Commercial Drivers - PA DUI Law
Commercial Drivers face lower BAC limits on DUI charges, and a conviction can mean the loss of a job.
Generally speaking, you commit the crime of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) when you drive with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. However, there are two exceptions. The first exception to this rule is if you are a minor. The second exception is if you operate commercial vehicles/school buses.
For someone driving a commercial vehicle, a BAC of 0.04% or higher would be enough for the prosecution to obtain a conviction. For school bus drivers, you may not drive with a BAC of 0.02% or higher. As you can imagine, that is a very low amount, an amount that could perhaps be reached by taking too much cough syrup. The Commonwealth is not required to prove that the school bus driver was incapable of safe driving. Mere presence of alcohol above the legal limit is enough. These are considered misdemeanor DUI offenses.
As with any general charge of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Pennsylvania, it is illegal for Commercial/School Bus drivers to drive after ingesting a Controlled Substance or combining drugs and alcohol. Again, the Commonwealth (the prosecutor) is not required to prove that you were incapable of safe driving. The mere presence of the drugs in your blood is enough to obtain a DUI conviction. This is a misdemeanor offense.
Under Pennsylvania statutes governing Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, all offenses involving general impairment or Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) are graded at least a misdemeanor offense. This means monetary fines and some possible jail time. However, Commercial/School Bus drivers are held to a higher standard.
The other very important aspect of a Commercial Driver DUI is that the driver can lose his job as a result of a DUI conviction. Common sense will tell you that a Commercial Driver without a license is not much of an asset to his/her company.
At Morrow & Artim, we offer a no cost, no obligation review of your commercial DUI or criminal law matter via a short telephone consult or an email reply. If both you and our firm agree that legal representation is required, an in-office appointment will be scheduled.Call Morrow & Artim today at 412-823-8003 to obtain the legal help that you deserve.
