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Research shows drug use is on the rise among commercial truckers

On Behalf of | May 29, 2023 | Truck Accidents

Driving a truck for a living requires a high degree of attention and responsibility. Yet, research shows that many people driving commercial trucks in Georgia and across the nation are shirking their responsibilities and taking dangerous risks on the job. Drug use, in particular, is a growing problem in commercial trucking, with the number of truck drivers testing positive for various substances skyrocketing in recent years.

According to Transport Topics, trucker drug use statistics come from data compiled in a Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database that logs positive drug tests received by American truck drivers.

How often truckers use marijuana on the job

The number of American truckers who tested positive for marijuana increased by 32% between 2021 and 2022, with an estimated 41,000 truck drivers taking drug tests that were positive for marijuana. This makes marijuana, by far, the most common drug abused by truck-driving professionals. This is concerning because marijuana use has a serious effect on driving skills and may impact everything from a trucker’s reaction time to his or her overall judgment.

How often truckers use other substances on the job

While marijuana use is especially widespread among today’s truck drivers, the use of other substances is also on the rise. After marijuana, most truckers who had positive drug tests logged in the clearinghouse tested positive for amphetamines, methamphetamines and cocaine.

When a truck driver has a positive drug test, he or she must take certain steps to become eligible to drive professionally again. Yet, studies show that many truckers are neglecting to take these steps, making them ineligible to drive a truck again until they do so.