The Safe Roads Act of 2012

In July of this year the Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Act of 2012 was passed and signed into law.  The purpose is to “provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund pending enactment of a multiyear law reauthorizing such programs, and for other purposes.” Also enacted was the National Clearinghouse for Controlled Substance and Alcohol Test Results of Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Operators, known as the Safe Roads Act of 2012 (Subtitle D- Sec.32402).

The document states,

• Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Safe Roads Act of 2012, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish, operate, and maintain a national clearinghouse for records relating to alcohol and controlled substances testing of commercial motor vehicle operators.
• The clearinghouse aims to enhance roadway safety by reducing accident and injuries involving the misuse of alcohol or use of controlled substances and to improve compliance with the DOT drug and alcohol testing program applicable to CMV operators.
• The law establishes explicit requirements developing secure procedures for administering and managing the clearinghouse; registering and authenticating users and person required to report to the clearinghouse; preventing unauthorized access; storing and transmitting data; accurate and timely submission of data; accurate and timely report generation in response to requests for information by authorized users; and updating of records upon completion of the return-to-duty process (Part 49).

At this time, an exact date for when the clearinghouse will be operational is unknown.