WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is alerting motor carriers and Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs) to significant procedural shortcomings in the SAP's role as the "gatekeeper" for drivers returning to safety-sensitive positions after a violation. A notice published on Tuesday by the DOT highlighted a pattern of "fast-tracked" evaluations, improper remote assessments, and pressure to recommend only the minimum required drug and alcohol follow-up testing.

"SAPs represent the major decision point (and in some cases, the only decision point) an employer may have in choosing whether or not to place an employee behind the steering wheel of a school bus, in the cockpit of a plane, at the helm of an oil tanker, at the throttle of a train, in the engineer compartment of a subway car, or at the emergency control valves of a natural gas pipeline," the DOT's notice stated.

For motor carriers, who are required to report specific information to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse via SAPs, the message serves as a warning that employing an SAP who prioritizes quantity over quality constitutes a compliance issue that could lead to liability and safety risks.