The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) created a database to record truck driver’s compliance history to prevent them from job-hopping if they failed a drug test. The database recorded more than 56,000 truck driver violations related to drug and alcohol use. In fact, 1,203 of the total driver violations were related to high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels– most of which were drivers who tested with a BAC of 0.04 percent or higher.
Drug & Alcohol Violations
The FMCSA found that “positive drug tests accounted for 84 percent of the total violations reported.” The 56,000 violations overwhelmingly included drivers who tested positive for drug use but also included those who declined to take a drug test or were suspected of cheating on a test.
Out of the 184,124 truck drivers tested, 45,000 of them lost their jobs due to the violations. Drivers who want to get back to work must complete a return-to-work program; however, 34,000 workers have not yet completed the program. Industry leaders are concerned that those drivers will be leaving their jobs as commercial drivers permanently.
Increasing Industry Findings
The new database record is capturing violations by drivers and could potentially reduce the number of truck accidents related to alcohol and drug use. However, the database does present shocking data that proves truck driver violations related to alcohol and drug use are a significant problem. Driving under the influence severely impairs the driving abilities of an individual, and the results of impaired driving can be even more catastrophic with an 80,000-pound vehicle.
San Francisco Truck Accident Attorney
If you or your loved one have been injured in a truck accident, you are entitled to seek compensation for your loss. Our California truck accident lawyers have secured billions of dollars on behalf of our clients. We know that the time after a truck accident can be difficult–especially if you are dealing with extensive medical bills, lost wages, and physical pain. We can investigate your claim and help you achieve the best possible results for your case.
Contact our San Francisco truck accident lawyers today at (415) 352-6264 to schedule a case review!