An adult with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in New York may be eligible for some of the best-paid blue-collar jobs available. Commercial drivers often receive competitive salaries and comprehensive benefit packages. However, they frequently work very long shifts and have to abide by relatively strict rules for their behavior in traffic to earn those wages.
For example, those with a CDL in New York are subject to very strict rules about impaired driving in particular. There are a few unique ways in which drunk driving rules that apply to those with a CDL.
The impairment threshold is lower
The average motorist in New York could end up arrested for drunk driving based on their performance at the wheel or chemical test results. Someone who is over the legal limit for their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) could get arrested and charged with a crime. The average driver is subject to arrest with a BAC of 0.08%. A driver operating a commercial vehicle could get arrested for impairment with a BAC of 0.04% or higher.
Private mistakes can result in professional consequences
Not only does someone driving a commercial truck have to worry about a strict BAC while limit on the job, but they have to be aware of the risks while on their own time. A drunk driving conviction for an offense off the clock could make someone ineligible for their CDL.
Therefore, someone who drives for a living and gets arrested either on the job or on their own time for impairment at the wheel may need to go to trial if they want to continue developing their career. Fighting back against impaired driving charges can potentially help commercial drivers preserve the license they require to earn a competitive wage.