Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers: Stricter Drug Testing Rules
February 1, 2017
Whenever someone gets behind the wheel of motor vehicle after taking drugs or consuming too much alcohol, they are putting their lives and the lives of other drivers on the road at risk. This is especially true for commercial truck drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol because a truck accident involving an 80,000-pound semi-truck can have particularly devastating consequences. In an effort to prevent drug-related truck accidents, the Department of Transportation is requiring anyone with a commercial driver’s license to register with a database any time they fail, or refuse to take a drug test.
Since 1991, when Congress passed the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act, there has been mandatory drug and alcohol testing for any individual who holds a commercial driver’s license. Any driver who failed a drug test, or refused to take one, had to be removed from driving duty. However, by creating a central database, which will be operated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, all of this information will be in one place. In the past, this information was not organized, and there were a number of incidents where truck drivers caused serious accidents because they were driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
According to a comprehensive study that reviewed 36 individual studies on drug abuse in the trucking industry, approximately half of all truck drivers admitted that they drink alcohol while driving. Thirty percent said that they used amphetamines while operating a truck. Another 20 percent admitted to using marijuana, and three percent said they used cocaine while driving.
Part of the problem lies in the fact that truck drivers are under a great deal of pressure to deliver their cargo and meet strict deadlines. This means that they often drive long hours without sleep. As a result, some turn to stimulant drugs to help keep them awake and alert. Many of these drugs are unsafe, and can be highly addictive. Creating stricter drug laws, and regular testing, where the results are compiled and stored in an organized, central location can help reduce the number of serious trucking accidents.
Maryland Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Seek Maximum Compensation for Truck Accident Victims
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured or killed in a truck accident involving a driver who was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you are urged to contact the Maryland truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. Driving a truck while intoxicated is a serious offense, which can cause devastating injuries and damage to your vehicle. Our dedicated team will thoroughly review the events surrounding your accident and hold the negligent parties responsible for their actions. We will not stop until we obtain the financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled truck accident lawyers, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4528) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent victims of truck accidents in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
