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Driving Safety

Grieving Families Fight Against Hours-of-Service Flexibility for Truck Drivers

September 30, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON – The proposed flexibility in safety rules for truck drivers–which would allow extended duty time and less-strict mandatory break time–has some families remembering truck accident-related heartbreak.

Linda Wilburn, an Oklahoma mom, was waiting for 19-year-old son Orbie to stop by the house to pick up some belongings to take back to his new rental, just 10 miles away. While heading east on I-40 from Weatherford, traffic was stalled. There, Orbie Wilburn and his 1994 Camaro were crashed into from behind by a big rig speeding down the eastbound lanes. Orbie Wilburn was killed at the scene.

The truck driver–a 41-year-old from Kentucky–also died upon impact. According to Linda Wilburn, he had driven 1,300 miles from Bakersfield, California “without a rest break at all.”

Now, Orbie’s family is finding themselves fighting against the Trump administration’s new proposed flexibility regarding rest time for truck drivers, after the hours-of-service rules were formally introduced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on August 20th.

The new plan would allow drivers to divide mandatory 10-hour rest time up into 5-5 or 6-4 hour split, meaning that they would have complete control over how they use that time, whether they are resting or not.

The proposal would also extend driving time by two hours for those working in any conditions that could be considered “inclement weather;” it would also lengthen the maximum on-duty period from 12 to 14 hours.

Of course, there are two sides to the proposal.

Those against the possible new regulations, including highway safety organizations and grieving families like the Wilburns, point out government data showing deaths from crashes involving large trucks hitting a 10-year high in 2017.

On the other hand, commercial drivers and trucking companies are among those in favor, and believe the current rules in place for truckers are too restrictive and don’t allow for common business concerns. Although the data show an increase in truck-involved crashes, they also show a decrease in the rate of large truck-involved fatalities based on number of vehicle miles traveled.

The National Transportation Safety Board has been focusing on fatigued driving, and says it is more of a serious issue than statistics depict. The agency has deemed the reduction of fatigue-related accidents as part of its ‘Most Wanted List’ of safety improvements for 2019-2020. “Drowsy driving does not leave telltale signs,” it says. “It is widely believed to be underreported on police crash forms.”

It was also reported by FairWarning in 2015 that the trucking industry had some heavy spending behind congressional lobbying and contributions to campaigns while pushing for more flexibility for trucking companies and drivers.

“These [proposals] are opportunities for drivers to be pushed to their limits further, to drive without resting,” says Harry Adler, executive director of the Truck Safety Coalition. “It’s more [of an] opportunity for a driver to operate while fatigued, which is really detrimental.”

Adler says these proposals are a way for the trucking industry to exploit their drivers for their own gain. “How does one say that telling a truck driver, ‘You’re going to work a longer day,’ improve safety?” he asks.

The Truck Safety Coalition has witnessed the severe emotional damage of families like the Wilburns who have lost loved ones in fatigue-related crashes–many of these families now testifying before congress. These include a Florida mother who lost her 23-year-old son and daughter-in-law when a semi-truck driver fell asleep at the wheel, as well as a Maryland father who lost his wife and whose son was permanently disabled after a triple-tractor trailer driver fell asleep on the Ohio Turnpike.

If the government’s proposals “are going to keep the highways as safe as–or safer than–they currently exist,” the American Trucking Association needs to take time to do more research, Dan Horvath, vice president of ATA safety policy, said in an interview with FairWarning. “We are not quick to give an immediate response. We really do take the time to do a thorough review, to work with our members.”

Norita Taylor of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association says no scheduling regulations are perfect for all commercial drivers. “The trucking industry is very diverse,” she says. She also points out that while drivers have to obey hours-of-service rules, clients and customers don’t. In fact, they often make reasonable work windows impossible for drivers. “Shippers and receivers can keep them waiting as long as they want, and they do,” she says.

Regardless, families like the Wilburns continue to fight against higher probabilities for driver fatigue. 

“I vowed early on–the first few days–if there was anything that I could do to prevent this from happening to one other family, I would do it,” said Linda Wilburn. She is now a board member for Parents Against Tired Truckers, which is part of the Truck Safety Coalition.

