How a Violation Could Impact Your Commercial Driver’s License

 Posted on March 29, 2019 in Traffic Violations

Here in the United States, commercial truckers are an integral part of our economy. Commercial trucking continues to be the No. 1 form of shipping. According to the American Trucking Association, there are an estimated 3.5 million truckers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) nationwide. With so many truckers on the road, truck accidents are common.

Due to the severity of many commercial trucking collisions, law enforcement is always on the lookout for commercial drivers in violation of state or federal laws. If you are cited for a CDL violation, it is critical to seek experienced legal guidance right away. 

Common CDL Violations 

According to statistics compiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA), 4,213 commercial trucks were involved in fatal accidents in 2016. Many of these accidents occur when truck drivers are negligent or in violation of regulatory standards. 

Impaired Driving 

Operating a commercial vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a direct violation of professional truck driver contracts and the law. If you are caught drinking or abusing prescription or illegal drugs while driving, you could face criminal charges, substantial fines, and loss of your CDL. Even if you are able to maintain your commercial driving privileges, many trucking companies avoid hiring drivers with prior convictions. 

Violations of Driving Hours

Due to changes in trucking regulations, commercial truck drivers must utilize electronic logging devices (ELDs) to log their hours of travel. Commercial truckers are only allowed to drive for 11 hours per day. In some cases, trucking companies ask their drivers to falsify logs in order to deliver cargo on time. If you fail to adhere to the regulatory standards related to driving hours, penalties can be quite severe. If your company told you to falsify your logs, you need skilled legal representation immediately.

Reckless Driving

Today, the average commercial truck weighs in excess of 10,000 pounds when carrying a full cargo load. Due to the sheer size of commercial trucks, it is important for drivers to avoid negligent and reckless driving. The most common forms of reckless driving among truckers include texting while driving, speeding, and erratic lane changes. Much like the violations mentioned above, these violations could result in the loss of your CDL and serious fines. 

Contact a Naperville CDL Violations Lawyer 

Simply paying a fine for a CDL violation is an admission of guilt. A violation can drastically impact your insurance payments and result in the loss of your commercial driver's license. Attorney Patricia Magaña understands how the loss of driving privileges can impact a commercial truck driver’s livelihood. With years of experience within the state of Illinois, she is ready to fight for your driving privileges. Attorney Magaña is also happy to offer bilingual consultations to Spanish-speaking clients. To schedule a free consultation with a dedicated Will County criminal defense attorney, call us today at 630-448-2001.  

Sources:

http://www.alltrucking.com/faq/truck-drivers-in-the-usa/

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts-2016

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/Drivers%20Guide%20to%20HOS%202015_508.pdf