The Very Real Consequence Of A CDL DUI
It has been said that we all make mistakes, and none of us may stand in judgment of another for this reason. Sometimes our life choices lead us into consequences we did not anticipate. However, anyone who drives commercial trucks should already be well aware of the damning consequences of a CDL DUI.
This career suicide almost never happens while they are driving their commercial vehicles. Sometimes drivers incorrectly assume that such an arrest while in their own vehicle will never effect their job. However, the Department of Transportation is always alerted to such arrests immediately.
The hard truth is that the arresting jurisdiction is required to report the matter to the Department of Transportation. The DOT has their own policy in such matters. First and foremost on their list of consequences is to honor any license suspensions the accused may receive, as well as notifying the company that the accused has been working for.
Some states have laws for driving while intoxicated while others have a standard driving under the influence policy. If the driver is lucky, they are in a DWI state, and as such, must actually breath over the limit of 0.08 in order to be arrested. In most jurisdictions, however, simply being prudent enough to limit the amount of alcohol consumed is not enough to protect one from being arrested.
Most states have enacted laws which allow for arrests for anyone caught driving while simply under the influence of alcohol or other substances. This means that the legal limit is merely a suggestion, does not apply to those who appear to be using narcotics, and it is within the power of the arresting officer to place charges against someone who thinks they are legal and able to drive. In such a jurisdiction, ANY amount of alcohol consumed puts the driver at risk of being arrested.
Marijuana laws are changing, and this has created loopholes that law enforcement can use in order to maximize their arrests. If a driver indulges in marijuana in a state where it is legal, then travels to a state where it is not, they may find themselves in a heap of trouble. If the officer has any reason to suspect that the driver may have consumed marijuana in the recent past, they just might take that opportunity to push their luck.
There is some legal grey areas here because of the fact that pot can stay in the blood for as long as a month. This means that a driver can be charged for driving under the influence of the substance when they might not have even been using it that day. Officers will try and make these charges stick as often as possible because these tickets are the most expensive, and therefore provide the greatest revenue potential for their jurisdiction.
Commercial drivers cannot safely consume any drugs, or any amount of alcohol and drive. Abstinence from both is the only way they can truly protect themselves from opportunistic law enforcement personnel who patrol the streets in search of revenue for their jurisdiction. When drinking, calling a cab or a friend is the only good policy, even if it was just a beer over dinner with friends or family.
This career suicide almost never happens while they are driving their commercial vehicles. Sometimes drivers incorrectly assume that such an arrest while in their own vehicle will never effect their job. However, the Department of Transportation is always alerted to such arrests immediately.
The hard truth is that the arresting jurisdiction is required to report the matter to the Department of Transportation. The DOT has their own policy in such matters. First and foremost on their list of consequences is to honor any license suspensions the accused may receive, as well as notifying the company that the accused has been working for.
Some states have laws for driving while intoxicated while others have a standard driving under the influence policy. If the driver is lucky, they are in a DWI state, and as such, must actually breath over the limit of 0.08 in order to be arrested. In most jurisdictions, however, simply being prudent enough to limit the amount of alcohol consumed is not enough to protect one from being arrested.
Most states have enacted laws which allow for arrests for anyone caught driving while simply under the influence of alcohol or other substances. This means that the legal limit is merely a suggestion, does not apply to those who appear to be using narcotics, and it is within the power of the arresting officer to place charges against someone who thinks they are legal and able to drive. In such a jurisdiction, ANY amount of alcohol consumed puts the driver at risk of being arrested.
Marijuana laws are changing, and this has created loopholes that law enforcement can use in order to maximize their arrests. If a driver indulges in marijuana in a state where it is legal, then travels to a state where it is not, they may find themselves in a heap of trouble. If the officer has any reason to suspect that the driver may have consumed marijuana in the recent past, they just might take that opportunity to push their luck.
There is some legal grey areas here because of the fact that pot can stay in the blood for as long as a month. This means that a driver can be charged for driving under the influence of the substance when they might not have even been using it that day. Officers will try and make these charges stick as often as possible because these tickets are the most expensive, and therefore provide the greatest revenue potential for their jurisdiction.
Commercial drivers cannot safely consume any drugs, or any amount of alcohol and drive. Abstinence from both is the only way they can truly protect themselves from opportunistic law enforcement personnel who patrol the streets in search of revenue for their jurisdiction. When drinking, calling a cab or a friend is the only good policy, even if it was just a beer over dinner with friends or family.
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