New Law Makes Uber and Lyft Drivers Official Employees with Company Benefits

September 27, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

A new law in California could transform companies like Uber and Lyft by classifying their drivers as employees rather than independent contractors.

This month, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed new legislation stating that many “gig economy workers,” like those of the rideshare apps, would now be reclassified as employees–an update that will most likely completely change the business models of tech companies such as these.

Regarding the bill signing, Newsom called it a “landmark legislation for workers and our economy.” It is  clear the bill will have a tremendous impact–especially when more than 1% of the United States workforce drive with Uber and Lyft.

The new law is set to go into effect in January, and will allow drivers to work as official employees, making available to them benefits including minimum wage, unemployment and disability insurance, as well as union rights.

Newsom wrote in his letter to California lawmakers that the bill is an “important step” toward fighting against the “hollowing out of our middle class.” He also says reclassifying contractors will create a significant rise in income equality for the middle class.

Drivers often choose the rideshare driving lifestyle because of its flexibility; however, independent work includes challenges–such as higher levels of stress regarding earnings stability, insurance protections, and the ability to have your voice heard by the companies that hired them.

Additionally, in the case of Lyft and Uber driver-related accidents, lines around coverage have been blurry, as it is often unclear whose insurance policy would apply–the at-fault driver’s or the company’s? Generally, when an innocent passenger or other driver is hurt, financial responsibility comes from the driver at fault and their personal insurance. 

This can create difficulty, especially if the driver happens not to have a policy with enough to cover initial hospital bills. Becoming an employee of the company would deem the company itself liable for covering the costs.

However, Lyft and Uber have been lobbying against the measure.

In an open forum for the San Francisco Chronicle, Dara Khorsrowshahi, chief executive of Uber Technologies, along with Logan Green and John Zimmer, co-founders of Lyft, plead against the reclassification, saying it would “pose a risk to [their] businesses.”

“First, most drivers prefer freedom and flexibility to the forced schedules and rigid hourly shifts of traditional employment,” they said. “Second, many drivers are supplementing income from other work.”

Their argument is that this kind of flexibility for drivers would become impossible under regulations of becoming official employees of their respective companies.

Even after the bill was passed on September 11th, Uber stated it would still not be classifying its drivers as employees under the new law, saying its “drivers’ work is outside the usual course of Uber’s business.” 

Uber claims this is because its drivers pass the “ABC” test–that they A) are free from control and direction of the company, B) their work falls outside the company’s usual business, and C) they work in an independent business that is of the same kind as the company’s–and therefore can be considered independent contractors. regardless of the new law.

As soon as the bill was expected to push through, Uber said it would be looking into “several legal and political options” to be able to continue classifying drivers as contractors. One of these initiatives includes a statewide ballot initiative, which is planned for next year. 

It is also still unclear how exactly the law will affect Uber, Lyft and their drivers when put into practice. Currently, it includes exemptions for workers who set their own rates and hours, such as hairstylists, freelance writers and real estate agents.

Hundreds of rideshare app drivers are part of the group Gig Workers Rising, which had been protesting throughout California in favor of the bill. The group defines itself as a “campaign supporting and educating app and platform [for] workers who are organizing for better wages, working conditions and jobs,” and is comprised of rideshare drivers, delivery workers and couriers.

“American history is full of shameful examples where powerful industries exploited workers in pursuit of greater profits,” said presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren in an op-ed for the Sacramento Bee. “In many industries today, it takes the form of worker misclassification.”

Other candidates have supported workers’ demands along with the bill, including Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders, and Pete Buttigieg.

Chicago Police Begin New Campaign to Catch More Drunk Drivers

September 20, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

CHICAGO – Local police departments are cracking down on drunk driving in a new safety campaign.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is pairing up with local police to launch “Saturation Saturday,” a campaign implementing increased DUI control and sobriety checkpoints in Chicago and across the entire United States.

ABC 7 Chicago recently shared the story of Lisa Pruett, who lost her daughter Olivia Cooper to drunk driving almost 12 years ago. Cooper was only 21.

“Olivia was the offender,” Pruett said of the January 2008 accident. “She became her own victim of a drunk driving crash.”

Pruett aims for her story to make drivers think twice about getting behind the wheel after drinking.

