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Chassan's Blog

by chassan from Houston

Last Post 13 hours Ago


GUESS WHO'S DRIVING BIG RIGS ON HOUSTON FREEWAYS

Getting behind the wheel of a big commercial truck is a huge responsibility for a driver. In the wrong hands, a rig can carve a path of deadly destruction on any highway in Houston.
 
Despite all the responsibility that goes with driving a rig, did you know that 22,600 commercial truck drivers in Texas are receiving full federal disability payments.
 
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for ensuring that commercial drivers are medically fit to operate a rig. DOT cleared the 22,600 to drive commercial trucks, and in fact, 16,100 received clearance from the agency after receiving full federal disability status.
 
Is it a bad idea to let people on federal disability to drive a commercial truck?

 
The National Transportation Safety Board said DOT's medical certification process for commercial drivers has "serious flaws."  NTSB says, "These flaws can lead to increased highway fatalities and injuries for commercial vehicle drivers, their passengers, and the motoring public."


 
The Transportation Safety Board said DOT should ensure that its staff members performing medical examinations for drivers are qualified to do so and are educated about occupational issues for drivers.
 
What's DOT's response?
 
It's done nothing to improve the medical certification process for commercial drivers.
 
The message: the Department of Transportation isn't as concerned about our safety on the road, as it in ensuring that truckers get to keep working, even if on full disability.

Your thoughts? 
17 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 17
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PBMom read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 11:07 PM

If someone is on full disability, it should mean that they are unable to work in any capacity. I know of someone who is collecting a disability check as is her husband and they have an at-home business. Just doesn't seem fair.

Skyder read my blog view my photos
Jul 23, 2008 | 7:48 AM

I agree. If you can work in any capacity, then you are not FULLY disabled. That's like a free second income, on OUR dime.

truetexan read my blog view my photos
Jul 23, 2008 | 12:32 PM

Chassan old buddy you struck a nerve on this one.
Being 100% SERVICE CONNECTED DISABLED DOES NOT PREVENT ME FROM GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT,SOCIAL SECURITY SAYS THAT I CAN WORK{BUT NOT DRAW THEIR DISABILTY CHECK} BECAUSE OF THE TYPE OF MY DISABILITY. THE VA SAYS THAT I AM UNEMPLOYABLE.THERE ARE LARGE NUMBERS OF COMBAT TROOPS RETURNING HOME MISSING ARMS,LEGS,HANDS ETC.,THEY ARE 100% DISABLED.

SO SKYDER,YOU ARE SAYING THAT IF THESE HERO'S GO OUT AND WORK THAT THEY ARE GETTING A "FREE CHECK" FROM US? I SAY THAT THEY DAMNED WELL EARNED THAT $2500.00 a month "free check".

Having spent over 15 years behind the wheel of big trucks, I can tell ya'll that there 100's of 100% Disabled people who are just as able to drive as anyone else,MYSELF included.

PBMom,just curious,are you not drawing a Social Security Check on your SON? If you are that makes YOU no different from those that you just spoke of,{ by the way I am not trashing you or your son,he is deserving of the check}.

PBMom read my blog view my photos
Jul 23, 2008 | 1:02 PM

Truetexan: The two people I speak of were never in the service. I have a feeling that they aren't being honest when it comes to their at-home business either when it comes to the IRS.

truetexan read my blog view my photos
Jul 23, 2008 | 2:45 PM

PBMom,go back and read your FIRST sentence,it makes reference to ALL Disabled.There are a large number of CIVILIAN's who fall into the catagories that I brought up as well as VET's.RESEARCH BEFORE OPENING{writing}YOUR MOUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!What by definition under the law is a 100% disability.The V.A.has a few hundred service connected 100% disabilities that Social Security DOES NOT RECONIZE,mine is one of them!!!!!!!!

RESEARCH,RESEARCH,then write!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

skeasling read my blog view my photos
Jul 23, 2008 | 3:58 PM

thank true texan.
After working at a truck stop I met a driver who had served lost his leg and has a prosthetic
He can drive that truck better than someone with 2 good legs. IF the DOT cleared the drivers than they are capable of doing their job. My husband has had back surgery from doing construction driving the truck is about all he can do. Yes I know people abusing the disability program to make extra money but if eel each one needs to be looked at individual not as a whole group.

PBMom read my blog view my photos
Jul 23, 2008 | 4:31 PM

No need to be rude. When I wrote the post, I didn't know there were different types of disabilities until you posted, which came after mine if you go back and see the order of our postings. I'm writing from my perspective and my experience. As I get new information, my thoughts and feelings might change (it's called learning). I honestly still don't understand why someone can work and be 100% disabled. If you could calm down, could you try to explain it to me rationally?

skeasling read my blog view my photos
Jul 23, 2008 | 4:39 PM

they could be 100 percent disable in what ever they used to do. If you lose a limb you are 100 percent disable in that limb. Those who are working may be entitled by SSI that they can earn up to a certain amount which then most do. Then there is the mind disability. One reason each is a case by case situation. My husband was claimed to be 10 percent disable with his back but he cant work construction again. Once they are told he had back surgery they don't want to hire him.

PBMom read my blog view my photos
Jul 23, 2008 | 5:37 PM

Okay Skeasling, I understand how you explain it, but when a doctor says this person is 100% disabled because they can't work (in any job, not even a jobs retraining program), and they do something like a home business, which for them requires sitting, so surely this person could get a job in a sitting-type job outside the home without having to collect a disability check. If not, then have the home business, but don't use the government to keep a steady income coming in. Am I completely missing the point here? You know I'm an advocate for people with disabilities, but I think people like the ones I'm talking about, are abusing the system for those who truly need it.

skeasling read my blog view my photos
Jul 23, 2008 | 6:01 PM

there are people who abuse it and if you feel that way you need to call SSI and tell them you think they are not being honest about it. They dont like being played. They will check into their cash flow and take it from there

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chassan

I love reading books, seeing movies, staying up with current events, running and watching what I eat most of the time--got to stay healthy. I blog here in my spare time, mostly late at night and in the early morning hours.

Member Since: 3/24/2007