U.S. Xpress Announces Pre-Employment Hair Testing for All New Drivers
Mandatory Testing Part of Company’s Ongoing Safety Efforts
Chattanooga, Tenn. (December 5, 2019) – U.S. Xpress, Inc., a subsidiary of U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: USX), the nation’s fifth largest asset-based truckload carrier by revenue, announced today it will introduce mandatory hair testing for all new drivers as part of pre-employment screening. The additional screening procedure exceeds DOT requirements, and is part of the Company’s ongoing efforts to have a positive impact on road safety.
Current government regulations require transportation companies to conduct a urinalysis test as part of pre-employment screening, but because hair testing has proven to be more accurate, identifying 85% of drug users who would be missed by urine tests alone, U.S. Xpress is adopting it across the company. To ensure the most qualified and safe drivers are hired, U.S. Xpress’ hair testing can identify drug use within a 90-day period, as opposed to the 48-hour window detected by urine tests.
Hair testing is one piece of the Company’s overall effort to improve safety and arm its drivers with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for a lifetime (and millions of miles) of successful driving. Within the last two years U.S. Xpress has installed forward-facing dash cameras in its entire fleet to monitor following distance and speed, and has completely transformed its Professional Driver Development program to include hands-on personalized training through the Professional Driver Development’s learning lab, a competency-aligned simulator, and a driving range.
Additionally, U.S. Xpress is in the process of reducing its fleet maximum speed to 62-mph on the pedal, and 66-mph in cruise control to ensure its drivers follow safe speeds and take advantage of collision mitigation technology that is activated while using cruise control. Looking ahead, U.S. Xpress is also looking forward to compliance with the FMCSA’s upcoming Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, planning to register all of its drivers by the end of the first quarter 2020. The Company will also review its fleet of drivers against the Clearinghouse on a quarterly basis, as compared to the annual query required.
About U.S. Xpress:
Founded in 1985, U.S. Xpress, Inc., a subsidiary of U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc., is the nation’s fifth largest asset-based truckload carrier by revenue, providing services primarily throughout the United States. We offer customers a broad portfolio of services using our own truckload fleet and third-party carriers through our non-asset-based truck brokerage network. Our modern fleet of tractors is backed up by a team of committed professionals whose focus lies squarely on meeting the needs of our customers and our drivers.
Source: U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc.
Media Contact:
Lindsay Killian
U.S. Xpress
(423) 510-4809
lkillian@usxpress.com
