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GAO-08-829R 1 (2008-06-30)

handle is hein.gao/gaobaanil0001 and id is 1 raw text is: I GA 0 T I IAccountability * Integrity * Reliability United States Government Accountability Office Washington, DC 20548 June 30, 2008 The Honorable James L. Oberstar Chairman Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure House of Representatives The Honorable Peter A. DeFazio Chairman Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure House of Representative Subject: Examples of Job Hopping by Commercial Drivers after Failing Drug Tests Millions of American drivers hold commercial driver's licenses (CDL), allowing them to operate a variety of commercial vehicles, such as school buses, cargo vans, and tractor trailers. While most commercial drivers do not test positive for drugs and alcohol, Department of Transportation (DOT) data show that each year from 1994 through 2005, from 1.3 percent to 2.8 percent of truck drivers tested positive for the presence of illegal drugs under random testing. However, as our recent investigation shows, the current DOT drug testing process can easily be defeated with products, such as synthetic urine, that are widely available for sale.' To help prevent accidents resulting from commercial drivers who use drugs and alcohol, federal law requires commercial drivers to be tested for drug and alcohol use.2 Specifically, the testing is required as part of the preemployment screening process, on a random basis while employed, and following an accident involving a fatality. Commercial drivers who fail a drug test, refuse to test, or otherwise violate the drug testing regulations are required to complete a return-to-duty process before returning to the road. The return-to-duty process is guided by a substance abuse professional and must include education or treatment, return-to-duty testing, and follow-up testing. However, among the commercial drivers who test positive for illegal drugs, an unknown number continue to drive without completing the required return-to-duty process. Those who do not go through the return-to-duty process and continue to 'GAO, Drug Testing: Undercover Tests Reveal Significant Vulnerabilities in DOT's Drug Testing Program, GAO-08-225T (Washington, D.C.: Nov. 1, 2007). 249 U.S.C. § 31306. GAO-08-829R Page I

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