DOT Drug Testing in Sterling, CO
Screen Employees
The Department of Transportation has special rules that govern what employees in the transportation sector can and cannot do. In fact, transportation is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the country. This is why A & D Compliance Services offers DOT testing services to screen employees for drug use in Sterling, CO.
Keeping Everyone Safe
Truck drivers and others who transport goods around the country are responsible for operating very large vehicles that help get items from Point A to Point B. They are essential workers who have a lot of trust put into their hands. We all expect them to do the job accurately, professionally, and safely. However, that is not possible if the employee is under the influence of drugs. Thus, it is necessary for all transportation workers to undergo routine testing for drug use.
DOT testing for drugs is required on a routine basis for truck drivers, and it is also required any time a driver has been involved in an accident. These are the moments when it is necessary to know what kind of factors may have led to the accident. If it is determined that drugs may have been involved, the driver can be in a lot more trouble with their employer and from a legal perspective.
Regulating the Roads
The thing about DOT testing is that it is not solely meant as a means of punishment for those who use drugs. Rather, it is also meant to regulate the industry and ensure that drivers aren’t using substances that can keep them awake for longer or otherwise put themselves and others in dangerous situations.
There is a lot of push within the industry to get materials moved from where they are to where they are going as rapidly as possible. Some drivers will feel the push to go just a little farther than they ought to in order to make it to their destination. That said, this can lead to dangerous conditions because it means that they are pushing themselves beyond the point of exhaustion. When that happens, their driving becomes more unpredictable, and they may cause an accident on the road.
Testing for drugs is a great way to make sure all drivers who are regulated by the DOT are following the same set of rules as everyone else.
Non-Dot Testing
Transportation companies (and any other type of company for that matter) may also choose to conduct testing that is not specifically mandated by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The company may simply want to know the specifics about an employee who they suspect may be under the influence of drugs. Also, the company may want to know for its internal purposes if the person that they are considering hiring has tested positive for illegal drugs. Either way, this is not directly DOT mandated, but it can be extremely useful information for the employer.