“Every DUI arrest we make can save someone’s life,” Illinois State Police Lt. Col. David Byrd told ABC 7. “We do this every night. These officers are out there every night patrolling.”

On September 5th, The Chicago Police Department released a statement explaining its findings in its DUI Saturation Patrol in Englewood over August 31st and September 1st, issuing one DUI arrest, seven Unsafe Vehicle Violation arrests, and 13 Traffic Violation arrests, to name a few. In the Gresham District Saturation Patrol conducted August 23rd and 24th, CPD also made one DUI arrest, along with 14 arrests for Unsafe Vehicle Violations and 19 for Traffic Violations.

“The purpose of this program is to saturate a pre-designated area with roving police officers that continually monitor vehicular traffic for signs of impaired driving,” CPD said in the statement. Patrols place emphasis not only on alcohol-related violations, but on safety belt and speed violations as well.

CPD also says the Breath Alcohol Testing Mobile Unit may be deployed in future saturation plans in order for officers to more quickly charge someone with a DUI before taking them into custody. This unit also issues Individual Recognizance Bonds at the site of patrol.

These “Saturation Saturdays,” which will continue throughout Chicago and its surrounding neighborhoods, serve as an important reminder for drivers not to get behind the wheel after drinking under any circumstances, even if they think they feel fine. The strategies of preventing drunk driving (proven effective by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) to keep in mind include:

–Zero tolerance laws–it is illegal to drive with any amount of alcohol in your system if you are under 21 years of age.

-A blood alcohol content measured at or above 0.08 percent is illegal, and may result in a DUI.

–License revocation or suspension laws allow police to take away the license of someone testing at or above the legal BAC limit who refuses testing.

The Los Angeles Times, along with Alcohol Problems and Solutions, also have some tips on how to spot and avoid drunk drivers on the road–and what to do if you see one:

Warning signs:

-Unusually wide turns 

-Weaving or swerving

-Straddling the lane marker

-Tailgating

-Sudden stops

-Abrupt turns

-No headlights at night

-Drifting

-Slow responses

-Driving in the wrong direction

What not to do: 

-Attempt to stop the vehicle

-Disregard traffic signals or laws to keep the driver in your view

-Try to follow the vehicle if it is speeding or if there are any other hazards

-Follow the impaired driver closely–the car may stop suddenly

-Attempt to detain the drunk driver if he or she does stop

-Act in the capacity of police or safety official unless you are authorized to do so

-Try to assist any law enforcement while they apprehend a drunk driver (unless requested)

What to do:

-Maintain a safe distance–a drunk driver may swerve into you.

-If a drunk driver is behind you, pull over or turn right when safe so he or she can pass.

-If the driver is coming head on, move onto the shoulder, stop, and use your horn and/or lights to get his or her attention.

-When approaching an intersection at night, slow down and be alert for the unexpected.

-Use your seat belt properly and keep doors locked.

-Use four-lane highways and avoid rural roads when possible.

-Avoid travel after midnight (especially on weekends).

-Of course, never drink and drive, and serve as a designated driver when possible.

Additionally, you can help police by dialing 911 or *SP on your cell phone (as soon as it is safe to do so), saying you’d like to report a suspected drunk driver, giving the exact location of the vehicle, and providing as complete a description as possible–make, model and color of vehicle as well as the license plate number.

As Labor Day Nears, Some Tips for Staying Safe and Avoiding the Dreaded Traffic

September 4, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Many throughout the United States will use the upcoming Labor Day Weekend to go on their last planned road trips and family outings prior to the holiday season. As we are all very much aware, Labor Day has a long history of being designated for such activities; one last opportunity to get out and enjoy the end of summer. However, with that excitement comes the downside of having to hit the road alongside what often seems like every other family in the city. As we would all like to believe that traveling over Labor Day Weekend will be a smooth and easy process, the reality is that Chicago has nearly three million residents and it will most certainly show this weekend. Not only will the traffic be far worse for those tempted to get out of the city and explore different parts of the region, but the drivers will be that much crazier and eager to get where they are going.

