Latest news with #CMV
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
CMV inspection blitz results in over 100 charges for safety violations: OPP
The Collingwood and The Blue Mountains provincial police officers conduct safety inspections in Thornbury, Ont., on Wed., May 28, 2025. A safety inspection blitz held in Thornbury resulted in 15 commercial motor vehicles (CMV) removed from the roads and more than 100 charges laid. Provincial police officers were assisted by the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Finance during the one-day compliance-focused operation in The Blue Mountains on Tuesday. Police say officers inspected 42 CMVs, resulting in 107 charges for safety violations, including improper licensing, equipment violations, and load security issues. Additionally, five sets of licence plates were seized due to what police call 'significant safety concerns.' "These initiatives are critical to reducing preventable collisions and keeping our highways safe for all users," Detachment Commander Insp. Loris Licharson stated. OPP concluded by adding the mandatory alcohol screening achieved 100 per cent compliance during the inspection blitz.
CBC
5 days ago
- General
- CBC
Universal screening for virus causing birth defects delayed, Manitoba advocate says
A Winnipegger who's worked for decades to raise awareness about a viral infection causing serious birth defects is disappointed — but not surprised — the province is delaying universal screening for the virus. The province's 2024-45 budget pledged the introduction of universal infant screening for congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV), which can lead to hearing loss, cognitive impairment or other disabilities. Most people won't show any symptoms for the virus, and infected pregnant woman can pass it along to their children. Early detection can prevent infants from getting infected after birth, or allow other medical interventions. The province has said it's allocating up to $2 million a year for the program. A provincial spokesperson told Radio-Canada in an email last week the government is still working on establishing and resourcing CMV screenings. Rob Tétrault, president and founder of the Canadian CMV Foundation, said that while he's happy the province is moving forward with it, it's not happening as soon as the government originally promised. He said provincial officials recently told him they've delayed the implementation by a full year, and that the government is currently aiming for a November 2025 rollout. "The government had been very, aggressive with their timeline, so we were very pleased with that. But I was kind of expecting some delays," Tétrault said, pointing out that it took several years in other provinces with universal screening. "I was a little upset about the communication, the lack of communication. It would have been nice for some transparency." In Canada, universal newborn screening for congenital CMV is available in Ontario and Saskatchewan, according to a 2024 report from the Canadian Journal of Health Technologies. Alberta made the commitment to introduce universal screening in 2023, but is still working to implement it. Targeted screening is available in British Columbia, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. 1 in 200 Canadian infants infected According to a report published by the medical journal The Lancet earlier this year, congenital CMV is the leading infectious cause of childhood disabilities including permanent hearing loss. The report said a timely diagnosis is "crucial" because the presence of CMV after 21 days could lead to postnatal infection. The Canadian CMV Foundation says one in 200 Canadian infants are infected with CMV during pregnancy, and one in five of those will have a permanent disability. In some cases, it can be fatal. Tétrault's son, Alexandre, was born with congenital CMV. He said that if it wasn't for an ultrasound screening, the infectious disease wouldn't have been caught on time for him to get treated, and to prevent further health complications from the condition. "We know for a fact that there are many, many babies that are born with CMV in Manitoba that didn't get identified, didn't get treated … because of the [rollout's] delay," Tétrault said. "We know that babies have suffered because of that. So that's incredibly demoralizing when we think of that." The Lancet report said early identification could allow for anti-viral treatment, and also lead to the timely detection of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). But it added that most infants with congenital CMV are unaffected and do not appear to be at risk of adverse outcomes except for SNHL. The Manitoba government said treatment will be available for infants who test positive for CMV once the screenings begin. Tétrault said universal screening for the infectious disease would allow other children to have similar outcomes to his son, who is now 17. "If we can identify the babies, we can treat them," he said. "Parents want it. Nobody wants a sick child."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
When Health Becomes Highway Hazard
