Drug and Alcohol Involvement in Railroad Accidents

• NCJ Number: 132522
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 36 Issue: 5 Dated: (September 1991) Pages: 1474-1484
• Author(s): D E Moody; D J Crouch; R P Smith; C W Cresalia; P Francom; D G Wilkins; D E Rollins
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 11 pages
• Contract Number(s): DTFR53-87-C-00016
• Sponsoring Agency: National Ctr for Statistics and Analysis
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The results from the first year of postaccidental testing of railroad employees for drugs and alcohol in 175 accidents between April 1987 and March 1988 are summarized.

Abstract

This included initial testing of urine for drugs and blood for alcohol in 736 employees. Out of the 175 incidents, 24 percent (42 incidents) had at least one employee test positive for either drugs or alcohol. There were however, eight events in which employees tested positive for more than one substance or more than one employee tested positive. When the accidents involved fatalities (36), a higher proportion of drugs or alcohol positive events or both (40 versus 21 percent) was found. In 11 of the 32 fully investigated drugs or alcohol-positive events involving 14 employees, the investigative agencies, the Federal Railroad Administration or the National Transportation Board (NTSB) determined that substance use was a probable cause or a factor relating to the accident. Cannabinoids, ethanol, cocaine, or multiple-drug use were found in 5, 3, 3, and 3 of those employees, respectively. Detectable drug and alcohol use occurs among railroad employees, and occasionally, it has resulted in accidents. 4 tables and 34 references (Author abstract modified)