Drug testing, AB5 and more on latest ‘Live From Exit 24’

In the latest episode of “Live From Exit 24”, the OOIDA experts tackled a potpourri of trucking topics.

Moderator Mike Matousek was joined by Dale Watkins, Manager of OOIDA’s Business Services Department, and Amber Schweer, Supervisor of the OOIDA Drug Testing Consortium, for the live broadcast on Wednesday, September 22nd.

Watch “Live from exit 24”

Whether it’s helping drivers apply for permits or set up their own authority, broker issues, or make sure a trucking company is compliant, OOIDA’s Business Services department has a broad spectrum Topics.

The show covered some of the hot topics the Corporate Services Division deals with, as well as more information about drug and alcohol testing requirements.

“We answer questions about everything trucking all day,” said Watkins.

Many of these questions concern compliance with industry regulations, including drug testing.

Federal regulations require truck drivers hauling just over 26,001 pounds, carrying dangerous goods, or carrying more than 16 passengers to participate in a random drug testing program. OOIDA’s CMCI provides drug testing for over 16,000 participants.

With the OOIDA program, participants can be convened twice a year.

“We put all these drivers in one pool and somehow mixed them all up. And then just choose yourself at random, ”said Schweer.

Schweer said one of the biggest misconceptions about drug and alcohol testing requirements is the legalization of marijuana at the state level. She reminded drivers that commercial drivers should not drink even if they live in a state that allows cannabis smoking for medicinal or recreational purposes.

“Even if they have a prescription for it, it’s still federally illegal, so you can’t do it,” she said. “And that includes CBD oils, which is a big no-go.”

More drivers are looking for their own authority

One trend that Watkins said has made a leap in the past few years is for more riders to take their own authority.

He said a myriad of factors, including regulatory changes and healthy freight rates, are causing more business leaders to consider starting their own business. He also said some drivers are reacting to the uncertainty caused by California’s AB5 Worker Classification Act and the PRO Act in Congress.

“The way (CSA 2010) depended on porters, they had to lead a tighter ship. You look at some of these great brokers like CH Robinson, they make some of the best profits in the business. They have no equipment … no liability, ”he said. “Then last year, maybe two years from now, we’re going to look at AB5 stuff coming out of California and then the possibility of the PRO Act. I just think all of these things are in the snowball game right now. “

Guilty By Association Truck Show Preview

Lewie Pugh, Executive Vice President of OOIDA, also attended the program by phone from the Guilty By Association’s Truck Show in Joplin, Missouri. OOIDA plans to host a town hall with FMCSA on Friday.

“There are a lot of cool things (at GBATS),” said Pugh. “It’s called the truck show, but it has nothing to do with Louisville. There aren’t a lot of providers or anything. It’s just trucks. “

OOIDA talk show

“Live From Exit 24” is scheduled every second Wednesday at 7 p.m. Central. Listeners can tune into the show on the Live From Exit 24 website, the OOIDA Facebook page, or on the OOIDA YouTube channel. The next episode will air on Wednesday, October 6th.

opinion poll

Live From Exit 24 was launched to expand OOIDA’s communication with members and to hear directly from drivers across the industry. OOIDA is asking truck drivers to fill out a survey to let the association know how they like the show so far. Help whatever is raised during the program. The poll is here. NS

source https://www.bisayanews.com/2021/09/24/drug-testing-ab5-and-more-on-latest-live-from-exit-24/