When a commercial truck crashed into a house in New Jersey this week, the company's owner attributed the crash to a medical emergency. There were no fatalities, but what about next time? In short, 'it happens,' and this disturbingly common phrase in trucking exemplifies the very state of highways in the U.S. today. That crash wasn't bad luck. It was a symptom of something deeper: driver health. The trucking industry's refusal to treat driver health as a foundational part of fleet safety is a considerable issue and entirely preventable. Driver Health Is a Known RiskAccording to FMCSA data, 13% of truck crashes involve driver nonperformance, like blackouts, heart attacks or other medical issues that cause a driver to lose control. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says a health issue directly causes 1 in 20 crashes involving a CMV. Add in that the average truck driver's life expectancy is just 61, while the general U.S. expectancy average is 79-80, and it becomes clear this is more than a fleet issue. This is a workforce supply chain crisis. The Med Card Isn't Just a Box to CheckMedical certification is required under 49 CFR Part 391, but what it actually tells you, how long the card is valid, matters. A two-year card signals stability. A six-month card means something is going on. A 30-day card is a warning. Come June 2025, that's going to matter more than ever. FMCSA medical certification changes arrive next month, and those new rules will soon require certified medical examiners to electronically submit all exam results to the FMCSA's National Registry, which will forward that data directly to state licensing agencies. The days of carrying around a physical medical card are numbered, as is the ability to sidestep systemwide scrutiny. That change means fleets that do not track med card durations and monitor driver health in real time are already behind. Fitness, Risk and Your Driver Qualification FileA Driver Qualification File (DQF) is more than a checklist. It's a predictive tool. It tells you who's qualified to operate, not just in terms of skill but health and long-term capability. Would you put a 70-year-old crop duster pilot with early heart failure in the cockpit of a 737? Then why hand the keys to an 80,000-pound vehicle to someone with uncontrolled sleep apnea and a 30-day med card? Fleet safety is a consideration, but managing your fleet with risk in mind and running your fleet operation like an insurance company is a mindset. It's also not all about the fleet vehicles; it has more to do with fleet operators. We have preventive maintenance programs for our assets, but we don't have preventive maintenance for the drivers. What Fleets Can Do Coming from the private equity enterprise fleet oversight world after being a driver and small fleet owner, I know the boardroom consideration is often dollars rather than health. With that in mind, understanding this is an exposure management strategy is crucial. Here's how forward-thinking fleets are reducing medical risk and increasing driver longevity: Set Internal Fitness Policies. Refuse to hire drivers with less than 1-year med cards unless medically reviewed. Use short-term certifications as internal risk triggers, not afterthoughts. Track Medical Card Data. Systems like Motive's Workforce Management, Tenstreet and SambaSafety allow real-time tracking of certification duration and help flag drivers before their health becomes a risk. Initiate Wellness Incentives. Programs like Mark Manera's Offshift or Bob Perry's The Trucker Trainer offer scalable coaching and health improvement for drivers. Fleets using similar programs report up to 30% lower workers' comp costs and 60% fewer lost-time injuries. Build Alternative Placement Pipelines. Consider reassigning long-tenured drivers with worsening health to in-yard, dispatch or safety roles. This will preserve their experience and reduce their on-highway exposure. Engage With Project 61 and Peer Leaders. Initiatives like Jeremy Reymer's Project 61, Michael Lombard's or Nick Klingensmith's work on driver health, and wellness-focused partners are shifting the conversation toward longevity. Your fleet should be part of it. The Numbers Matter About 1 in 3 drivers hold short-term med cards. Some 300,000 CDL holders were sidelined in 2023 due to expired or downgraded med certs. Half of drivers have at least two chronic medical conditions. Medical-related crashes often cost over $500,000, even without a fatality. Fleets with proactive health programs report 85% driver participation and improved med card renewals. Crash Risk Is Not Just Mechanical. It's health isn't random. It's predictable, and if it's manageable. The crash in New Jersey was not an anomaly. I have seen more than one driver die behind the wheel on video. These events are warning shots. The next one might not end with zero fatalities. That's why the best fleets track health indicators, not just oil changes and logbooks. Caring about your drivers means doing more. It means building it into your business model and your culture. The post When Health Becomes Highway Hazard appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
FMCSA makes up to $90M available in FY2025 grants
WASHINGTON — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has opened fiscal year 2025 applications for three discretionary grant programs that emphasize driver safety training, truck parking and trucking applications that employ real-time data. 