Study Reveals Over 100,000 Drivers Exit Trucking Industry Due to Positive Tests
According to a recent study conducted by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), over the past three years, more than 100,000 truck drivers have exited the industry due to positive marijuana tests, and the majority of them have not returned.
The ATRI report, titled “Impacts of Marijuana Legalization on the Trucking Industry,” was released on June 5 in response to concerns about the rising usage of marijuana among truck drivers, which is believed to be a consequence of the recreational legalization of cannabis in 23 states. Even if truck drivers test positive for marijuana use for medicinal purposes, they can still be placed in a prohibited status.
The report predicts that more states will likely move towards marijuana legalization, as a majority of Americans (59%) support it.
The ATRI report aims to uncover the underlying reasons behind why many medium- and large-truck drivers are leaving their jobs after failing marijuana tests. Instead of returning to the already critically short driver pool, most drivers are accepting lower-paying jobs in other industries.
The report concludes that based on data from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, marijuana use significantly impacts the availability of truck drivers. It confirms that most drivers who test positive do not complete the return-to-work process and choose to remain outside of the interstate trucking industry.
Even if truck drivers successfully return to duty, they may encounter difficulties in finding truck driving employment. Carrier survey data suggests that a segment of carriers will not hire drivers who have tested positive for marijuana.
Currently, the mean annual wage for heavy-duty truck drivers is $50,340, while it is $42,630 for light-duty truck drivers, according to the study.
Marijuana Legalization Could Change Drug Testing Policies
The ATRI analysis also examines the potential strategies and implications of two pathways the federal government could take in response to marijuana legalization efforts.
The first pathway involves maintaining the current prohibition policy, where marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I drug. This would continue the trend of annually removing thousands of drivers from the industry due to positive tests for past marijuana use.
The second pathway involves easing restrictions and potentially removing marijuana from the Schedule I classification. However, this pathway presents significant challenges. Prior to any federal legalization action, the report identifies several necessary protections for employers in safety-sensitive industries. These protections include the development of a nationally recognized marijuana impairment test, impairment standards, and provisions to safeguard a carrier’s ability to screen employees for drug use.
Analysis Shows Driving High Still Unsafe
The ATRI study highlights that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in marijuana, affects areas of the brain responsible for controlling movements, balance, coordination, memory, and judgment, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The report emphasizes that marijuana use impairs coordination, distorts perception, impairs memory and problem-solving abilities, and slows decision-making capabilities and reaction times.
If the federal government maintains current marijuana laws, the trucking industry will continue to experience thousands of drivers being placed in prohibited status each year, with many drivers seeking occupations that do not require marijuana testing.
Ultimately, this situation puts pressure on the availability of commercial driver’s license (CDL) drivers, according to the report.
Non-Drug Testing Driving Roles Could Become More Enticing For Drivers
ATRI’s study suggests that CDL driver employers are likely competing with shorthaul parcel delivery companies, which have expanded due to the shift towards e-commerce. These positions typically offer lower pay but provide non-monetary benefits like increased home time. Non-CDL positions do not require pre-employment screening, although some employers still conduct drug tests on non-CDL drivers for insurance and liability reasons. While there is limited evidence that longhaul truck drivers are explicitly transitioning to non-CDL positions due to marijuana testing policies, the legalization of marijuana may motivate truck drivers to seek positions that do not require drug testing.
Drivers Frustrated With Current Drug Testing Policies
The ATRI report includes industry surveys that provide insights into the perspectives of motor carriers and truck drivers regarding the consequences of marijuana legalization and current drug screening regulations. The data collected indicates that both drivers and carriers are equally frustrated with the existing drug-testing limitations, particularly the lack of a test for marijuana impairment.
Unlike alcohol, which has quantitative measurements for impairment, marijuana testing for impairment remains a challenge. The study highlights that there is no definition or quantitative threshold for marijuana impairment. Testing CDL drivers for drug use is a logical approach to ensure highway safety, and marijuana-impaired drivers should never operate heavy-duty trucks.
However, marijuana remains detectable in the body for weeks, while alcohol and most recreational drugs are detectable for only a few days or hours using approved testing methods by the U.S. Department of Transportation. This fact has led to the removal of thousands of drivers from the industry based solely on past marijuana use.
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