Similar to other summer holidays like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, Labor Day has proven to be one of the riskiest times for a driver to be on the road. Ultimately, according to a survey of statistics available between 2011 and 2015, Value Penguin found Labor Day to be the second most dangerous holiday for drivers, with 308 fatal accidents per year. In comparison, the most dangerous holiday was found to be Memorial Day, which resulted in 312 accidents per year. To no one’s surprise, the cities that contributed the most to these alarming numbers were the likes of Houston and Los Angeles, where driving is essentially necessary anywhere you go. For a city like Chicago, where public transit is exceptional in terms of allowing residents to navigate downtown and the surrounding suburbs, this may not seem like as much of an issue; however, with so many people leaving and entering the city limits for their dose of late summer fun, the Illinois Tollway has stated that it now expects roughly 8 million vehicles to pass through the state freeway system, with around 2 million vehicles expected to be on the road on Friday. While those numbers seem almost comical, they present a harsh reality for those living in large metropolitan areas.

Patch Illinois recently wrote a piece on this same topic regarding the best and worst times to be on the roads for the upcoming weekend. The worst time to travel for drivers will be on Friday, August 30th as most people use that day for travelling to their destinations and plan on doing so early in the morning. Unfortunately, the issue for those hoping to beat rush hour and leave early is that most people travelling are thinking of doing the exact same thing. To put it lightly, traffic will be bad, and it will cause some to drive dangerously. Fortunately, there are a variety of sources providing great tips on things drivers can do to make traveling during this time of the year much safer.

Staying Safe While Enjoying the Holiday

We all want to enjoy the extended weekend and while traffic certainly puts a damper on the experience, USA Today has provided several key tips that may help make your experience just a little better:

  • Staying Safe – USA states that “there are two major reasons for accidents on highways: losing concentration while driving and ignoring the risk of big trucks. While both factors are incredibly dangerous, the former poses even more risks to others on the roads. Many will be drinking and enjoying their extended weekend with family and friends, but it is necessary that you let others drive. Monitor yourself if you have been drinking and certainly don’t risk getting behind the wheel.
  • Getting Your Car in Shape – “A routine check of the engine, radiator and fluids will go a long way. Tires should be well inflated and wiper fluid should be replenished. Also, check that the steering wheel and brakes work properly.” Ensuring that your vehicle is running properly and is equipped with all the proper safety features and measures necessary to drive safely is essential. Not only will your drive be far more difficult if a mechanical issue occurs, but you become part of the problem when you are forced to pull over those three lanes of traffic in the middle of rush hour. Be sure to have your vehicle maintenance up to date and keep yourself going to your destination.
  • Avoiding the Madness – “The most important thing you can do is leave early. Take on the highways early Saturday morning or before rush hour on Friday. If you’re driving on Labor Day, follow the same rules. Most people will brave their return home in the early evening or late afternoon. Try getting to the highways before 4 p.m. or after 10 p.m. and you should be in much better shape.” Although we previously said that the traffic will be bad no matter what over the weekend, you really are putting yourself in a better situation as far as traffic and safety goes. City drivers are already notoriously “wild” in terms of following the laws of the road, the smaller number of drivers you can be around during one of the busiest traffic days of the year, the better.

Overall, we have a responsibility to keep ourselves and others safe, just like any other day of the year. Just know that there will be dangers out there and drivers will be incredibly eager to get to where they are going. Following these tips is just a start for making your Labor Day weekend that much better. Stay safe out there and enjoy the holiday!

Trucking Industry to Have Drive-Time Rules Deregulated

July 12, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Under the Trump Administration, the Transportation Department is looking to curb a longstanding rule, which requires drivers to stop driving once they hit their 14th hour on the road. In addition to mandating that commercial drivers stay off the roads once they hit this limit, they must then take 10 consecutive hours off from driving before they can get back on the road. For those drivers who are set to drive for more than 8 hours at a time, it is also mandatory that they take a 30-minute break prior to reaching the 8-hour mark. The Trump administration and trucking industry lobbyists argue that these rules, regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), go too far in regulating commercial drivers due to the overall effect that inclement weather, poor traffic, and the rules themselves have on drivers being able complete their deliveries in a timely manner.

