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Drunk driving and alcohol: A bad combination for truckers

On Behalf of | Jun 21, 2018 | Commercial Vehicle Accidents |

No truck driver should ever be on the roads if he or she has been drinking. According to federal regulations, drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) may never drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over .04 percent. That’s half the normal limit for passenger vehicle drivers.

This limit is lowered to help drivers keep others safe. Trucks are notoriously difficult to handle, and with their increased size and weight, dangerous for others on the roads when they’re in the hands of a drunk driver.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) also states that drivers with CDLs should not use alcohol within four hours of being on duty or using their vehicles. They’re also not allowed to have alcohol in their cabin.

Commercial drivers aren’t just required to be sober behind the wheel. They’re also required to be sober when loading or unloading their vehicles, inspecting or servicing vehicles, waiting at their terminals or facilities or repairing a vehicle that is disabled. Why is that important? If they make mistakes due to intoxication that later result in a crash, you may be able to hold the individual liable even if he or she is not drunk at that time.

Our website has more information on truck drivers and intoxication. If you’re hurt by a drunk driver or by a commercial driver who was distracted or who made a mistake on the roads, you have the right to look into making a claim. Your safety was put at risk because of another person’s mistakes, and that’s something he or she should be held liable for.