FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Strike Force Removes Truck, Commercial Drivers from the Road

In October 2009, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced that 77 commercial bus and truck drivers had been booted off the road, and that over 80 carriers faced enforcement action as a result of the agencys first national drug and alcohol strike force.

From September 8 to 18, 2009, safety investigators at the FMCSA examined the drug and alcohol safety records of commercial drivers. The 77 drivers no longer allowed to operate commercial vehicles had failed to adhere to federal drug and alcohol regulations. At the time of the announcement, most of the drivers also faced the prospect of additional civil penalties.

The commercial carriers faced pending enforcement action for violations including having used a driver who had tested positive for illegal drugs, and not implementing a drug and alcohol testing program. An FMCSA spokesperson mentioned that the names of the carriers would be made public in the future.

The goal of the FMCSA strike force is to identify motor carriers in violation of federal drug and alcohol testing requirements and to remove commercial truck and bus drivers who jump from carrier to carrier to evade federal drug and alcohol testing and reporting requirements from the road.

Both the drivers and the carriers will have an opportunity to contest the alleged violations and the corresponding civil penalties.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood remarked “violators of our drug and alcohol policies have no business driving a commercial vehicle. Programs like the drug and alcohol strike force are helping remove the most dangerous offenders from our roadways.”