Changes coming to the DOT physical....

When do think the government will stop passing law for truck driver. I believe the last person responsible for transportation said every life it worth saving.

So when do people think the government is going to say, we don't need anymore new law for safety ? Sleep apnea from is relatively new idea. That Dr John guy that used to go on Satellite radio with Dave Nemo and he is also one of the doctors on the board that recommend new health stuff to the FMCA. That's is were the whole sleep apnea got started. You seem to forget the government does have power over commercial driver more then regular drivers. If the doctors keep telling the FMCA that SA is a problem. Even if they say this is a new thing or a new idea and they the doctors keep pushing it. Then it can become a new law if the FMCA also thinks it a new safety problem. That how SA goes from nothing to being the new big thing. When they find something else that could save lives they will probably push that as the next big thing weather is medical or technology.

 

The FMSA did not exist when the Constitution was written. So the government can have more power if the people want or let the government have the power. Why don't you tell the government you don't believe in the log book or speed limits or driver's license or any law regarding trucking because it not in the construction. The Constitution can be changed and just like the government can have more power then you like if the people think it a good idea or don't care enough to stop the government. That why you have all the trucking laws and the next new trucking law might be Sleep apnea. It seems to seems coming

 

Apparently somebody has never read the Constitution and hasn't a clue how our government was formed. Congress didn't even exist, nor did the Presidency or any Courts, until they were created by the Constitution and assigned certain specific powers. One of those powers delegated to the Congress was the power to regulate interstate commerce. To aid in doing just that, the Congress authorized the creation of several regulatory agencies of which they granted specific powers in the charter legislation creating said agencies. Congress still has oversight, as it is Congress with the Constitutional power to regulate interstate commerce. The FMCSA is one such agency. It is also why intrastate operations are not affected by FMCSA regulations...the federal government only has power to regulate interstate commerce, NOT commerce taking place solely within the borders of a single state.

NOWHERE in the Constitution, though, will you find ANY power to "
stop every death possible". The FMCSA exists because of an act of Congress delegating certain aspects of Congress' power to regulate interstate commerce to the agency.

 

I think we are pass debating the power of government and how it was set up. We are talking about SA and if drivers want to be required to take the test on neck size or BMI. I don't think anyone will do anything to stop the government if they decide to make it a law just like nobody does anything about any law they don't like. People like to complain but almost never act and change anything. People like to really on OOIDA. If drivers don't like and law stand up and stop them from passing the law. Drivers did such a great job on stopping ELDs. Let's face it nobody cares and just like SA nobody care enough as a group to do anything. People love to post on here and debate it like they actually care and sound like they are going to do something. When in the end drivers will do nothing and complain. So any driver with a big neck or high BMI better start working on solving that or get ready for a sleep apnea test. It not even law and the doctors are wanting proof you don't the have it.

 

I have no doubt that they will pass it and many more. My point is 2 fold, 1. Sa, fmcsa, dot, and many more have not and are not concerned with "deaths" if they were, they would lobby for regulatory power over all interstate travel. Not just commerce. Sally nit wit with her 5 screaming kids while txting is far more dangerous than a driver who only got 5 in the rack. And to 2. To pretend that these arbitrary ideas of bmi or neck size can dictate a unsafe driver is ridiculous. The sad fact is we are on a fast track to much worse. Why not a blood oxygen interlock? A active bp monitor? A cognitive awareness test before your allowed to log in to your digital nanny... none would be particularly helpful in saving lives, but in "theory" they will... i call congressmen, and sign petitions, but im a local driver so much doesn't affect me. I still do. Because you can be sure, if they come for one, the will come for all.

 

Well then don't make ignorant statements claiming it is government's job to babysit everybody in order to prevent as many deaths as possible and we won't feel the need to correct you. Seems simple enough...

 

Problem is, the federal government does not have the Constitutional power to regulate interstate travel by private citizens. If the federal government ever does seize that power, we will no longer be the "land of the free". Granted, the argument could be made that we have already ceased to be able to make that claim, but take away the freedom to move about the country and it really emphasizes the lack of freedoms we SHOULD have that have been encroached upon by an overgrown and excessively intrusive federal government.

In our Republic, the individual is supposed to be sovereign, yielding only certain limited powers to the state and federal governments. Unfortunately, that isn't what kids are learning in school these days...which leads us back to folks thinking it's the government's job to protect them from themselves.

 

I dont disagree, but they are trying repair a bridge by fixing the lights.. hey bob.. yes ted? Well we still have truck vs car crashs. Ok bob well lets try to regulate the trucks some more. But ted, haven't we gone as far as possible with driver regs in big trucks? Yes bob, but we cant fix stupid in personal vehicles, and we have to do something....

 

Your last sentence there hits the nail squarely on the head. Bob and Ted know that they HAVE TO DO SOMETHING, if for no other reason than to make people believe that there positions of power are necessary, and maybe even productive.

 

Overview
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in cooperation with its partners and customers, strives to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. Listed below are safety and security initiatives, resources and regulations that aid this effort.