Safety Performance of Drivers With Medical Exemptions: How Safe Are Drivers in a Medical Exemption Program Compared to Those Who Are Not?: Analysis Brief

https://doi.org/10.21949/15029002016PDFTech ReportRRA-16-019bCommercial driversHuman factors in crashesTraffic safetyHighway safetyDriver performanceExemptionMedical exemptionsUnited StatesUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Motor Carrier Safety AdministrationUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Motor Carrier Safety AdministrationUnited States Federal Motor Carrier Safety AdministrationFor commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, safety performance depends not only on the condition of the vehicle being driven but also on the driver\u2019s ability to operate it. Because factors such as stopping time and distance, blind spots, and limited maneuverability pose greater challenges for the driver of a large truck or bus than for drivers of other vehicles, it is crucial that all large truck and bus drivers be in good medical condition for driving. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established medical exemption programs to safeguard against the employment of large truck and bus drivers who may have conditions that could compromise their driving ability and, ultimately, affect their safety and the safety of others on the road. Checking the success of these programs is essential to ensuring everyone\u2019s safety on the road.84