CDME Module 1: Overview-November 1, 2006

November 1, 2006

Pdf Summary

The November 1, 2006 Medical Review Board (MRB) Public Meeting of the United States Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) discussed the risks associated with individuals with diabetes mellitus driving commercial vehicles. The MRB found that there is a serious lack of quality data on diabetes and driver safety, particularly for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. They also discussed the recommendations from a diabetes expert panel, which stated that the increased risk of accidents among drivers with diabetes mellitus was not significant enough to impose a general ban on them driving commercial vehicles. The panel recommended establishing a CMV expert panel of endocrinologists to provide consulting support to medical examiners who determine the physical qualifications of commercial drivers. The MRB agreed that individuals with diabetes mellitus are at an increased risk of a motor vehicle crash compared to those without diabetes, and that hypoglycemia is an important risk factor among individuals with diabetes. However, they found insufficient evidence to support the idea that treatment-related factors or hypoglycemia awareness training are associated with increased risks. The MRB also discussed future research topics, including Schedule II medications, sleep disorders, seizure disorders, and cardiovascular disease. No comments were received from the public. It should be noted that any proposed changes to current standards and guidance will be subject to public notice-and-comment and regulatory processes.

Keywords

Medical Review Board

diabetes mellitus

commercial vehicles

driver safety

CMV drivers

hypoglycemia

endocrinologists

motor vehicle crash

treatment-related factors

regulatory processes