Texas explains stricter DWI regulations

Officials in Texas recently released information on the consequences of driving while intoxicated for the state’s commercial driver license holders.

Operating a larger vehicle is more dangerous than a passenger vehicle because 18-wheeler and semi-trucks are some of the largest vehicles on the road. With the special CDL driving training that a person must complete to work in the industry, commercial drivers are held to different standards concerning alcohol consumption.

In the United States, a passenger vehicle driver is considered legally intoxicated if he or she is found to have a blood alcohol content level of .08 or higher. However, CDL operators are considered legally intoxicated with a level of .04, just half the standard limit.

FMCSA and U.S. Department of Transportation regulations are also stricter for detecting alcohol in commercial drivers. While passenger vehicle drivers can only be tested if an officer suspects he or she has been drinking, commercial drivers can be chosen for testing at random.

If they are found to be under the influence driving a passenger or commercial vehicle, commercial drivers could lose their license for one to three years.

Texas explains stricter DWI regulations

Monday, October 8th, 2012