Why can’t I use drugs if the other guy can?

While reviewing information about truck accidents in America, we recently came across a letter to the editor in a newspaper in a different state.

This letter read in part:

“I drive a fuel truck for a living. I am drug-tested by law and as required by my company.

My problem is that I have several friends who work as health care professionals: registered nurses, nurses [sic] aides and ambulance personnel. None of these people are drug-tested regularly, only pre-employment.

Should a truck driver be held to higher standards then [sic] those of our health care workers? These people have the lives of others in their hands. Why would you not want them to be held to the same or higher standards then [sic] those of a truck driver?”

Now, do you get the feeling that somehow this truck driver just does not get it? The answer, of course, is that we do want health care workers held to the same standards on drug use as truck drivers. But the fact that apparently they are not does not relieve in any way the need to test truck drivers regularly.

And yes it may seem unfair. The reason is likely political. Health care workers may have more political capital than truck drivers or trucking companies, but no matter the reason, drivers must and should be tested.

We all know that impaired driving is a major factor in truck crashes, and we must do everything we possibly can, within reason, to avoid impaired driving incidents, which means preventing the driver from becoming impaired, especially through his or her own will.

Let’s not give up on maximum truck safety because the other guy doesn’t have to do it!

The Young Firm in New Orleans understands the serious nature of automobile and truck accidents and the injuries that can result. Our firm will investigate the causes of any accident and pursue appropriate legal action.

Call a Louisiana car and truck accident attorney today at (866) 660-7220 for a free and confidential consultation if you have been involved in a car accident or an accident with a truck.

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