Goal

Guided by quantitative data collected during a recent study on the nature and scope of controlled substance and alcohol violations among drivers of non-CDL CMVs, this project will expand the Agency’s understanding of this issue through collecting information about best practices and needs gaps, and examining the potential benefits of implementing additional regulatory controls related to these violations for non-CDL CMV drivers.

Summary

This project follows up on the findings of an earlier study regarding the increasing frequency of drug and alcohol violations among non-CDL CMV drivers. In this study, FMCSA will take a variety of approaches to identify means to prevent, detect, and enforce these violations among non-CDL CMV Drivers. First, focus groups consisting of staff from State partner agencies with high performance on enforcing these violations with this population of drivers will be interviewed in an effort to identify best practices. Second, staff from State partners with lower enforcement metrics will be surveyed to develop an understanding of their needs (e.g., additional training, additional equipment, additional personnel, etc.) in order to close the gap. Third, the various differences between the requirements for CDL vs. non-CDL drivers will be examined to determine whether implementing such requirements would be likely to have a positive impact on violation rates.

A report will be developed to identify: (1) best practices; (2) needs; and (3) alternative approaches via regulatory controls for non-CDL CMV drivers.

Impacts

Based on the rapid, consistent increase in the frequency of controlled substance and alcohol violations over the past decade, more information is needed about whether field staff and State partners have the tools and support necessary to enforce the regulations for these drivers. Further, an analysis of FMCSA’s current controls for these violations is needed to assess whether opportunities exist to prevent these violations more effectively.