Why is the DOT Drug Testing Program Needed?

Have you ever been riding in a crowded plane and thought to yourself – what if the pilot gets a stroke? This is not such an uncommon situation. You can never be too sure about the person behind the wheel in any public transportation device.

Governments and state representatives came up with a solution back in 1991 when they made the DOT testing mandatory for everyone who wants to work in a company dealing with transport. Since then, lots of DOT drug testing programs have been performed to make sure that people behind the wheel are completely sober and capable of conducting.

What is DOT testing?

It is short for the Department of Transportation. This department takes care of the companies that are driving on our roads and might pose a danger to people’s safety. These people conducting a motorized vehicle are holding other people’s lives in their hands and they must not allow having a single milligram in their blood an illegal substance that might cause a problem in the operation.

Under this law are included all kinds of professions that are driving on the roads, including the pilots of airplanes, helicopters, and other flying aircraft.

The department of transportation is trying to get control of the situation by performing regular testing to everyone who’s falling under their supervision. This way, millions of people are being safer every year because the people responsible for their lives are performing this.

When is it being performed?

The officials are going to the homes and workplaces of these people completely randomly. The reason for something like this is to be sure that drivers will be alerted at all times.

These people should be aware of the danger, but some of them are simply ignoring it and put a lot of lives in danger. The Department of Transportation chooses to take things under their control so they perform checks regularly. See more about DOT here.

Also, they often receive the word of mouth that someone might be taking some kind of illicit substance. In this case, they go to a location to examine a person because of a previous suspicion that someone might be intoxicated.

What are the forbidden substances?

The most commonly used drugs are a part of the kit. If you need to do this, you’ll be checked for THC, cocaine, opioids, and others. Some of these drugs are not going to stay in the system for a long time. The cocaine will disappear after a few days, but THC will stay in your system for months.

So, if you’ve been off duty for a longer period, and you wanted to have fun or get relaxed a little, you need to be aware of these facts and try to stay safe. If you get caught, you can be sure that you’ll get fired. The DOT will send an official letter in which your employer will be forced to let you go.

After this, you won’t be able to find another job in this industry for a long time. That’s why it’s smarter to completely lay off drugs no matter if you’re working or not. Some drugs, like cocaine, can leave serious traces in the brain if you’re using it regularly. Even if you quit, the effects might influence you for a long time and during the work, you might not be able to make clear decisions. Imagine if you’re a pilot and you need a quick decision that will cost 200 lives aside from yours. See here how a pilot’s day look like: https://www.flightdeckfriend.com/become-an-airline-pilot/the-realities-of-being-an-airline-pilot/.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a job in this industry, you can be sure that before you get accepted, you’ll have to perform this test. If you’ve been doing drugs, you shouldn’t even ask for one. It’s a highly responsible position and only the best people deserve to be a part of it.

Doing drugs is a serious issue. In some states, all of the drugs that are going to be checked are illegal for recreational use. However, in this business, it is illegal to use them no matter what state you are. Even in California, a bus driver can’t be THC positive, and that is the rule.