Stricter Health Testing for Commercial Drivers in Nevada

January 12, 2013

Stricter health testing for commercial drivers in Nevada

It's important for all drivers to be safe and healthy, but the risks are even higher when it comes to individuals who drive commercial vehicles like trucks and buses. The health of commercial drivers can make the difference between safe transportation and an accident resulting in the serious injury or death of many other drivers on the road. A recent rule from the Department of Transportation tightens the requirements that must be met in order for commercial drivers to pass health tests.

New requirements for health testing

Commercial drivers are already required to have physical exams to ensure that they are safe to conduct their jobs without posing too many risks. The new DOT rule states that medical examiners will need to be trained and certified on the specific needs and health risks that are relevant to commercial drivers in particular. The certification process will be administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and will include training on the physical demands of driving. The physical examination is a test that all commercial drivers must take every two years in order to maintain their certification through the DOT to drive commercially.

Staying safe with trucks on the road

The new DOT regulation is great news for driver safety because health care professionals will be more able to effectively identify issues that might cause unsafe driving. While the government is doing what it can to ensure safe roads with commercial drivers on them, there are also some steps that everyday drivers can take to protect themselves in the presence of large trucks and buses.
-Don't cut in front of large trucks; it can take them longer to slow down or come to a stop.

-Look for a truck's mirrors and be aware of the driver's blind spots. If you can't see the mirrors of a truck, then truck driver probably can't see you either.

-Avoid tailgating and leave plenty of room between you and any other vehicle on the road.

Legal help after an accident

Safety tips are important to keep in mind and can hopefully prevent many accidents from ever occurring. But, accidents do happen, and if you or someone you know has been injured because of a commercial driver's negligence, contact a personal injury lawyer.

Crashes involving commercial vehicles can be devastating. Commercial entities can be found liable for such accidents if they let unsafe individuals operate commercial vehicles. You may be able to recover substantial financial compensation for being the victim of such an accident. Contact an experienced Nevada attorney to find out more about legal options when injured due to the negligence of a commercial truck driver in Nevada.

Article provided by Jason Cook Attorney P.C.
Visit us at http://www.jasoncookattorney.com