Drug and Alcohol Abuse: Why Do Commercial Truck Drivers Take the Risk?
Published: October 8, 2007
PENN — In one study of 168 fatally injured truck drivers in eight states, 33 percent tested positive for psychoactive drugs or alcohol.
A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a chemical substance that primarily acts on the central nervous system where it alters brain function resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness, and behavior. These drugs may be used recreationally to purposely alter a person’s consciousness or therapeutically as medication.
Psychoactive substances include anesthesia; painkillers such as narcotics with morphine and codeine and NSAIDs and aspirin; psychiatric medications such as antidepressants and stimulants and drugs that are used as mood stabilizers, depressants, and anti-anxiety meds; plus recreational drugs like marijuana. Truck drivers have a buffet of drugs at their disposal including meth which is becoming more and more popular because a truck driver will be wide awake (and terribly impaired) for hours on end. Truck drivers report that finding a meth fix at truck stops has become easier and easier. If there’s a demand; there’s a supply.
In 12 states (Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, and Wisconsin), it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with any detectable level of a prohibited drug, or its metabolites, in the driver's blood. Other state laws define drugged driving as driving when a drug renders the driver incapable of driving safely, or causes the driver to be impaired.
The main concern regarding drugged driving is that driving under the influence of any drug that acts on the brain could impair a truck driver’s motor skills, reaction time, and judgment. Drugged driving is a public health concern because it puts not only the truck driver at risk, but also every other vehicle and pedestrian that shares the road.
Why is Drugged Driving Hazardous?
Semi truck accident
Drugs act on the brain and can alter perception, cognitive behavior, attention, balance, and coordination, required for safe driving. The effects of specific drugs of abuse differ depending on their mechanisms of action, the amount consumed, the history of the user, and other factors.
Marijuana affects areas of the brain that control the body’s movements, balance, coordination, memory, and judgment abilities, as well as sensations. Because these effects are multifaceted, more research is required to understand marijuana's impact on the ability of drivers to react to complex and unpredictable situations.
Studies have found that many drivers who test positive for alcohol also test positive for marijuana, making it clear that drinking and drugged driving are often linked behaviors.
Many prescription medications act on systems in the brain that could impair driving ability. In fact, many prescription drugs come with warnings against the operation of machinery—including vehicles—for a specified period of time after use. When prescription drugs are taken without medical supervision impaired driving and other harmful reactions can also result.
Mr. Ronca is a truck accident attorney with over 20 years of legal
experience. He has twice been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer.