Ontario Trucking Association wants mandatory drug, alcohol testing for commercial drivers

The Ontario Trucking Association wants the federal and provincial governments to make drug and alcohol testing mandatory for all commercial drivers.

Earlier in October,the Ontario Provincial Police chargedthree drivers in northwestern Ontariowith impaired driving.

It is"inexcusable for any commercial vehicle operator to be operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol," said Stephen Laskowski, the president of the Ontario Trucking Association, addingthat the trucking industry takes great pride on having a zero tolerance policy.

"In Canada, of all the fatally injured and legally impaired drivers, only 0.7 per cent were tractor trailer drivers. On a percentage basis, this is about 195per cent lower than that of passenger vehicles and 178 per cent lower than that of motorcycle drivers."Laskowskisaid.

However, despite the low percentage, he added thatthey will be asking for the introduction of new legislation calling for a zero tolerance policy for blood and alcohol content in commercial drivers.

Currently, the maximum legal limit for all drivers in Canadais 80 milligrams of alcoholin 100 millilitres of blood, butLaskowskiis hoping that limit is reduced to 20 milligrams.

"Currently its a grey area, that trucking companies can have drug and alcohol testing programs." Laskowski said.

"What we are saying now ... is we need the governments to stand up and say we will stand beside employers and allow safety sensitive positions, like truck driving, drug and alcohol testing programs, without question, to be legal in Canada."

He said not all companies have the means or resources to go through a human rights challenge when an employee refuses to take a drug and alcohol testing, which is why we need to "allow employers, across Canada, to have the power, to manage this system. It's good for trucking and it's obviously good for public safety and road safety." Laskowski added.