WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A lifelong Kansan who works as a field diesel technician operating work vehicles and 18-wheelers is back behind the wheel after clearing some red tape. And now a U.S. senator is using his story as an example to address an issue at the national level.
Three weeks ago, FactFinder introduced you to Collyn Metzger, a man who’s driven professionally for several years but had to step away temporarily. A test required by the federal government and a lack of doctors in Wichita to perform that test left him sidelined from his main job for more than a month.
Due to missing half of his left arm, Metzger has to have a skills performance evaluation renewed every two years by an orthopedic surgeon. For weeks, doctors told Metzger that they either didn’t know what the test was or know how to conduct it. While he eventually found a doctor to preform the exam, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R, Kansas) stepped in. Moran’s office said Metzger’s situation is part of a larger issue it’s looking into.
In a statement to 12 News, Moran said, “While it’s important to have commonsense guidelines for the trucking industry, drivers shouldn’t be burdened with unnecessary regulations that are a barrier to their careers. There are hundreds of SPE-certified drivers in the U.S., who are helping meet a nationwide shortage of truck drivers. It’s critical they are able to receive the required certifications in a timely manner.”
Moran’s office said it’s working to address shortages for the healthcare and trucking industries. Moran aid he plans to bring up those concerns in committee meetings with other lawmakers.
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