Sometimes, the biggest danger on Tennessee roads can be the other drivers traveling around you. This can be especially true if those vehicles are large trucks. If you are involved in an accident with semi-trucks and other large vehicles, their increased size and weight can mean more serious injuries and fatalities. To keep this from happening, lawmakers have created stricter laws for truck drivers to follow. We at Pryor, Priest and Harber have experience representing drivers who have had collisions with large trucks and can help you receive the compensation you deserve.
One of the most common factors in car accidents is alcohol. In an effort to prevent these accidents from occurring with large trucks, officials at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have decreased the blood alcohol concentration that truck drivers are allowed to have. While other drivers are still within legal boundaries with a BAC of 0.08 percent, truck drivers must keep their levels below 0.04 percent to legally drive.
The penalties that truck drivers will face if they do not follow this rule are severe. A single DUI citation can mean a loss of both commercial and non-commercial licenses, jail time or a fine. This can mean that commercial drivers will not be able to operate their truck and will may lose their ability to work. Employers must also be notified of any traffic violations within 30 days, and many do not employ drivers with citations for drunk driving.
This law aims to reduce the chances that a large truck will be involved in a collision with a smaller vehicle and prevent the damage that can follow. For more information on this topic, please visit our web page.