For most Ohio drivers, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of more than .08. It is also illegal to drive if, in the opinion of the police, the driver was too drunk or drugged to operate a vehicle safely.
For commercial drivers like truckers, though, the rule is stricter. Operators of commercial vehicles are legally not allowed to operate a vehicle with over .04 BAC or they risk losing the privilege of driving commercial vehicles for a long time.
In fact, any trace of alcohol in a driver’s system will lead to a 24-hour shutdown of the driver’s operation.
Even small amounts of alcohol can affect a trucker’s driving
It’s no surprise that the government has such little tolerance of any drinking and driving when behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle.
After all, despite .08 being a legal limit in most states, the reality is that alcohol starts affecting the body in much smaller amounts. Even a person with a BAC of around .05 is likely to start losing the ability to make quick judgements, and they may lack the sense of caution needed for careful driving.
For most drivers, this seems to be a risk that the lawmakers of many states are willing to accept. However, for operators of commercial vehicles, the possibility of having an accident with very heavy piece machinery is simply too dangerous.
Drunk and drugged truck drivers should be brought to justice
Even if a drunk truck driver, that is, one who blows over. 04, loses his or her driving privileges or receives other consequences, it might be enough to ensure victims receive compensation. That may require filing a separate civil lawsuit.
