A DOT Physical Helps To Keep The Roads Safe To Travel

By Lawanda Burch


There are a lot of trucks on the roads today that transfer products and goods to stores and consumers in almost every country. Many places allow a Department of Transportation to oversee the trucking industry to make sure the vehicles and drivers are safe. People who wish to obtain a commercial drivers license, or CDL, to operate the big vehicles usually have to pass a DOT physical to get the license and to keep it. The physicals are designed to ensure that a vehicle operator does not have health issues that could affect their ability to control the truck and avoid hazardous conditions. The agencies are especially concerned that the drivers do not cause a problem if they suffer a heart attack or go into a diabetic shock.

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.

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.

A person should expect to have their sugar levels checked. This is done to determine is one has developed a case of diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes has been known to cause people to become unconscious without much warning. People suffering from a bout of high sugar levels have also been known to become disoriented and not know what is happening around them. Both conditions can be hazardous when driving a vehicle.

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.

The status of the cardiovascular system of a person is also of prime concern for transportation agencies. Someone who is suffering from congestive heart failure is not the best candidate to be licensed to operate heavy vehicles. Stress tests can help determine the state of any cardiovascular diseases to alert an agency to any potential problems.

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.




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