Understanding Post-Accident Drug Testing
The Department of Transportation (DOT) regards safety as a top priority. Therefore, the DOT requires all mandated safety-sensitive employees to adhere to drug and alcohol testing under various circumstances, including after some accidents. Post-accident drug testing after an accident helps authorities to determine if the actions that contributed to the accident were the result of a driver who was under the influence.
Post-Accident Drug Testing for DOT Employees
Employers must conduct mandatory post-accident drug and alcohol testing when one of their safety-sensitive employees is involved in an accident. Expect post-accident testing if you are mandated by:
- DOT agencies: FMCSA, FAA, FTA, USCG, FRA, and the PHMSA
- Federal, state, and local governments
- Private and for-hire motor carriers
If an organization fails to adhere to the DOT post-accident testing policy, their operations can be temporarily or permanently shut down.
When is a FMCSA Test Required After an Accident?
A post-accident drug and alcohol test is required when a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) carrying employee is involved in an accident that meets certain specifications. These incidents include accidents where:
- One or more vehicles are disabled and cannot leave the scene
- One or more people involved in the accident required medical treatment away from the accident scene
- The driver received a citation for a moving violation
- The accident caused a fatality
Please note that for FMCSA mandated employees, testing must happen within 8 hours post-accident. Drug testing is required to occur within 32 hours of the accident.
After a Failed Drug or Alcohol Test
If the DOT mandated safety-sensitive employee fails their drug or alcohol test post-accident, they must comply with a return-to-duty process to be considered for return to their safety-sensitive duties. The return-to-duty process requires the employee to work with a DOT-qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP).
DOT employers must provide a SAP list to their employees. However, it’s not quite as easy as it seems, as SAP credentials expire on a revolving basis. If the employee works with a SAP whose qualifications have expired, their return-to-duty process will be null and void.
Partner with SAP Referral Services
Employees and employers can partner with SAP Referral Services (SRS) to quickly find DOT qualified SAPs in their area. If you have recently failed post-accident drug testing, you won’t want to waste any time getting back to work. SRS guarantees to connect you with a SAP that is fully qualified at the time of initial contact, so you don’t have to risk redoing your entire return-to-duty process. Get started today with FastTrack Enrollment!
SAP Referral Services (SRS) is the leading facilitator for mandated substance abuse evaluations. SRS maintains an extensive network of qualified providers in more than 3,000 locations nationwide for testing violations that originate from any of the DOT’s modes including FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, USCG and PHMSA, or a company’s internal drug and alcohol testing policy.