Every Senator and every Assemblyperson regardless of which side of the aisle or his or her political affiliation must act now. The safety of even one single child must not be ignored any longer. We have the ability and the resources to take action and make a significant impact. Must we wait for a horrible tragedy to motivate us, as we have often done in the past? You must act now to represent our children, our seniors and the voting public. Please be their voice by being proactive and not reactive when it comes to their safety.
Fact: As an example drivers of cabs and limousines in NY State and commercial drivers under Federally mandated DOT requirements nationwide, have been in required drug testing programs for several years, these programs have proven to be cost effective, safety effective and NOT a monetary burden to any parties concerned.
Fact: Safety requirements for commercial vehicles across the United States begin at the vehicle weight of 10,001 GMVW except drug and alcohol testing. We therefore are tolerating and even encouraging potential drug abuse.
Fact: In 1988 Federal Regulations mandated drug testing for commercial vehicles but the regulations limited required tests to drivers of Trucks 26,001<, Placarded (HAZMAT) and Busses designed to hold 15 passengers plus a driver. These regulations left the testing of all other safety sensitive commercial drivers to the states. It has been almost 25 years and several political administrations later yet our government representatives have done little to nothing to address this problem.
Fact: Every child on every school bus deserves to have a driver that is drug and alcohol free!
Fact: Every senior citizen on public transport deserves to have a driver that is drug and alcohol free!
Fact: Every special needs person using public transport deserves to have a driver that is drug and alcohol free!
Fact: When drivers of commercial vehicles not covered under currant rules or regulation for drug testing are involved in accidents they subject their passengers and the public to serious injuries and death.
Fact: Being on a small passenger vehicle increases your Childs or grandchild’s chance of being seriously injured, maimed or killed if the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Fact: In some states voluntary testing of safety sensitive drivers is actually prohibited, because of this many companies that would chose to do safety sensitive drug testing are prohibited from doing so, this must be revisited and addressed.
Fact: Drivers that fail drug tests taken under Federal regulation are actually eligible in most states to drive school buses and smaller commercial vehicles.
Fact: Drivers of commercial vehicles are professionals and must adhere to many standards of professionalism. All commercial drivers not just select drivers must be held to the same standards including drug and alcohol testing.
Fact: It is time to adopt substances of abuse testing as a component of every states safety requirements. We must acknowledge that drug abuse is a safety issue - NOW.
Please on behalf of every parent, grandparent, and child, on behalf of safety and conscience you must act now.
PLEASE SEND THIS AND EXPRESS YOUR CONCERN TO YOUR SENATORS AND ASSEMBLY MEMBERS IN THIS ELECTION YEAR _ WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
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Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance