Why Commercial DUI Is Such A Big Deal
Driving under the influence (DUI) is bad news for any driver; however, it's even worse for commercial drivers. Below are some of the reasons commercial drivers should be extremely wary of driving after taking alcohol.
Low BAC Levels
Commercial drivers are held to higher standards than private drivers. Many commercial drivers have big vehicles and carry more dangerous cargo than private drivers. Those two things mean a DUI accident with a commercial truck is likely to cause more damage than a DUI in a private car. As a result, commercial drivers are considered intoxicated if their blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeds 0.04 instead of the 0.08 that private drivers are held to.
Harsher Penalties
For the same reasons as discussed above, commercial drivers face harsher penalties than private drivers if they are convicted of the same class of DUI. This translates to higher monetary penalties and longer license suspensions than private drivers experience, among other normal penalties for DUI convicts.
Employer Notification
Commercial drivers are required to inform their employers every time they commit traffic crimes, which include DUIs. This even applies to DUIs outside of normal working hours or in private cars. Say you are a commercial driver, and you get a DUI on the weekend while driving home from a friend's party. You are required to inform your employer about the DUI.
Employer Consequences
If a commercial driver is convicted of a DUI, their employer also has to face some consequences. For example, the employer may see their commercial auto insurance rates go up. In some cases, the employer may be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee, particularly if the employee causes a DUI accident.
Employment Difficulties
Any job or career can be affected by a DUI, but the effect is likely to be worse for a commercial driver. As mentioned above, commercial drivers are required to report their DUI crimes to their employers. At the same time, the employers also have to carry some of the burdens of the DUI. As a result, an employer might discipline a driver, deny the driver a promotion, or even terminate the driver's contract if the driver is convicted of a DUI. In fact, it is difficult for commercial drivers with DUIs in their histories to find employment in the same line of work.
As you can see, you stand to lose a lot if you are convicted of a commercial DUI. Contact a DUI lawyer, like those represented at https://dlplawyers.com/, the minute you are facing such charges to help you mount the best defense possible.