Dellutri Oct 2017

Drugged Driving by Truckers Poses Serious Safety Risk

Truck drivers operate vehicles that weigh up to 80,000 pounds and can be over 100 feet in length. Therefore, drivers need all of their focus to safely navigate our roadways. Unfortunately, the pressure to stay awake and deliver loads on time can lead drivers to use stimulants and other drugs. Drugged driving is proven to slow reaction time, decrease motor skills, and impair judgment, much like drunk driving. To help deter drug use, federal regulations require trucking companies to regularly test their drivers for alcohol and drugs. Tests must be performed prior to employment, after a serious accident, and periodically throughout the year. The tests look for alcohol as well as marijuana, cocaine, opiates, PCP, and amphetamines. While most carriers and truck operators follow the rules, compliance failures are still common. In 2012, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration removed 287 commercial bus and truck drivers from the roads as a result of its annual drug and alcohol strike force sweep. The enforcement effort involved verification of the drug and alcohol safety records of commercial drivers to identify violations of federal drug and alcohol testing requirements. It also sought out truck drivers who switched jobs to evade testing. This is a scary reminder for all of our Florida clients. Many of us make heavy use of the interstate system here. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles site, of the accidents in 2015, regardless of reason, there was a whopping 4,812 people who ended up with a personal injury resulting from an accident with a truck. We want to remind all of you to be diligent when driving, as accidents can happen at a moment’s notice!

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