Most truckers understand that when they’re in an accident with their vehicle on the job, they are required to have a drug screening afterward to make sure the accident wasn’t caused by intoxication.
However, what many truckers may not know is that they’re only subject to drug screening after the accident if the accident meets the criteria of DOT compliance.
Here are the situations in which a truck driver would be required to have a post-accident DOT drug and alcohol test.
Human Fatality
If the truck driver is involved in an accident and a human or humans are killed, they will be required to take a post-accident drug screening.
Ticket And Citation, Plus Towed Vehicle
If the truck driver is involved in an accident, receives a ticket or citation, and the damage to the vehicle is so much so that it needs to be towed, the driver will be required to take a post-accident drug screening.
Ticket And Citation, Plus Injury To A Person
If the truck driver is involved in an accident, receives a ticket or citation, and has injured another person to the point that they need medical attention, the driver will be required to take a post-accident drug screening.
When this criteria is met, the driver will be asked to take an alcohol and drug screening. Both should be taken immediately—the alcohol test no later than eight hours, and the drug screening no later than 32 hours (although the ideal timeframe would be within two hours for both).
What Happens In The Meantime?
The results of an alcohol test are immediate, but the results if a drug screening take a few days. If a driver’s alcohol test comes back positive, they will obviously be taken out of service. This is treated as the very serious matter that it is, and the driver will still receive the drug screening as well. As someone who has violated DOT regulations, the driver will not be able to drive for work again until they’ve completed a Substance Abuse Professional Process.
If the alcohol test comes back negative, the next actions taken depend on the particular company’s written workplace drug policy, since DOT compliance doesn’t dictate whether the driver is taken out of service or not.
When a driver causes an accident and for whatever reason the alcohol and drug screening specialists cannot reach them in the right amount of time to do the testing, a supervisor from the company can do the testing instead, or a member of law enforcement can as well.
When accidents are caused by commercial drivers, it’s always unfortunate and, if someone gets hurt, it’s tragic. This is why DOT drug screenings are set firmly in place, and companies like Consortium Pool work hard to keep public roads safe.
If you want to learn more about DOT compliance, drug screenings, and the requirements involved, take a look at our DOT Compliance page. We are a DOT alcohol and drug testing consortium. Feel free to take a look at the programs that we offer, and contact us if you have any questions!