When cars and commercial trucks collide in Indiana, the drivers and passengers in the smaller vehicles tend to suffer the most serious injuries. When a truck driver is under the influence, the chances of a truck wreck increase. This is particularly disconcerting given that the number of truckers driving under the influence of drugs is on the rise.
According to Transport Topics, data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse showed a notable uptick in commercial trucker drug violations in 2021 compared to the year prior.
Clearinghouse findings
Data shows that there were 5,405 more semi-truck driver drug violations logged in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse in 2021 than there were in 2020. This is a 10% increase and includes drug violations ranging from truckers failing drug tests to truckers refusing to take drug tests. However, positive drug tests comprised the majority of trucker drug violations logged in the clearinghouse during both years. Most positive tests involved truckers using marijuana. However, the number of truckers receiving violations involving cocaine also rose between 2020 and 2021.
Clearinghouse rules for employers
Employers of truckers must follow certain clearinghouse mandates to help make the nation’s roads safer. They must run a potential truck driver’s name through the clearinghouse to check for drug violations before hiring him or her. Employers also have an obligation to run a check on each CDL driver they currently employ, at minimum, annually.
Truck drivers, too, must meet certain clearinghouse compliance requirements. They must register with the clearinghouse and consent to screenings as part of their employment terms.