WASHINGTON — New legislation introduced in the Senate will help close loopholes that allow drug and alcohol users to slip by trucking companies’ driver hiring checks.

The bill — sponsored by Senators Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) — was praised by American Trucking Associations, which has been pushing for improvements to mandatory drug testing programs for drivers.

"ATA will work to secure its passage, because this bill will result in safer roads and a safer trucking industry," said ATA vice president of safety, Dave Osiecki.

The legislation would prevent drivers from using loopholes when it comes to drug and alcohol reporting. At the moment, some drivers do not report past drug testing and some carriers do not finish background checks on employees. Self-employed drivers sometimes fail to remove themselves from service, as is legally required.

Also, it’s too easy for drivers to cheat the test.

The proposed legislation, the Safe Roads Act, would establish a database of drug-testing information for commercial drivers. It would employ $5 million a year to develop and distribute the database, requiring medical review officers, employers and other service agents to report positive results to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Employers would have to check the database before bringing on drivers. The bill would also provide for privacy protections and employee rights of actions.

"A national drug and alcohol clearinghouse will allow companies to more easily obtain this critical safety-related information during the hiring of commercial drivers," Osiecki said.

Added Sen. Pryor: "A national clearinghouse is a cost-effective, feasible solution to weed out bad apples and keep our roads safe."