While any vehicle accident has the potential to result in catastrophic injuries, accidents involving tractor-trailers and other large commercial trucks are often the most devastating, leading to severe injuries and fatalities. Our Virginia Beach truck accident attorneys have represented many families who have suffered tragic losses because of the negligent actions of truck drivers. One unfortunate issue that has become a significant cause of these crashes is commercial truck driver drug use.
One way used to combat commercial truck drivers operating under the influence is the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, a national database established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in 2020. This online database gives employers and government agencies real-time access to information about CDL driver drug and alcohol program violations. A new report is issued each month, revealing the number of violations issued. For example, in the most recent report issued (May 2024), 5,705 commercial truck drivers were reported for violating DUI regulations. The year-to-date total is 27,026.
However, data collected by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) from one major study reveals that the number of truck drivers who have cocaine, opioids, and other drugs in their system is actually much higher than what is appearing in the database.
Drug Testing Accuracy
The study was conducted by the Alliance for Driver Safety & Security (Trucking Alliance) and the University of Central Arkansas.
In its findings, researchers identified two alarming concerns. The first finding was that truck drivers are using cocaine significantly more often than marijuana. This finding has also been the conclusion of earlier studies.
The study also found that the Clearinghouse’s limited testing method makes its results inaccurate. The Clearinghouse only uses urine tests, which the researchers say are less accurate than hair follicle drug testing. They concluded that if hair follicle tests were the standard used, approximately twice the number of commercial truck drivers tested by the federal government would be disqualified for driving while impaired.
Test Results
To reach their conclusions, researchers looked at 1.5 million pre-employment urine drug tests recorded in the Clearinghouse and just under 600,000 urine and hair tests submitted by carriers to the Trucking Alliance for pre-employment drug tests.
For drivers disqualified from driving because of drug test results, cocaine was identified 16 percent more frequently and opioids 14 percent more frequently than what the Clearinghouse was reporting. Overall, researchers found that hair follicle testing detected the presence of drugs 825 percent more frequently than urine testing alone.
If hair testing were the current Clearinghouse drug testing method, an additional 58,910 truck drivers would have been disqualified from operating commercial trucks. This is almost double the total test results the Clearinghouse puts in prohibited status each year.
Benefits of Hair Follicle Testing
Congress authorized hair follicle drug testing for both pre-employment testing and random testing of commercial truck drivers in 2015. When testing an individual’s hair follicle, their drug use for the prior 90 days can be determined. Some of the more common drugs hair follicle testing can reveal include:
- Amphetamine
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy
- Marijuana
- Meth (Methamphetamine)
- Opioids (codeine, morphine, etc.)
Call Our Personal Injury Law Firm
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident caused by a truck driver operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol, contact Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to speak with one of our dedicated Virginia Beach truck accident attorneys. Truck accidents can be more complex than other types of motor vehicle accidents because, depending on the crash’s circumstances, multiple parties may be liable for a victim’s injuries.
Our personal injury law firm has successfully represented many clients and their families who have suffered terrible losses, like the $225,000 settlement we obtained for one client who could no longer work in her chosen career after a tractor-trailer driver smashed into her vehicle twice.
With almost four decades of legal experience behind us, we will get you the best possible outcome based on the circumstances of your case.