By Lawanda Burch


A Department of Transportation is normally charged with making the roads safer for travelers and truckers alike. One of the ways they do this is by making sure the drivers of the big trucks on the highway are healthy enough to perform their duties and will not become a hazard to those they are sharing the road with. A driver who wishes to either obtain or hold onto their commercial drivers license with have to pass a DOT physical. They will be checked to make sure their physical condition is good enough to be put in charge of vehicles that could cause a lot of damage if they are involved in an accident.

Having good eyesight is important when one is driving down the highway. People who cannot see well might not notice a problem up ahead and end up causing a collision. Bad eyesight will not stop anyone from getting a license provided they take corrective action like having laser surgery done or getting a pair of glasses.

One of the first things that will be checked on a driver is their blood pressure. High blood pressure can create problems for a driver. They could end up losing their license or be denied to get a license.

A little higher than normal blood pressure reading will normally result in a obtaining certification for about a year. Those who have levels that are above this can expect to be tested again in a few months to see if their levels have gone done. High pressure levels will often result in the driver losing their license. A person can be retested once they get their pressure 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 are diabetic present some concerns for Department of Transportation officials. An operator who is controlling their condition through the use of oral medications or exercise can usually still work. However, a person who needs to inject insulin to control blood sugars will often have to retire and find another job.

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.

The health of a driver is of great concern for agencies acting as caretakers for the highways. They will make an operator go through a DOT physical to check for certain conditions that could negatively affect a drivers ability to handle a tractor trailer. Failing the tests does not always mean that a driver cannot operate a vehicle anymore, but they will probably have to seek medical attention to correct any health concerns that are noticed during the examination.




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