OOIDA Foundation says FMCSA's own figures don't support need

[D.H.]

Oh really! This article states that "the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s own statistics don’t support the 'sudden' need for increased scrutiny in the form of a new federal regulation."

It's not "sudden," it's long overdue!

[chunkyfrog]

What article?

[JimW159]

OOIDA Foundation (alternate spelling: lobbying group)
See:
http://www.ooida.com/OOIDA%20Foundation/index.asp
Specifically, second paragraph

[DreamStalker]

What article?

I'm guessing this one?

http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Story/OO ... papnearule

[linuxman]

Apparently the actual whitepaper is something you have to request, so I can't see the text of it. However, if the data does not show any significant correlation between historical trucking accidents and OSA, than I think they're correct in their position. Taking actions that will cost a huge amount of money without any real benefit is not a good use of limited resources and certainly not something that should be levied upon private entities without a very good reason. If you're going to regulate at all, those regulations should make a real difference in truck safety. Making a regulation just because it sounds good just costs businesses money without improving anything.

[Wrinkles]

28 years in the business, and we are getting regulated to death. Wages are down (again ) and
the FMCSA and DOT are just meddling.
Our new restrictive "list" of approved Medical 'professionals'
that we can see for our DOT physicals is a joke. That was one thing that they did get on the books as law.
But ask them or challenge them on a Sleep Apnea rule, and they will hem & haw, sidestep the issue or try and bullshit you into thinking that if THEY decide, you HAVE to go through testing, ( $) and get certified ( more $) to be able to keep your CDL.
Granted, there are plenty of folks I see that I honestly wonder how they even physically fit in a truck, let alone really do their job. I don't advocate the truck stop medical examiners that rubber stamp their med cards. But if this was such an issue really- it would be as plain as plugging it in to the controlled substance rules and guidelines. No it's not drugs- but IS IT a health issue worth them regulating? Decide yes or no then and make the rules.
But I STILL want anyone to show me proof in ANY rule, law, or regulation that bin force and enforced concerning drivers with SA. It isn't there.
Seriously, somewhere along the line I believe someone thought it would be a good idea to create this confusion in the industry just to generate traffic into the Dr offices and Insurance companies. It's a money generator designed to prop up their meddling in healthcare.

I'm only about a week into my own OSA therapy myself, probably had SA for years but am finally getting the treatment I need. I was educated that this is a real thing , and maybe I'll be able to salvage a good bit of my quality of life. But too many times we get different agencies fiddling around with an issue instead of actually dealing with it, simply because of beauracacy. Between Obamacare and my diagnosis and it's effect on my professional career, I'm finished- I can look forward to a life left to indentured servitude to my medical bills.