Rules about impaired truckers are strict

As Reno residents can probably guess, handling a truck or other large commercial vehicle is a tough task. This is why commercial drivers have to get a special license that entails extra training and other legal hoops that those who are just driving ordinary passenger cars do not usually have to worry about.

Getting a commercial license also means that commercial drivers are subject to special rules that other drivers do not have to worry about.

One of these rules is a requirement that, at least in commercial vehicles, drivers not operate with a blood alcohol content of more than .04, which is the equivalent of a couple of drinks. This is a limit Nevada drivers of large trucks and other commercial vehicles must observe even though Nevada’s legal limit is otherwise .08, just like the vast majority of the states.

Since this is the law, truck drivers must follow it, and trucking companies must likewise take steps to be sure the rule is followed. However, for those who are curious, there is actually some scientific fact behind this rule. The reality is that a driver who is at .05 BAC or even at .03 BAC does not have the same ability to make quick judgements, react or focus on objects that are ahead on the road.

Even at .04 blood alcohol content, a trucker can cause a lot of damage. Even a little mistake behind the wheel can lead to a bad truck accident. These sorts of accidents can leave victims permanently injured and unable to work.

If it turns out that the accident may have been caused by a driver who was over the alcohol limit for commercial drivers, even if he or she had under .08 BAC, then victims can attempt to hold the driver accountable via a lawsuit alleging negligence.