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April 30, 1999 9:15 AM, EDT

Truckers in Oregon are pushing for a law that would give companies notice when a driver tests positive for drugs or alcohol.

Robert E. Russell, director of government affairs for the Oregon Trucking Associations, said the measure would put the state on the “cutting edge” of safety because none of the others have such a law on their books.

The bill requires Oregon Driver and Vehicle Services be notified of all positive tests or refusals to be tested. The agency would have to note any positive tests on a commercial driver’s record.

Employers must now test for drugs or alcohol before hiring drivers, but they have little way of knowing whether a driver has failed past tests.

The measure would also increase penalties for companies that do not conduct drug and alcohol tests from $100 to $1,000. It also would require companies to certify they have testing in place in order to register trucks in the state.

“The trucking industry is policing themselves on this,” said Sen. Marylin Shannon, who is sponsoring the bill along with OTA and other industry associations. “Honest truckers who want to keep the roads safe shouldn’t be damaged by a few getting a bad reputation.”

For the full story, see the May 3 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.