Mandatory tests cut alcohol-related truck crashes

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The risk of alcohol-associated crashes involving truck drivers has declined about 23 percent since the US implemented mandatory alcohol testing for commercial truck drivers, researchers estimate.

Since 1995, when mandatory alcohol testing began in the US, "the number of fatal crashes per mile of travel for motor carriers has also decreased significantly," Dr. Guohua Li, of Columbia University in New York City noted in an email to Reuters Health.

Li noted the prevalence of alcohol-related fatal crashes among truck drivers is now comparable to that of commercial pilots in fatal airplane crashes.

On the other hand, in Canada and Mexico, where commercial drivers are not subject to mandatory alcohol testing, fatal crashes involving commercial drivers appear "much more likely to involve alcohol," Li said.

Li's team used 1982 to 2006 Fatality Analysis Reporting System data to assess alcohol-related crashes involving drivers in commercial motor vehicles before and after the January 1, 1995 implementation of mandatory alcohol testing for such drivers.

Mandatory testing requires immediate suspension of commercial drivers with blood alcohol levels at 0.04 grams or more per deciliter of blood -- a limit about half that permitted for noncommercial drivers in many US states.

Of the 69,295 motor carrier drivers involved in crashes during the study period, most survived their crash, and most were men, 25 to 64 years old, with no history of driving while under the influence of alcohol.

In addition to other regulatory changes taking place during the study period, mandatory alcohol testing accounted for 24 percent fewer daytime fatal truck crashes and 26 fewer nighttime fatal truck crashes, after allowing for other factors associated with motor vehicle crashes such region of the country and road and weather conditions.

These findings, the researchers conclude, provide "compelling evidence" of the efficacy of mandatory alcohol testing for commercial motor carrier drivers.

SOURCE: American Journal of Epidemiology, September 15, 2009