Drunk Truckers

Testing for drug and alcohol use in drivers of commercial vehicles is very important and could potentially save thousands of lives. This statistic resource states, "In 2004, 1159 truck accidents took place in Oregon, which resulted in fatalities, injuries, or damage to other vehicles." (http://www.legalinfo.com)And goes on to claim that the number grow more and more every year. As I read Special Report: Drug testing needs improvement not clearinghouse many methods used to test drugs are passive and guarantee no safety due to false positives and positive test results not being handled properly. It concerns me most that these drivers aren't more carefully screened seeing as how more commercial vehicles are being used each day. Most of these men and women probably don't consider the fact that even though you may think you have control you don't, under most narcotics and depressants. Also ignoring the fact that a 23,000 will be fatal to anyone in say the Honda Civic in the passing lane. Because the machinery these people operate are so dangerous and ultimately unpredictable it is essential to beef up screening techniques for drivers because of the damage an 18-wheeler can do. In the passage it does offer a solution stating that drivers not using drugs are able to reduce their testing. Although this idea may be ideal to the men being tested I personally believe that this will do nothing to keep users from driving under the influence. Instead may be used as a way to cheat the system and in turn reward active users for holding off long enough that if they succeed they wont be tested as much. Not at all eliminating any highway risks or traffic fatalities. A solution I do think would be effective is hold the penalty for usage higher. So that drivers wont even consider the drugs or drunk driving because they don't want to be put in a position they are unable to come out of. Raising fear to reduce risk.