Carriers advised to update drug-test practices after rule change

Jan 03, 2020 at 08:59 AM CST
The random drug-test increase from 25% to 50% of the average number of a carrier’s drivers was made public by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on Dec. 26. The agency estimated doubling the rate would cost the trucking industry an additional $50 million to $70 million for calendar year 2020. “The cost to double the rate of testing is the most obvious implication for companies,” J.J. Keller Transport Safety Editor Kathy Close told FreightWaves. “But carriers also need to make sure their third-party administrator — if they’re using one — is testing at the appropriate rate because it is the carrier that is responsible for the actions of their service provider.” She added that carriers could be exposed to penalties if compliance is not up to date. “It’s important that they’re checking in with whoever is managing their drug and alcohol program to make sure they’re made aware of the change.”

Jan 03, 2020 at 08:59 AM CST

The random drug-test increase from 25% to 50% of the average number of a carrier’s drivers was made public by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on Dec. 26. The agency estimated doubling the rate would cost the trucking industry an additional $50 million to $70 million for calendar year 2020. “The cost to double the rate of testing is the most obvious implication for companies,” J.J. Keller Transport Safety Editor Kathy Close told FreightWaves. “But carriers also need to make sure their third-party administrator — if they’re using one — is testing at the appropriate rate because it is the carrier that is responsible for the actions of their service provider.” She added that carriers could be exposed to penalties if compliance is not up to date. “It’s important that they’re checking in with whoever is managing their drug and alcohol program to make sure they’re made aware of the change.”