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TESTS KEEP PEOPLE SAFE

In response to the federal judge in Miami striking down the random drug testing for state employees, I am baffled.  Are there no safeguards to protect the public from impaired public employees?

I have worked for a private company here in DeLand for 16 years and have been randomly tested nine times.  With over 2,000 vehicles nationwide, it has been a longstanding policy to ensure that the public is protected from impaired driver-employees.  The work environment includes motorized equipment, and fellow workers do not feel at risk by others being impaired.  A safe work environment protects the employee and the public in general by helping ensure, to the best of one's ability, that sober and straight employees are interacting with the public in the workplace, and in company vehicles in a responsible manner.

State employees drive thousands of vehicles, ranging from compact cars to tractor trailers, and numerous heavy equipment pieces with no ability to monitor their safe operations of the above.  It's a double standard if state employees have exclusive protection under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S.  Constitution.  Personally, I do not find it intrusive.  I take comfort that fellow employees are sober and straight and do not fear an unsafe work environment.

DAVID T.  NALLEY, DeLand