Driver medicals are essential for keeping commercial vehicle operators and the people they come across safe. They are designed to assess for any health conditions and symptoms that could impact an employee’s ability to operate a vehicle safely, whether that is a transport vehicle like a taxi or bus, a courier vehicle like a van, a commercial hauling truck, or anything else.
Below, we’ll examine some of the health conditions that can impact the ability to safely operate commercial vehicles and why they are tested for with driver medicals.
Musculoskeletal conditions
Musculoskeletal conditions are those that affect the bones, muscles, or joints. They can range from simple strains and sprains to more serious conditions like arthritis. Many of these conditions can cause pain, stiffness, and/or inflammation.
Some musculoskeletal conditions can make it difficult to operate a vehicle safely, and this is why they are tested for with driver medicals. For example, arthritis can cause pain and stiffness in the joints, making it difficult to turn the steering wheel or depress the pedals. Similarly, conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome can cause pain and numbness in the hands and fingers, making it difficult to grip the steering wheel properly.
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease refers to any condition that affects the heart or blood vessels. This can include conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke. Cardiovascular disease can make it difficult to operate a vehicle safely because it can cause fatigue, dizziness, and/or shortness of breath.
Neurological disorders
Neurological disorders are those that affect the brain, spinal cord, or nerves. They can range from mild conditions like migraines to more serious conditions like epilepsy or Parkinson’s disease. Neurological disorders can cause a variety of symptoms that can make it difficult to operate a vehicle safely and, therefore, need to be tested for with driver medicals.
For example, migraines can cause severe headaches and sensitivity to light, making it difficult to see. Epilepsy can cause seizures, which can make it difficult to control a vehicle. And Parkinson’s disease can cause tremors, rigidity, and balance problems, making it difficult to operate a vehicle smoothly.
Psychiatric disorders
Psychiatric disorders are those that affect the mind. They can range from mild conditions like anxiety and depression to more serious conditions like schizophrenia. Psychiatric disorders can cause a variety of symptoms that can make it difficult to operate a vehicle safely, which is why driver medicals examine them closely.
For example, anxiety can cause racing thoughts and difficulty concentrating, making it difficult to pay attention to the road. Depression can cause fatigue and apathy, making it difficult to stay alert. And schizophrenia can cause hallucinations and delusions, which can make it difficult to distinguish between reality and fiction.
Sleep disorders
Sleep disorders are those that affect the ability to get enough sleep. They can range from mild conditions like insomnia to more serious conditions like sleep apnea. Sleep disorders can cause fatigue, which can make it difficult to operate a vehicle safely. Thus, they are tested with driver medicals.
Blackouts and seizures
Blackouts and seizures are two more conditions that can make it difficult to operate a vehicle safely and need to be tested for with driver medicals. Blackouts refer to periods of time when you lose consciousness and have no memory of what happened. Seizures, on the other hand, refer to brief periods of time when you lose control of your body and may shake or convulse.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels. Diabetes can cause a variety of symptoms that can make it difficult to operate a vehicle safely, which is why it is tested for in driver medicals.
For example, high blood sugar levels can cause fatigue and dizziness, making it difficult to stay alert. Low blood sugar levels can cause shakiness and confusion, making it difficult to concentrate.
Vision impairments
Vision impairments are another common condition that can make it difficult to operate a vehicle safely. Vision impairments can range from mild conditions like near-sightedness to more serious conditions like blindness. Naturally, driver medicals are thorough in testing someone’s vision.
