Driving a truck is hard work. For this reason, trucking companies must carefully screen driver applicants before allowing them to haul cargo in a big rig. Drivers who are in some way compromised pose a tremendous danger to themselves and others and may cause accidents while out on the road.
One of the most important aspects of a driver applicant?s background check is the drug and alcohol test. The test can help determine if the applicant has a substance abuse problem. The Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration sets the testing requirements. Companies are strictly prohibited from using a driver prior to receiving verification in the form of a negative drug test.
The Department of Transportation specifies that companies must issue driver applicants tests for alcohol and several different substances, including marijuana, amphetamines, opiates and cocaine. Companies must be able to confirm that a driver applicant?s previous employers have no records of the driver having violated drug and alcohol rules during the prior six months.
The importance of testing and monitoring truck drivers for alcohol and substance abuse issues cannot be overstated. A driver who operates a tractor-trailer while impaired is a serious safety threat. Trucking companies must adhere to all requirements that are in place to keep unsafe drivers off the road.
Should you ever be in a truck accident that was caused by a driver you believe was in some way intoxicated, you may find a Pennsylvania personal injury attorney of service. The attorney could do a background check on the driver and the company to see if any testing violations occurred prior to the accident. This information could prove useful in determining liability for the purpose of seeking compensation.