The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has raised concerns with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg about the potential highway safety risks posed by the U.S. Department of Justice’s proposal to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug. This significant policy shift could negatively impact road safety by limiting the ability to test for marijuana use among commercial motor vehicle drivers and other safety-sensitive transportation workers.
In a letter to Secretary Buttigieg, ATA emphasized the importance of maintaining current drug testing protocols for marijuana to ensure the safety of the nation’s roadways. They stressed that without the ability to test for marijuana use, there could be a substantial increase in the risk of impaired drivers, which would threaten public safety. Unlike alcohol, there is no reliable standard to measure marijuana impairment, making it essential for motor carriers to monitor marijuana usage among their drivers.
“It is critical for transportation safety that we maintain the scope and scrutiny of testing that currently exists for individuals engaged in safety-sensitive industries, including commercial trucking, bussing, airlines, and rail,” wrote Dan Horvath, ATA’s Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Safety Policy. While ATA does not take a formal position on marijuana legalization or the testing of non-safety-sensitive employees, it is deeply concerned about the public health and safety implications of reclassifying marijuana.
ATA highlighted that marijuana and alcohol are the most frequently detected substances in impaired driving crashes that result in serious or fatal injuries. Between 2000 and 2018, the percentage of crash deaths involving marijuana more than doubled, increasing from 9% to 21.5%. Additionally, after Canada legalized marijuana in 2018, there was a 94% increase in marijuana-involved traffic injuries reported in emergency rooms.
The ATA’s communication to Secretary Buttigieg is part of a broader advocacy effort to address the potential dangers associated with marijuana reclassification. In the previous month, ATA also sent letters to the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Transportation, urging them to consider the implications of such a policy change on highway safety.
The trucking industry continues to push for regulatory measures that ensure the commercial driving workforce remains qualified and safe to operate on U.S. roadways. As the debate over marijuana reclassification progresses, ATA remains committed to advocating for policies that prioritize the safety of all road users.
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