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As long as there have been motorized vehicles, truck drivers have been an integral part of our culture, bringing food and supplies across the country. The standards for truck drivers with commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) are higher than the average driver on the road. Below, we’ll explain the different standards between “normal” Class C drivers and commercial driver’s license holders.
In an office-related job, the drug and alcohol policy could be as simple as “don’t show up under the influence”, or it could be heavily regulated, as it is with truck drivers.
Some key differences between a regular Class C driver’s license (for a standard 2-axle vehicle) and licensed truck driver with a CDL include:
Yes.
Their alcohol testing limit is .04%, and they are drug tested for the following reasons:
Employers are required to report ALL testing to a database called Clearinghouse. This allows for continued reporting and higher standards for truckers in the Department of Transportation. The Clearinghouse database shows real-time information about a driver and if they hold any violations within the drug and alcohol testing program.
Employers are also required to report any violations to Clearinghouse, such as refusal to test, positive tests, and reasons for testing.
Although businesses that employ truckers must comply with random alcohol testing, only a small sample of their truckers are typically tested. For example, the random testing limit is 10% annually for drivers in a company. This means that if you have a company with 120 drivers on your roster, only 12 are being tested annually. For compliance, this testing must be done quarterly to meet that yearly number. Every quarter, then, only 3 people are getting tested.
While truck drivers are held to higher standards due to their profession, about half admitted to drinking and driving. When a study was conducted, they found that roughly 12% were positive for alcohol.
On average, 4,696 fatal truck-related accidents occur every year. In California, 3,000 accidents every year result in personal injury. Approximately 3% of those fatal car crashes were alcohol-related.
We are prepared to work for you. Alcohol-related truck accidents can have devastating consequences to you or a family member. If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck crash, it is important to seek legal counsel to ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
At Caputo and Van Der Walde – Injury & Accident Attorneys, our experienced San Jose truck accident lawyers can help you navigate the complex legal process and protect your rights.
As members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum® and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum®, we have proven our ability to negotiate and litigate on behalf of our clients successfully. Retain us to put our tactical strategies to work for you. These skills are what make our legal team such a formidable opponent in any courtroom or negotiation setting.