Drunk driving is a serious problem throughout Louisiana. But when people think of drunk driving, they often think of an individual coming home from a late night out, operating his or her personal vehicle. While this is certainly the typical scenario in drunk driving accidents, it is not the only one. Truckers can also be intoxicated behind the wheel. Because of the size of semi trucks, those that are driven negligently can become weapons of massive devastation. Knowing just how dangerous a combination drinking and trucking can be, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has implemented regulations on truckers’ alcohol use.
The regulations regarding this issue are pretty strict. Truckers are prohibited from consuming or being under the influence of alcohol within four hours of starting their work or operating a truck. Additionally, there can be no detectable presence of alcohol while a trucker is driving. In fact, these truckers cannot even possess most types of alcohol while they are on the job.
Truckers who violate these regulations are to be taken off the job immediately upon discovery. These truckers must then report the incident to their employers and a designated state official. Failure to do so could lead to additional penalties.
Though these regulations go a long way toward protecting our nation’s drivers from truck accidents caused by intoxication, they do not eliminate these types of crashes. Instead, far too many people are injured or killed in these wrecks, and the resulting damages can be long-lasting. In an attempt to recoup their medical expenses and lost wages, and obtain compensation for their pain and suffering, those affected by a truck accident may want to consider taking legal action.
Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “Part 392,” accessed on July 3, 2016
