True or False
In 2019, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 10,142 deaths (28 percent of overall driving fatalities)...TRUE
TRUE or FALSE
Fines for not being in a consortium and not testing can go up into the thousands of dollars per day...TRUE
One Random Draw a Year is All That is Required...FALSE
It's ok to take something like a Benadryl while driving...
FALSE
You only have to test at one particular place...FALSE
It's not nessesary to be in a consortium if I am just a single owner/operator...FALSE
The DOT requires all transportation companies transporting goods or people more than 1/2 mile to be in a consortium...TRUE
Drivers listed in a random draw consortium are less likely to abuse substances...
TRUE
Being in a consortium helps take away some of the stress of staying DOT compliant...
COMPLETELY TRUE
IMPORTANT information regarding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and our random draws.
First and foremost, our hearts go out to anyone who's been impacted by the Corona-virus, either directly or indirectly. We extend very heartfelt wishes for full recovery and our deepest sympathy for those that may have lost a loved one to this virus. Secondly, the safety of our clients remain top priority as we continue to manage through this epidemic.
Per the Department of Transportation....no changes are in place at this time regarding random selections. If a driver is drawn then it is up to the company to see that the driver tests.
That being said there are exceptions. One...IF the draw center is out of supplies or closed or not taking extra people at the time. You will also have to get information from the draw center to prove this and keep on file.
Companies that close temperately during this time, do not have to test while closed, so long as you can show proof that your business is closed during this time. This would need to be given to the audit specialist at the time they would request it. When you re-open then the selected driver's would need to be sent in for testing PRIOR to bringing them back on full-time. This is because the government doesn't want driver's "using" during this down time.
Companies that are not closing but going on a "limited operating" bases (only owner or HR or secretary, etc. continuing to work) will need to send selected driver's down for testing during this time off as the company is not "fully closed". This is because the government doesn't want driver's "using" during this down time.
The main thing to remember is this...drug and alcohol random draws are still to be handled as normal. This is the way it will be until the government either closes the randoms or advises us differently.
We also can NOT move a random draw under any circumstances. IF you feel that it is too risky for you to go to testing centers at this time (which I fully agree with for anyone with chronic medical conditions or the elderly), then you should 'self quarantine' during this time. You should also get some sort of medical notice from your doctors regarding your condition and why you should be self quarantined. Please send us a copy and keep original with your draw. Once the epidemic has ended or we are deemed OK to return to life as normal, then the first thing you should do is get the draw done and into us.
I hope this answers your questions regarding the government, COVID-19 and the random draws. If not, please contact me with any questions you may have and I will try to get them answered.
All our best for you during this time.
Please stay safe and healthy!
Follow the general guild-lines regarding the COVID-19 to help stop the spreading of it!