Quast

At the present time, the federal government requires pre-employment drug tests and then random testing after being hired for all commercial truck drivers. The law specifically states that drivers with a commercial driver's license (CDL) are subject to drug testing as are truck owner-operators with a CDL and motor carriers who employ drivers with a CDL.

A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Traffic Safety showed that 15% of all interstate truck drivers had marijuana in their system, 12% had stimulants (non-prescription), 5% had prescription stimulants, 2% had cocaine and less than 1% had alcohol in their system.

Alcohol

Regarding alcohol use, a driver does not have to be drunk to be impaired. Even very low blood alcohol content (BAC) levels impair driving performance by reducing the driver's reaction time and slowing his decision-making process. At the current time, the federal government prohibits commercial truck drivers, railroad and mass transit workers, marine employees, and aircraft pilots from operating vehicles with a BAC at or greater than 0.04%. The number of accidents caused by intoxicated truck drivers has actually decreased in recent years. Statistics show that approximately only 1-3% of trucking accidents are caused by an impaired truck driver.

Marijuana

Many people have the false notion that driving after smoking marijuana is safer than driving after drinking. This is simply not true. Marijuana can affect concentration, perception and reaction time as long as 24 hours after it is smoked. That is much, much longer than alcohol affects a driver's behavior.

Marijuana has been found to be a factor in over 12% of fatal trucking accidents. In recent years, out of the truckers tested randomly for drugs and alcohol, a whopping 45% showed marijuana in their system.

Methamphetamine

Due to the very long hours they often have to work, truck drivers are always looking for ways to stay awake and alert to meet deadlines. It has been reported that 17 out of every 20 truckers say it is very easy to find methamphetamine at truck stops along their route. Truckers have recently been succumbing more and more to the powerful drug due to the fact it can keep people awake for several hours and sometimes days at a time. Surveys and roadside tests have indicated that one in five truckers use stimulants on some of their trips.

Perhaps there is a need for more drug testing of our nation's truck drivers. Though most truckers are tested randomly after their date of hire, many of them even say it is not often enough.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident in Colorado, please visit the website of experienced truck accident attorneys Hull & Zimmerman, serving clients in the Denver and Boulder areas of Colorado.

Manchester is a city located in northwestern England. The city is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south and the Pennine Moors to the north and the east. It is home to a population of 437,000 inhabitants. Manchester was thought to have been settled in or before Roman times, and the citys name is derived from its Roman title: Mamucium. In the 18th century, Manchesters commercial output developed rapidly and the city became the worlds most important industrial centre and the worlds first industrial society.

Today, Manchester is still a vibrant location, with entertainment and attractions to suit all tastes. For those interested in exploring the citys history, the area around Albert Square offers some stunning examples of architecture through the ages. Some gems dotted around the Square include: the neo-Gothic Manchester Town Hall, the circular, neo-Classical Central Library and Theatre and the beautiful St Marys Church dating back to 1794. For those interested in less historical pursuits, the area around St Anns Square offers visitors plenty of shopping opportunities, as well as the chance to relax in some of the areas cosy cafes. The Northern Quarter was once the centre of the citys textile industry, but now its home to Manchesters more avant-garde and artistic establishments. Whether youre looking for independent music stores, small clothing boutiques or unusual coffee shops, The Northern Quarter is the place to be seen.

Manchester is a welcoming, modern city that is home to a large number of cultures. Chinatown boasts bustling markets and a large portion of the citys east-Asian restaurants. The city is also home to a large gay community, with culture and nightlife centring around the Canal Street area. From Manchester, tourists can easily take a day-trip to the picturesque Lake District. This area is Englands largest National Park and it spans 885 square miles. The area was carved out by glacial erosion and it boasts 16 lakes. The Lake District offers visitors the chance to enjoy an abundance of water sports and boat trips.

Dara Ward operates over 150 travel based websites. These include Hotels in Manchester and Hotels in Liverpool