U.S. may change post-accident alcohol-testing rules

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 2) — The U.S. Federal Highway Administration is considering whether police officers should be required to conduct post-accident alcohol tests of truck and bus drivers.

Post-accident testing is currently the responsibility of a driver’s employer and, to some extent, the driver himself. Current rules allow up to eight hours to perform the test, but if it’s not administered within two hours after the accident, reasons must be documented and kept on file.

Canadian drivers operating in the United States must abide by federal drug-testing rules there.

Mandated by Congress, the agency will conduct a study to consider shifting some of the responsibility to law enforcement officers. Many feel this will not only relieve the burden for carriers, but also assure more timely information.
FHWA has asked for public comment on two main issues: the impact of current post-accident testing requirements on employers, and the feasibility of using law enforcement officers for post-accident testing.

Comments may be submitted up to completion of the study but, to be considered during early critical stages, they must be received, in writing, by March 29.

For more information contact Dr. Alfred Barrington, 617/494-2018, or see the Jan. 27, 1999, Federal Register, pages 4173-4174, available at www.access.gpo.gov.