Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas Blog

Truck drivers and motor carriers who violated drug and alcohol requirements to be penalized

Last month the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) implemented a national drug and alcohol strike force.  The purpose of the strike force was to identify motor carriers who had failed to follow drug and alcohol testing requirements on their drivers.

Officials hoped to penalize motor carriers that have tried to evade federal regulations on drug and alcohol testing and reporting requirements.  They also hoped to remove from the road commercial bus and truck drivers who violated drug and alcohol rules but were still driving.

FMCSA safety investigators conducted their research by examining the alcohol safety records of commercial bus and truck drivers employed by interstate trucking companies, bus companies, school bus drivers, hazardous material transporters and long-haul freight companies.

As a result of this research, the FMCSA announced that they found 77 commercial drivers who failed to adhere to federal drug and alcohol regulations.  These drivers may face civil penalties, fines and have lost their commercial driving licenses.

In addition, the strike force has found 84 motor carriers who will face enforcement action because they either used a driver who tested positive for drugs or alcohol or they failed to institute a drug and alcohol testing program.

The FMCSA strike force is part of an overall transportation safety crackdown championed by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood who stated that “Violators of our drug and alcohol policies have no business driving a commercial vehicle. Programs like the drug and alcohol strike force are helping remove the most dangerous offenders from our roadways."

Labels: large truck accidents motor carrier safety truck safety