The police always look out for anyone they suspect may be driving drunk. If you drive a semi truck or commercial vehicle, you can expect officers to pay even more attention to you because of the increased damage your vehicle could do if you lose control of it.
The greater visibility of truck drivers and stricter rules that apply to them can mean an increased risk of an arrest and more consequences after one — even for instances that occur while driving your personal vehicle.
You could face charges for half as much alcohol
California police could charge you with driving under the influence if one of two things occur:
- They believe you were driving in a way that suggests you are impaired.
- You test over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
The BAC threshold that applies to most drivers is 0.08%. However, the standard is half for truck drivers. A BAC of 0.04% would be sufficient for a police officer to arrest you if you are in control of a commercial vehicle at that time.
A DUI could affect your ability to drive a truck
Most professionals’ behavior outside work will have minimal impact on their careers. However, as a truck driver, a drunk driving conviction while in your private vehicle will likely end your eligibility for a commercial driver’s license. Without this, you will be unable to continue driving for a living.
Understanding the increased consequences you could face if convicted of drunk driving as a truck driver highlights how important it is to seek legal help to fight the charges you face. Even if you test over the BAC limit, defense options may still be available.