Truck Driver Substance Abuse

Even short lapses of attention, or slight delays in reaction time, while operating a heavy commercial truck can result in catastrophic injury. Truck driver sobriety is, therefore, essential to the safety of the motoring public. For that reason, truck drivers are prohibited from reporting for duty with a blood alcohol concentration greater than 0.04, a standard much more stringent than for the general motoring public.

Federal regulations prohibit drivers from using alcohol or controlled substances while on-duty or within four hours of performing safety-sensitive functions. These rules require trucking companies to randomly test drivers for drugs and alcohol. Truck drivers must also submit to alcohol or drug testing if his or her employer has a reasonable suspicion that the driver is in violation of the substance abuse rules. Finally, truck drivers must submit to alcohol and drug testing after an accident involving loss of life or serious injury, and they are prohibited from using alcohol within eight hours after an accident or until post-accident testing is performed.

At Clark Perdue, our truck accident attorneys have the knowledge and resources to determine whether a truck crash was caused by the driver’s alcohol or drug abuse – and they have the experience to prove it in court.

The law firm of Clark Perdue has extensive experience handling claims involving trucking crashes. If requested, we will meet you--in your home or at the hospital, if necessary--to explain your legal rights and make suggestions for immediate action. For a free trucking accident consultation, please call us, or send a confidential e-mail. We promise to respond promptly.


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