It is bad enough to drive a car or any other kind of vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but it is even worse to do so and drive a commercial vehicle. Especially truck drivers should keep this in mind, because it is obvious just how large a commercial semi-truck is when compared to the average car. The nickname of “kings of the road” is quite suitable.

When you drink or drive it affects your reflexes making it extremely dangerous since a semi truck takes much longer to come to a stop when braking making it imperative for the driver to have unaffected reflexes. It is sad and upsetting to even think about the consequences of a loaded semi “bumping” into a car much less slamming into a car.

To compensate for the differences like size and ease of vehicle control, a truck driver is legally impaired with a lower BAC than a driver of a regular car would be allowed to have by law. Presently, the federal law prohibits truck drivers from operating their commercial vehicle if they have a 0.04% BAC or more. Reducing the BAC for truck drivers has had positive results and has lowered the number of accidents with trucks over the last few years.

There is a common problem among truck drivers. They have such unrealistic deadlines to keep that they fell the need to use drugs such as stimulants and marijuana to keep them awake to meet deadlines or face the possibility of being fired by the company they work for. This is dangerous since they can impair the same as alcohol. Some resort to getting meth which is said to be quite easy to find at truck stops. The blame is hard to put on one and is most likely shared between truckers and demanding schedules from the company.

It is a good thing that all truck drivers from all companies are required to undergo random testing for drugs in their system. The tests can be done at any time, including right before the driver is set to leave for a job. By accepting the Commercial Driver’s License, all truck drivers give their implied consent to drug testing and there is absolutely no reason that a refusal is allowed. If the truck driver does refuse a drug test, then they can be fired from their job or will receive a fine.

This is always a situation that is serious enough that it will have to be looked further into. It is even more serious than a normal DWI, because of the number of lives potentially at stake. Every driver of a passenger car who has to drive next to a semi truck will want some sort of assurance that they are safe and that the truck driver won’t be suffering some problems, like flashback to a war he was in, just because he had took some substance to help remain awake.

If you are the driver of a truck, then remember to stay safe. Get the sleep that you need and don’t give in to temptation. There are a lot of lives at stake on the road, and it’s partly your job to make sure that they stay safe.

To get the best available help with DUI Maine, you need the kind of help that you can find on this site about commercial DUI attorney Maine.

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