While those lobbying for changes to the current rules state that the regulations hinder driver’s abilities to get paid and ultimately keep truck drivers off the roads, the most important thing to remember is the reason as to why these rules were adopted in the first place. Just like any job throughout the United States, it is mandatory that employees be given at least a 30-minute break for every 8 hours of work. In any job, these breaks are mandatory to ensure that employees are not overworked and as we all know, if we are overworked, our productivity takes a significant hit. With that being said, why should the rules be different for truck drivers? Because America is so dependent on ground shipping and can’t be forced to deal with delays? The point of this is to say that the data in no way supports the argument that these lobbyists are making. As PBS NewsHour reported on July 1st, “there were 4,657 large trucks involved in fatal crashes in 2017, a 10% increase from the year before, according to a May report issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration . . . Sixty of the truckers in these accidents were identified as ‘asleep or fatigued,’ although the National Transportation Safety Board has said this type of driver impairment is likely underreported on police crash forms.”

Ultimately, this news will mean that if federal regulations are relaxed, allowing commercial truck drivers to stay on the road longer, safety measures will come down to self-checks by the drivers. All drivers should become knowledgeable of safety tips to ensure they are keeping the roads a safe place for all drivers, no matter the importance of meeting delivery needs. Here is a pamphlet created by the CDC, which provides great tips and resources for such things as sleeping disorders, driving at night, and drowsy driving. It all comes down to staying safe on the roads. Statistics establish that truck drivers who are fatigued do pose a serious risk to other drivers, so be sure to review the material available and keep others safe.

Sleep Apnea Proves to be a Contributing Factor

As we are aware that fatigued driving already plays a major role in traffic crashes throughout the United States, it’s important for us to remember that some drivers may also be experiencing certain conditions that naturally make driving fatigued a regular part of their day. This fatigue is then only made worse by the fact that drivers are working incredibly tough jobs. An article published by Sleephelp, states that “sleeping with sleep apnea causes the same amount of fatigue as getting less than 5 hours of sleep per night . . . Sleep apnea is exacerbated and, in some cases, caused by obesity. Since truck drivers are among the most likely workers to be obese (38.6% struggled with obesity, according to one study), sleep apnea and the ensuing drowsiness is more likely to be an issue for them that it is for other people.” Similar to a recent post we wrote regarding drug use among commercial truck drivers, we are not saying that each truck driver is affected be these types of sleeping disorders or levels of fatigue; however, the statistics show that people within the industry are more likely to experience these issues. In addition to the factors likely to lead to sleep apnea, the FMCSA has also provided information regarding the overall risk factors and symptoms associated with the sleeping disorder. Overall, the FMCSA list the risk factors of sleep apnea as:

  • A family history of sleep apnea
  • Having a small upper airway
  • Being overweight
  • Having a recessed chin, small jaw, or a large overbite
  • A large neck size (17 inches or greater for men, 16 inches or greater for women)
  • Smoking and alcohol use
  • Being age 40 or older
  • Ethnicity

Additionally, according to the FMCSA, the symptoms of sleep apnea include:

  • Loud snoring
  • Morning headaches and nausea
  • Gasping or choking while sleeping
  • Loss of sex drive/impotence
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Irritability and/or feelings of depression
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Concentration and memory problems
  • Frequent nighttime urination

Overall, if you have concerns that you may be afflicted by sleep apnea and its overall effects on your ability to drive, feel free to go ahead and download this form, which helps inform individuals on how to deal with the disorder. By learning about this disorder, especially by individuals within the trucking industry, it will go much farther in establishing safer roads for all.

Rising Drug Abuse Poses Significant Threats to Road Safety

June 20, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

As we are all well aware, the United States is facing an ongoing opioid crisis it has long been struggling to control. With a total of 11.4 million people misusing prescription opioids in 2017, it is easy to see the ramifications of the opioid epidemic have found their way into the lives of commercial truck drivers throughout the United States. As of January 1st, 2018, any individual taking a Department of Transportation federally mandated drug test, as those with a commercial driver’s license must do, would be subject to testing not only for drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamines, but for semi-synthetic opioids like OxyContin, Percodan, Percocet, and Vicodin. This expansion upon the previous drug testing regulations embodies how the trucking industry has had to deal with the issue of drugs among its drivers. While opioids statistically are not the most prevalent drugs being used by drivers within the trucking industry, the new drug testing regulations confirm what many within the industry have known for years; the drug crisis America faces has hit one of its largest industries the hardest.

