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04/23/2025 Drug Testing Policy - When to drug test after an accident

Conor Boughey, Other

A city asked me to survey the membership.


The City has a Drug Testing Policy which requires drug tests after every motor vehicle accident. Other city policies appear to require a drug test when required by commercial drivers licenses / department of transportation, which only require drug tests after an accident in which a citation was issued (or certain other triggers).


Does your agency have a policy for all accidents or does your policy reference something like 'when required by the DOT'?

3 replies
Andrew Guzman

05/05/2025 04:16:20 PM

The City of Visalia's policy for DOT drivers is attached. Testing information can be found on page 3/7.


Section V(B). "Any accident involving a fatality requires testing. Testing will also be required when the covered employee receives a citation within 8 hours of the accident and: (1) one or more motor vehicles are towed from the scene, or (2) someone is treated medically away from the scene."


For non-DOT employees that are involved in an accident, we will only test in the event of reasonable suspicion of being under the influence. This is referenced in our Substance Abuse Policy, which is also attached.

Derek Rampone

04/24/2025 04:03:00 PM

If an employee’s performance contributed to an accident, the accident involves a moving violation, or a fatality then testing is required.  I have attached our 25 year old policy, which includes alcohol and drug testing starting on page 6.

Rhonda Combs

04/23/2025 04:45:55 PM

City of Salinas only tests when required by DOT or when there is reasonable suspicion. I don't think it is captured in a policy.


Otherwise I think you run into legal implications when testing without reasonable suspicion and recommend that you consult your employment specialized legal counsel.