May 21, 2014
Getting behind the wheel and driving when drunk is illegal for any driver, as this dangerous practice can substantially increase the risk of serious accidents. When it comes to commercial truck drivers, however, the standards for intoxication and safety are far stricter, as these professionals have a moral and legal responsibility to do their part to drive safely and minimize the risk of collisions. Unfortunately, however, truckers may choose to shirk their responsibilities, getting drunk before driving and putting others’ lives in danger.
Did you know that the legal limit for truckers is half of what it is for other drivers? Here are some more important facts about alcohol and truck accidents.
Here and in a few upcoming parts of this blog, we will highlight some important facts to know about alcohol and truck accidents. If you may have been injured in a truck accident caused by a drunk trucker (or an otherwise negligent truck driver), don’t hesitate to contact the Denver trucking accident lawyers at McLaughlin Law Firm.
Fact 1: The legal limit for truck drivers is half of what it is for non-commercial drivers.
While the legal limit for drivers of passenger vehicles (i.e., drivers with standard/non-commercial drivers’ licenses) is 0.08, for truck drivers with commercial licenses, the legal limit is 0.04. This means that truckers who are found to have blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of 0.04 or greater will be legally considered to be drunk and can be arrested for/charged with a DUI.
Here, it’s also important to point out that truck drivers can be charged with drunk driving even when they are not on duty and/or are not driving a commercial vehicle and they are found to have BACs of 0.04 or greater.
Fact 2: Truck drivers cannot legally drink alcohol within four hours of a driving shift.
According to federal trucking regulations, truck drivers are not legally allowed to imbibe alcohol within four hours of getting behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle and/or being officially considered to be “on-duty.” The specific federal trucking regulation that governs this prohibition is Subpart A § 392.5 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations.
If drivers violate this regulation, consume alcohol within four hours of a driving shift (or being on-duty) and/or are found to be intoxicated when operating commercial vehicles, they can be subject to:
- Criminal charges and penalties, including possibly even jail time and the loss of their commercial driver’s license
- Civil penalties if they caused a truck accident while they were intoxicated.
For some more important facts to know about alcohol and truck accidents, don’t miss the upcoming second and third parts of this blog.
Denver Truck Accident Attorneys at McLaughlin Law Firm
Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident caused by a drunk or impaired trucker? If so, the Denver truck accident lawyers at McLaughlin Law Firm are ready to meet with you and fight for your rights to compensation and justice. With more than 35 years of combined legal experience, our Denver truck accident attorneys have a proven record of success and dedication when it comes to helping accident victims get the highest possible settlements for their injuries and losses.
Let’s Talk about Your Case – Contact Us Today
Our Denver trucking accident lawyers invite you to learn more about your rights and get a thorough, professional evaluation of your case by meeting with us for a free, no obligations initial consult.
To set up this meeting today, call us at 720-420-9800 or email us using the form on this page.