'These grants, which could total more than $90 million, will fund projects that advance the development and delivery of motor carrier safety training to non-Federal employees and provide commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operator training to future commercial driver's license (CDL) holders,' FMCSA said in a press statement. The Notices of Funding Opportunity, applications for which are due by June 20, apply to the following programs: High Priority Innovative Technology Deployment (HP-ITD) Grants: These fund 'innovative and impactful projects that advance the technological capability and promote the deployment of intelligent transportation system applications for CMV operations.'They also support and maintain CMV information systems and networks to link federal motor carrier safety information systems with state CMV systems, improve safety and productivity of CMVs and commercial drivers, increase driver notification systems (including truck parking and work zone notifications), and reduce costs associated with CMV operations and regulatory requirements. High Priority Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety (HP-CMV) Grants: These fund CMV safety-related activities that increase public awareness and education on CMV safety, target unsafe driving in high-risk crash corridors, demonstrate new technologies to improve CMV safety, and improve safety data, as well as projects such as truck parking availability and identification. Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMVOST) Grants: These fund organizations that train individuals in the safe use of CMVs. 'The CMVOST Grant Program prioritizes training to current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard members and Reservists, as well as certain military family members,' FMCSA noted. In September, the Biden administration awarded 27 HP-ITD grants (recipients can be found here) totaling $34 million and 58 HP-CMV grants (recipients can be found here) totaling $54 emphasized that grant applications submitted during the application cycle that opened on Dec. 19, 2024, and closed on Feb. 3, 2025, must be resubmitted under this new funding notice. Watchdog calls out lax FMCSA oversight of $2B in grant money DOT awards $3.5 million for truck driver training House lawmakers reintroduce truck parking bill Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher. The post FMCSA makes up to $90M available in FY2025 grants appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wendy McMahon Resigns as Head of CBS News: 'Company and I Do Not Agree on the Path Forward'
Wendy McMahon is exiting CBS News. 'It's become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward,' McMahon said in a memo to staff on Monday. 'It's time for me to move on and for this organization to move forward with new leadership. I have spent the last few months shoring up our businesses and making sure the right leaders are in place; and I have no doubt they will continue to set the standard.' More from The Hollywood Reporter Has '60 Minutes' Run Out of Time? Shari Redstone's Painful Predicament '60 Minutes' Addresses EP Bill Owens' Departure in On-Air Segment: "Paramount Began to Supervise Our Content in New Ways" CBS News Pushes Into Video Podcasts With '48 Hours: Post Mortem' (Exclusive) Here is McMahon's full memo: Hi everyone,Today, I am stepping down from my position as president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures. This has been one of the most meaningful chapters in my career. Leading this extraordinary organization has been the honor of a lifetime because I got to work alongside all of you. Your commitment to truth, fairness and the highest standards is unassailable. Championing and supporting the journalism produced by the most amazing stations and bureaus in the world, celebrating the successes of our shows and our brands, elevating our stories and our people … It has been a privilege and joy. At the same time, the past few months have been challenging. It's become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward. It's time for me to move on and for this organization to move forward with new leadership. I have spent the last few months shoring up our businesses and making sure the right leaders are in place; and I have no doubt they will continue to set the standard. You are in incredibly good hands with Tom, Jennifer, John, Matt and Robert. They are phenomenal leaders and people who will continue to protect and celebrate your work. I am sure of it. To George: Thank you for this opportunity. To our viewers: Thank you for your trust. You hold us accountable, and you remind us why this work matters. To the CBS News and Stations and CMV teams: Thank you for your passion, your professionalism and your partnership. It has been a privilege to walk this path with That 'George' there refers to George Cheeks, one of the three Paramount Global CEOs. Here is his own email sent to staff: CBS Team,Moments ago, Wendy McMahon announced her decision to step down as president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures (CMV). Below is the email she shared with her teams. Going forward, CBS News president Tom Cibrowski and CBS Stations president Jennifer Mitchell will each report directly to me. For CMV, Scott Trupchak, who heads advertising sales, and John Budkins, who oversees programming and production, will report to Bryon Rubin, CBS' chief operating officer and CFO. Wendy will be with us for a few weeks to support the transition. On a personal note, I want to thank Wendy for her partnership over the past four years. Under her leadership, the competitive position and culture at our television stations have improved dramatically, and we've expanded local news significantly. Our streaming news platforms – national and local – are stronger and growing, with digital extensions now in place for several of our flagship CBS News broadcasts. In a rapidly changing world, Wendy and her teams have worked diligently to articulate a vision and lay a foundation that adapts our news operations for the future. This includes advancements in data journalism, community journalism, technology and centralizing editorial decisions to help teams move faster. Please join me in thanking Wendy for all these contributions and wishing her much success in what she does Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire
