Dallas, 12/15/2016 /SubmitPressRelease123/
The new rule aims to collect failed drug tests and refusals in a central database operated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Driving any commercial vehicle requires skill, training, and experience. This is especially true for semi-truck drivers, who operate massive trucks that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. If a truck driver gets behind the wheel high on drugs, he or she puts everyone on the road in serious danger.
Now, the federal government is preparing to issue a final rule on the creation of a central database that would list truck drivers who have failed drug tests.
The Department of Transportation announced it is ready to issue a rule requiring individuals who possess commercial driver’s licenses to register with a database any time they fail a drug test or refuse to take one. The CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse final rule was scheduled to be published November 21, however, it has been delayed.
Drug and alcohol testing has been mandatory for holders of CDLs since 1991, when Congress passed the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act. The Act requires commercial carriers who employ truck drivers to test drivers and to remove them from driving duty when they refuse a test or fail one.
However, this information does not necessarily get gathered in one place, and there have been many cases in which truck drivers have caused serious accidents while under the influence of drugs. The new rule aims to collect failed drug tests and refusals in a central database operated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Study Finds High Levels of Drug Abuse in Trucking Industry
One comprehensive study that analyzed 36 previous studies of substance abuse within the trucking industry across several countries found that half of truck operators admitted to drinking alcohol and 30 percent said they used amphetamines while driving.
Because truck drivers are often under pressure to drive many consecutive hours without sleep, some rely on stimulants, both legal and illegal, to keep them alert and awake. Unfortunately, many of these stimulants are not safe. In the study, 20 percent of truck drivers said they used marijuana, and another three percent admitted to using cocaine.
Eberstein & Witherite, LLP: Texas Truck Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi-truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other damages. Call the Texas truck accident lawyers at Eberstein & Witherite, LLP 24/7 to discuss your case with an experienced Texas truck accident lawyer. We offer free case evaluations, so don’t wait to get the answers you deserve. You can reach us through our online contact form, or by calling 1-800-TRUCK WRECK (1-800-878-2597).
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Lucy Tiseo
Eberstein & Witherite, LLP
Phone: 800-878-2597
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