Truck Driver Drug Usage

Drug usage in the United States is one of the top reasons why automobile and truck accidents happen with such frequency.  Millions of Americans use drugs for a variety of reasons, often times abusing them.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducted a study to see if truck drivers could cheat on their random drug test.  According to GAO, 75 percent of the drug testing sites did not supervise the test and the undercover investigators had unfettered access to substances that could be used to dilute the urine specimens including soap, air freshener, and water.  The investigators were also able to contaminate and add drug-masking chemicals while in the specimen rooms without being observed. 

Common Intoxicating/Controlled Substances Used:

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Heroin
• Cocaine
• Amphetamines

Many truck drivers use controlled substances to assist them to stay awake during their long and strenuous schedules. They have rushed time frames and often times, truck driver fatigue takes over, leaving the truck driver defenseless against their exhaustion. Exhaustion is not an excuse to consume drugs since intoxication of any degree can cause serious consequences.

According to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), most medical patients take their prescribed medication responsibly. On the other hand, reports from a one year study conducted by the National Institute on Drug Use (NIDA) has shown that approximately 9 million Americans used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes. Non-medical purposes include misusing prescription drugs for recreation and for psychic effects--to get high, to have fun, to get a lift, to calm down, and for relaxing effects.

Many truck drivers use controlled substances to help them to stay awake during long and strenuous hauls.  They have overburdened schedules and unrealistic deadlines that often lead to driver fatigue and stress.  This pressure creates anxiety leaving the truck driver defenseless against their exhaustion.  Exhaustion is not an excuse to consume drugs; on the contrary, drug use leads to impaired driving, slows reflexes, and clouds judgment opening the door to driver error. 

According to a study conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), one out of every three truck drivers examined after they died in truck accidents had traces of recent drug or alcohol use in their system.  The safety board depicted the study as the most complete investigation ever conducted of drug and alcohol abuse in the interstate trucking industry.  NTSB officials also claim the study offers the most comprehensive substantiation of the dangers of drug and alcohol use by truck drivers.

The NTSB and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) investigated fatal-to-the-driver trucking accidents and performed comprehensive drug screening the bodies of the drivers. 

The study found that out of 168 cases:

• Sixty-seven percent of the drivers had detectable traces of one or more drugs 
• Thirty-three percent of the drivers had detectable blood concentrations of psychoactive drugs or alcohol
• Thirteen percent of the drivers had traces of cannabinoids or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
• Thirteen percent of the drivers had traces of ethanol or alcohol
• Eight percent of the drivers had traces of Cocaine or benzoylecgonine
• Seven percent of the driver had traces of amphetamine or methamphetamine
• Seven percent of the driver had traces of phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine, or pseudoephedrine

Truck driver drug usage is a common factor in truck accidents. If you or someone you know has been involved in a drug related truck accident, contact one of our experienced truck accident lawyers in your area today!

Updated: LW

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Truck driver drug usage is a common factor in truck accidents. If you or someone you know has been involved in a drug related truck accident, contact one of our experienced truck accident attorneys in your area today!