Commercial drivers must be particularly cautious when they’re driving. Under no circumstances can these individuals operate vehicles if they’re impaired. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict guidelines for these drivers in this regard.
The FMCSA regulations cover a variety of commercial drivers. These include:
- For-hire or private motor carriers
- Anyone who assigns drivers to, leases or owns commercial vehicles
- Government entities
- Churches and civic organizations
One of the FMCSA guidelines is that commercial vehicle drivers can’t have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .04% or above when operating a commercial vehicle. Additionally, these drivers can’t operate a vehicle if they’ve had alcohol in the previous four hours.
There are strict penalties for DUIs for commercial drivers
The penalties for drunk driving for commercial drivers are strict. One thing that people don’t often realize is that even DUIs in personal vehicles can have an impact on a commercial driver’s license. Anyone who receives a moving violation must notify their employer within 30 days, so they may incur employment consequences from their employer, even if they weren’t cited for a DUI while on the job.
Additional penalties resulting from a criminal conviction may include time in jail and suspension or revocation of one’s driver’s license. Probation and other penalties may also be imposed.
Alcohol testing can occur for various reasons
Commercial drivers can be tested for alcohol for many reasons. They may be tested during traffic stops, but they can also be tested after a crash, or anytime there’s reasonable suspicion to believe the driver has been drinking. They’re also tested before they can return to work after an impairment-related incident.
Long-term consequences may be imposed
The long-term consequences that may result from a conviction of drunk driving for a commercial driver can be harrowing. The suspension or loss of their license can mean the end of their livelihood. This can lead to them being unable to pay for life’s necessities. They may have to find another line of work, which might be challenging because of their criminal record.
Seeking legal guidance regarding drunk driving charges for commercial drivers can help defendants to understand their options and to build a defense strategy. It’s a tough situation but the outcome of DUI cases isn’t set in stone.
