted at the wheel. So a medical card would make no difference in that case. Main thing is does is ensure that you do see a Doc occasionally, and get a basic check up. It's not a guarantee you wont pass out, but it improves the odds.

[drobertson]

Man, this is a touchy subject for sure, it would mean that all professional drivers would have to have one. I agree, whether 30,000 ft in the air or a 80,000lb truck there are many liabilites, but from what I have seen up and down our interstates is a case of allot of dumb #@$$&$ causing most of the dangerous issues, just my opinion,  I am talking percentage wise of course.

[NWP]

My ticket from the DOT was $137 for not having a medical card. I paid the $75 and got mine. I can't believe some of these guys I see in the truck stop can pass the physical, but they aren't too in depth I guess.

[saltydog]

Well without incriminating anyone (me) i think there a good thing.I worked as a mechanic for my father in law at one time he owned over 90 long haul trucks. The drivers i seen come in the shop were (most)walking heart attacks.Most unhealthy people ive ever known.Then again i have a valid med card and i have only one eye (in mich you need two to drive big trucks and im narcoleptic. Mind you i have been off work for almost a year because im not safe to drive anything over 5 or 10 miles.

[Peter Drouin]

I have my card, I think it's all about money

[Tim Lea]

I also have mine and I think it is good to a degree. But it is getting to a jock on the cards & some of the so called CDL drivers u see these days..

[Autocar]

Saltydog your have to move to Ohio I only have one eye and another logger I know has only one. Here we can drive truck in fact my friend has won a number of truck rodeos in other states over the years. I don't want this to end up in the wood shed but , I guess I'll leave it at that  :.