The Difficult Reality of Truck Drivers and Marijuana

Almost everything today is faster than it was a few years ago. We have faster cars, faster cell phones, faster ways of getting medical results. One thing that has not kept pace with the technological curve, is laws and regulations. In today’s face paced world, our current laws and regulations cannot keep up with the social mores and advances in technology and medicine. Take for instance: Marijuana.

Did you know marijuana is legal in over half of the United States in some form?

Companies who produce, distribute, sell or recycle hazmat must have strict internal operations and security plans, that ensure safe processing and handling of all chemicals – they must also arrange for safe transportation of their chemical components. This often requires the assistance of a 3rd party transportation provider, who has their own transportation restrictions. When combined with the compliance requirements set forth by the DOT, a detailed hazmat safety and security plan must be in place.

July 17, 2013 | Earlier this month, a Montreal, Main, and Atlantic Railway train with 72 tank cars carrying crude oil derailed in eastern Quebec – causing devastation, death, and destruction to the town of Lac-Mégnatic.

According to reports, the train’s breaks disengaged after a mandatory rest stop. Upon the break disengagement, the train continued on the track for over an hour before hitting the tourist town.

July 12, 2013 | Following up from our post earlier this week highlighting the new HOS Rule, another important component of your driving safety plan is your CSA Score.

CSA scores are updated on a monthly basis. They measure the carrier’s safety accountability and rely on various components for measurement. The FMCSA relies on the following to calculate scores:

- Unsafe driving

- Fatigued driving/hours of service

- Driver fitness

- Controlled substances/alcohol