Study Shows Substance Abuse Common Among Commercial Truck Drivers
The trucking industry is vital to the U.S. economy, delivering goods to consumers across the country. Many assume those who drive large semi trucks are more skilled and careful than the average driver, since they control such large vehicles. However, many truck drivers put others’ safety at risk by driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A study published in the October 2013 issue of Occupational and Environmental Medicine revealed an alarming rate of substance abuse among commercial vehicle drivers . People should be aware of the extent of this problem, as well as the threat to public safety that it poses. Examining substance abuse among truckers Researchers looked at the data collected in 36 studies performed around the world dating back to 2000 and going through the present to try to get a sense of the extent to which truck drivers use drugs and alcohol while driving. A majority of the studies were conducted in large countries such as the U.S., Australia and Brazil, where trucking is common. Of the studies, 23 relied on truckers to report their chemical use and the other 13 used biological samples from truckers. The studies showed that the most popular chemicals that truckers use are alcohol, amphetamines, marijuana and cocaine. The rates of use of each chemical varied among the studies, and researchers hypothesized that the range was due to the differing methods of obtaining information. Biological samples tended to report lower use, due to the short window of time that most of the chemicals remain in the body. Alcohol use among truckers while on the job ranged from 10 percent to 91 percent. The number of truckers using methamphetamines ranged from 0.2 percent to 82.5 percent. Marijuana use ranged from 0.2 percent to 30 percent, and cocaine use ranged from 0.1 percent to just over 8 percent. Public safety threat The rate with which truckers use alcohol and drugs while on the job is alarming because of the threat it holds for all those on the road. The researchers working on the study noted that alcohol and marijuana are known depressants, which work to dull reaction times and decrease coordination – and can lead to fatal accidents when a driver is operating a semi truck. Many of the truckers responding to surveys of chemical use reported that they turned to amphetamines and cocaine as a way to battle fatigue. However, even though these drugs help fight tiredness, studies have shown that drivers using such stimulants take more risks and pay less attention to traffic laws. Talk to an attorney Any time a person gets behind the wheel after having consumed drugs or alcohol it puts others’ lives in danger. When the wheel that the driver gets behind steers a semi truck, the danger increases. Truck drivers have a duty to operate their rigs safely, and when they fail to meet that duty, others suffer. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, speak with a skilled truck accident lawyer who can help you recover for your losses.
Hazards Overlooked In Federal Bus Safety Audits
Commercial vehicles such as buses and large trucks are regulated by the federal government to ensure the safety of those who travel in them and those who share the road with them. However, a new report revealed that the federal agency charged with the task of inspecting commercial carriers is not meeting its duties. On November 7, 2013, the National Transportation Safety Board announced the results of its investigation into the effectiveness of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s oversight of motor carrier operations in the U.S. and called for improvements. Missed Warning Signs The NTSB launched its investigation after four commercial vehicle accidents, which killed 25 people and injured 83 more, occurred within a six-month span in 2012-13. The NTSB found that the FMCSA had awareness of safety issues with each commercial carrier company prior to the auto accidents, but failed to put the carriers out of commission until the safety violations were remedied as they should have done. In some cases, the FMCSA had failed to notice some safety hazards in its inspections of commercial carriers. In one of the accidents that the NTSB investigated, the FMCSA had conducted a compliance review of a bus company one month prior to the bus accident and had rated the company “satisfactory” — the highest safety rating possible. However, the FMCSA never examined any of the company’s busses during the review and failed to inspect many of the company’s records because they were not onsite. Lax Oversight NTSB officials said that their investigation into the FMCSA reinforced the common perception that the FMCSA is too slack in enforcing safety standards prior to accidents occurring, and that the agency only reacts after major accidents happen. Many in the commercial carrier industry view FMCSA safety citations and temporary orders to ground vehicles as merely the cost of doing business, cheaper than actually maintaining vehicles to meet safety standards consistently. The NTSB report of its investigation results recommended a complete audit of the FMCSA’s oversight process in order to discover why inspectors are not catching all safety violations. Additionally, the NTSB recommended that the FMSCA stop using “focused compliance reviews” so often, where only a portion of a commercial carrier’s business is reviewed. Speak with an Attorney Commercial carriers have a duty to keep their fleets in good working order, but some choose to place profits over safety and skimp on maintenance of their vehicles. When a commercial carrier’s negligence causes an accident, the carrier needs to be held accountable. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, talk to a seasoned motor vehicle accident attorney with a history of recovering compensation for those injured by commercial vehicles.