Pre-Flight Medical Screening for Transport Drivers Shares Telemedicine Spotlight
People who move goods or passengers by road are required to undergo medical screening. This can be done in person or through telemedicine. The Government of the Russian Federation is drafting amendments that specify who must visit a clinician for an in-person exam and who may be evaluated via video link.
Initially, the plan allowed telemedicine for most drivers. However, new rules will impose in-person examinations on drivers meeting any of these criteria:
- drivers who transport passengers on routes longer than 300 kilometers
- operators who carry organized groups of children
- those handling dangerous goods
For other drivers, a remote evaluation via a computer screen will be permissible. Regardless of the screening method, drivers are expected to undergo alcohol and drug testing at least twice a year.
Advocates emphasize that telemedicine use in driver medical examinations could improve access to care and reduce the time and cost burdens for trucking and bus fleets. This perspective comes from legal professionals involved in the process, noting the potential for streamlined compliance without compromising safety.
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Source: Russian Newspaper
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