The Very Real Consequence Of A CDL DUI

By Linda Hughes


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.

For a driver to ruin their career does not always mean that they were arrested while in the scope of his or her employment either. Just because one is caught driving under the influence in their private vehicle does not mean that they will not lose their job. The fact is, authorities will report the arrest to the Department of Transportation.

There is no doubt that the DOT will honor the license suspension that is part and parcel of any such arrest. They may have additional consequences as part of their official policy. At the very least, part of this policy is going to be reporting the arrest to the company that the accused is working for, and allowing them to approach the matter based on their own corporate policies and procedures.

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.

Even if the marijuana consumption was done in the weeks prior to being detained, there are many offices who will attempt to charge the driver anyway. Marijuana can stay in the system for up to a month. This means that many officers will attempt to make a driving under the influence of marijuana charge stick even if the driver did not smoke any pot that day.

Playing it safe for commercial drivers means abstinence. Drinking and using drugs of any kind, including prescription narcotics, is a risk that can be career suicide. For drivers who have put in more than a million miles in their career, losing their trusted status as well as their license means they can no longer make the kind of money that they are accustomed to.




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