Pubdate: Tue, 28 Aug 2001
Source: Associated Press (Wire)
Copyright: 2001 Associated Press
Author: Jonathan D. Salant
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

MED EXAMS URGED FOR BUS DRIVERS

WASHINGTON (AP) - An investigation into a bus crash on Mother's Day 
1999, which killed 22 people in New Orleans, found the federal 
government does little to make sure that bus drivers are in good 
health and drug-free.

The National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday blamed the crash 
on the driver's poor health and the failure of the doctors who 
examined him to try to take him off the road.

The board recommended tighter standards for medical exams that bus 
and truck drivers must pass every two years and for procedures to 
allow a prospective employer to find out whether an applicant has a 
drug problem.

The NTSB also renewed its suggestion for bus-design standards that 
would protect occupants more effectively in crashes. Improving bus 
safety has one of the highest priorities among the board's 
recommended improvements.

The recommendations are part of the NTSB's final report on the May 
1999 crash of a chartered bus that ran off an interstate highway in 
New Orleans and crashed through a guardrail and down an embankment. 
The crash killed 22 members of a seniors gambling club heading to a 
Gulf Coast casino.

The driver, Frank Bedell, died the following August of a heart 
attack. He had been medically cleared to drive despite suffering from 
heart disease and kidney failure. He tested positive for marijuana 
after the crash, and had twice been fired from other bus companies 
for the same reason. His last employer did not know he had failed 
earlier drug tests.

Ken Suydam, chief investigator of the crash, said the bus driver's 
medical history should have disqualified him from getting his 
commercial driver's license.

A police report blamed the crash on Bedell's use of marijuana. His 
health problems were discussed but not listed as factors.

During NTSB hearings on the crash, then-board Chairman Jim Hall said 
the medical exams were easy to pass and were administered with little 
government oversight. Transportation experts told the board that 
drivers shop around for doctors who are willing to certify even those 
with serious health problems.
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