June 2021 Newsletter

What CDL drivers should know about using CBD products

Marijuana has been detected in over half of all drug tests filed in FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and CBD is not a legitimate medical explanation for a positive result according to the DOT.

It is important for all CDL drivers to know:

The DOT requires testing for marijuana and not CBD.
CBD product labeling may be misleading due to THC levels not being accurately stated. The Food and Drug Administration does not certify THC levels in CBC, which is why the labels are not always accurate.
The DOT’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation (49 CFR Part 40) does not allow the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason.
CBD is not a legitimate medical excuse for a positive laboratory-confirmed marijuana result.
Since the use of CBD products could lead to positive drug test result, Department of Transportation-regulated safety-sensitive employees should exercise caution when considering whether to use CBD products.

Trucking Turns From Pandemic to Prosperity

Despite the uncertainty and disruption the coronavirus pandemic brought last year, the trucking industry has entered a strong business environment which is expected to last throughout 2021. Consumer spending continues to grow as more of the population receives COVID-19 vaccinations and pandemic restrictions begin to lift. “People are ready to get out. They have been cooped up. They are ready to have fun. They’re ready to spend,” Bob Costello, chief economist at the American Trucking Associations stated.

However, trucking companies still face uphill battles, as they continue to struggle with recruiting enough professional truck drivers. Trucking is left competing with other industries for labor, most notably construction and oil and gas sectors. The high demand and low labor availability will keep truck capacity tight creating an incredibly imbalanced market for the near future.

Operation Safe Driver Week July 11-17th

Are you prepared for this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week? In just a few weeks, law enforcement officers will be on the look out for commercial motor vehicle drivers and others who are speeding. Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) chose a focus on speeding due to the increase in traffic fatalities. The rate of road deaths is estimated to have increased 24% over the previous year, which is the highest estimated year over year jump in the last 96 years.

Law enforcement officials will also be watching for other dangerous driver behaviors throughout the week of July 11-17th. This will include aggressive driving, distracted driving, following too closely, improper lane change, failure to obey traffic, and other potentially dangerous behaviors. Be sure to watch your speed and stay safe on the roads

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