On June 12, 2019, the Alliance for Driver Safety & Security, what many in the industry know as the “Trucking Alliance,” submitted a statement to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Sub-Committee on Highways and Transit regarding the state of drug use within America’s trucking industry. As part of its statement to Congress, the Trucking Alliance provided data which had been given to the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and found compelling evidence of severe drug use among commercial drivers. The data showed results of “151,662 truck driver applicants, who were asked to submit to two drug tests – a urinalysis and a hair analysis. Almost all applicants held an active commercial driver’s license.” In addition, 94% of the applicants tested drug-free; however, there were thousands of applicants who failed either one or both of the tests given. Making the issue far worse, the urinalysis test, which happens to be the only method used by USDOT, actually did not identify a majority of users, missing 9 out of 10 actual illicit drug users. On the other hand, the Trucking Alliance has proposed that USDOT begin mandating a hair analysis to be conducted in addition to the current urinalysis routine. In total, the Trucking Alliance has now stated that based on the estimated 3.5 million commercial drivers within the United States, the data compiled would result in roughly 301,000 commercial drivers failing or refusing a hair analysis. Even though this number appears shocking, it only begins to convey the hazard that such drivers pose to road safety.

Drug Use Among Drivers is Leading to Dangerous Roads

Part of the Trucking Alliance’s plea to Congress on June 12th was to make certain that motorists are not placed in more danger due to a commercial driver’s potential drug abuse problem. As evidenced by the survey conducted, public safety is at risk if trucking companies fail to acknowledge and appropriately test for drugs that have been proven to be rampant within the industry itself. In fact, a Quest Diagnostics analysis conducted between 2015 and 2017, found that commercial drivers who went through post-accident testing saw an increase in positive drug-testing rates rising 51%, from 3.1% in 2017 all the way to 4.7% in 2018.

Of course, the trucking industry is not the only one afflicted by the ongoing drug crisis in the United States; however, as in other industries of high stress and long hours, drug abuse seems all the more likely. With that being said, it is absolutely essential that employers take this data seriously and consider adopting new, more accurate drug tests, in addition to the mandated urinalysis test that has been proven to fail. For the health of the commercial drivers spending hours on the road alone and for the overall well being of the general public, employers must do all they can to keep unsafe drivers off the road.

The Effects of Driving Impaired

While the opioid epidemic is a crisis that must be addressed, many companies are actually finding that the legalization of marijuana through various states in the US is also contributing to driver impairment. Trucking Info’s recent Safety and Compliance report cited an interview with the American Trucking Association’s Abigail Potter, Manager of Safety & Occupational Health Policy. Abigail recently mentioned that even if a driver is operating a vehicle under 26,000 pounds, “you still have to be medically qualified to operate, and one of the requirements is to not use a controlled substance, which include marijuana.” Further, being impaired by marijuana causes “drivers to exhibit poor judgment, decreased motor coordination, and decreased reaction time,” leading drivers to be all the more likely to get into an accident and place others at risk. If these are the effects that marijuana has on drivers, now imagine the impairment that such drivers experience from opioids, which have proven to be prevalent in the trucking industry as the US experiences this ongoing crisis.

What Can Be Done

As it appears the best way to directly attack the ongoing issues within the trucking industry is based solely on understanding who is actually being affected by drug abuse, creating an appropriate guideline for company testing is the most appropriate way to start. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides a checklist to help employers with drug testing. The checklist includes the following:

  • Identify any federal or state laws with which you must comply
  • Consult union officials, if applicable
  • Identify and contact a laboratory certified by the Department of Health and Human Services
  • Create a system that maintains and protects the confidentiality of employee drug testing records
  • Designate an employee who will receive test results from the lab and keep results confidential
  • Develop a clear, consistent and fair policy before reviewing it with legal counsel
  • Notify employees 30 to 60 days before implementing the testing program
  • Contract with a medical review officer; and
  • Inform employees that organization leadership will comply with the policy

The most important thing to keep in mind for trucking companies overseeing this process is to know that there is data suggesting that opting for an additional hair analysis drug test will likely result in far more accurate readings. While the country is as reliant as ever on trucking to transport goods from place to place, that does not mean we should sacrifice driver and road safety to keep more commercial drivers in the industry without getting help. We need to be smart and make certain that everyone on the road remains safe.

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