Consider This

Highway Watch counts on truckers

Highway Watch is the highway sector’s nationwide safety and security program that uses the skills, experiences and “road smarts” of transportation workers to help protect the nation’s critical infrastructure and the movement of goods, services and people. Truck drivers will notice something that is out of the norm. The security of our country lies in the sharing of this information with the proper authorities.

Highway Watch gives drivers the tools they need to help keep the trucking in-dustry, and America, safe and secure. Training is provided to interested people focusing on what to look for and how to report it. Those trained keep a vigilant eye for potential terrorist-related activities.

“We believe very strongly in this program,” says Bill Jacobs, vice president of Highway Watch. “Homeland security is everyone’s res-ponsibility, and we’re proud to give America’s drivers the opportunity to help keep our country safe.”

Becoming certified is easy, according to Jacobs. Drivers simply listen to a one-hour audio CD, or watch a DVD or VHS and review the Highway Watch handbook, then complete the enrollment form and send it in the self-addressed stamped envelope. Within three weeks, drivers will receive their official participant number, card and certificate in the mail. Best of all, it’s free.

For further information, contact Highway Watch at (866) 821-3444 or visit them online at www.highwaywatch.com.

Source: Department of Homeland Security

FMCSA to establish Medical Review Board

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administra-tion recently announced it would establish an FMCSA Medical Review Board, which will provide scientific advice to the Department of Transportation and FMCSA on medical issues, including the physical qualification requirements for commercial drivers.

The Medical Review Board will provide FMCSA with ongoing medical expertise to shape research on and decisions about the health and wellness of CMV drivers, including physical qualifications, medical advisory criteria and safety research. The board also will advise the agency on the development of uniform driver physical qualification standards and CMV driver health and wellness, and will provide advice and recommendations for the development of a functional capacity test for individuals with certain impairments.

Another role for the Medical Review Board will be to advise FMCSA on the establishment and maintenance of medical examiner training and certification. In a recent related action, FMCSA announced that it planned to survey medical examiners on the proper role of an examiner as the agency develops its National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.

Source: FMCSA