If you have been in a truck accident in Charleston or Huntington, West Virginia, please visit the website of Jan Dils & Jim Leach, West Virginia truck accident attorneys, today to learn more about what you can do following this traumatic event.
The United States government, at this time, mandates pre-employment drug tests and then random drug and alcohol testing after being hired for all commercial truck drivers. The law specifically states that drivers with a commercial driver's license (CDL) are subject to drug testing as are truck owner-operators with a CDL and motor carriers who employ drivers with a CDL.
A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Traffic Safety showed that 15% of all interstate truck drivers had marijuana in their system, 12% had stimulants (non-prescription), 5% had prescription stimulants, 2% had cocaine and less than 1% had alcohol in their system. The use of drugs and alcohol by truck drivers will, of course, increase the number of truck accidents on our nation’s roadways.
Alcohol
Just about everyone knows that you don’t have to be drunk to be impaired while driving. Even very low blood alcohol content (BAC) levels impair driving performance by reducing your reaction time and slowing the decision-making process. The federal government prohibits commercial truck drivers, railroad and mass transit workers, marine employees, and aircraft pilots from operating vehicles with a BAC at or greater than 0.04%. The number of accidents caused by intoxicated truck drivers has actually decreased in recent years. Statistics show that approximately only 1-3% of trucking accidents are caused by an impaired truck driver.
Marijuana
Many people believe (erroneously) that driving after smoking marijuana is safer than driving after drinking. This is simply not true. Marijuana can affect concentration, perception and reaction time as long as 24 hours after it is smoked. That is much, much longer than alcohol affects a driver's behavior.
Marijuana has been found to be a factor in over 12% of fatal trucking accidents. In recent years, out of the truckers tested randomly for drugs and alcohol, a whopping 45% showed marijuana in their system.
Methamphetamine
Due to the ridiculously long hours truckers must drive to meet deadlines, they are always looking for ways to stay awake and alert to meet deadlines. It has been reported that 17 out of every 20 truckers say it is very easy to find methamphetamine at truck stops along their route. Truckers have recently been succumbing more and more to the powerful drug due to the fact it can keep people awake for several hours and sometimes days at a time. Surveys and roadside tests have indicated that one in five truckers use stimulants on some of their trips.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
Liability in a Car Accident when a Car is Defective
By: Erich Shrefler | 23/11/2009Dangerous automobiles can cause unnecessary injury in a car accident by failing to operate as designed, or by being poorly designed. Hundreds of accidents involving defective safety restraints and airbags that fail to deploy result in unnecessary injuries every year.
Wrongful Death Claims – A Lawsuit By Another Name
By: Thomas Ajava | 23/11/2009The concept of wrongful death is unique in the law because it is what is known as a bootstrap law. While someone may file a wrongful death lawsuit, the legal claims in that lawsuit are actually based on other legal theories that exist regardless of whether a person died or not.
Two thirds of personal injury claimants would choose to go it alone
By: itsmyclaim | 23/11/2009More than three quarters of people would be happy to make their own personal injury claim for compensation according to research conducted by recently launched online consumer claims company itsmyclaim.com.
Surgical Error compensation
By: Ayesha Salim | 23/11/2009Most surgeons carry out surgeries on their patients to a high measure, and their patients expect nothing less as they are owed a responsibility of care. Despite this, patients have complained of errors taking place during their operation, errors which must not have occurred.
Car Accidents
By: Erich Shrefler | 20/11/2009Not everybody on the road is insured and those that are may not be able to pay enough to meet your future needs. If you are involved in a car accident, contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Michigan Daycare Accident and Childcare Injury Lawsuits
By: Lawrence J. Buckfire | 20/11/2009Michigan child injury lawyer discusses injuries children can sustain from daycare and childcare.
How To Win Your Michigan Dog Bite Lawsuit
By: Lawrence J. Buckfire | 20/11/2009Michigan Dog Bite and Animal Attack Lawyer dicusses the things you should know so that you can win your dog bite case.
Slip And Fall Injury on Ice - Florida Expert Advice
By: Joseph M. Maus | 20/11/2009In the case of a Florida slip and fall injury, there are strict requirements for reporting a claim to a governmental agency.
Teeth Whitening in Beverly Hills
By: Lynn Fugaro | 12/11/2009 | Dental CareMany factors can cause your teeth to darken or become stained over time. Some of these are controllable, such as staining caused by smoking or foods and beverages. Others are simply due to the natural effects of aging. However, teeth whitening can quickly and easily restore your teeth to their original color.
When Would I Need a Criminal Defense Attorney?
By: Lynn Fugaro | 12/11/2009 | CriminalIt’s a situation you hope never to have to face—arrest for a criminal offense. If you are ever forced to deal with this difficult scenario, it’s important to have an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side to ensure the best possible outcome.
Breast Augmentation in Orange County
By: Lynn Fugaro | 12/11/2009 | BeautyThe increasing popularity and availability of breast augmentation surgery has made it more socially acceptable than ever. While once the surgery was pursued mostly by actresses and models, now many women undergo breast augmentation for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, breast augmentation allows hundreds of thousands of women each year to feel confident and comfortable in their bodies.
Breast Augmentation in Orange County
By: Lynn Fugaro | 12/11/2009 | BeautyThe increasing popularity and availability of breast augmentation surgery has made it more socially acceptable than ever. While once the surgery was pursued mostly by actresses and models, now many women undergo breast augmentation for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, breast augmentation allows hundreds of thousands of women each year to feel confident and comfortable in their bodies.
Sedation Dentistry in Houston
By: Lynn Fugaro | 12/11/2009 | Dental CareFor some people, a simple visit to the dentist brings on panic attacks so severe that even twice-yearly checkups and cleanings are virtually impossible. If you are among these people, sedation dentistry can help you overcome your fear and get the regular dental care you need.
Dental Implants in Virginia
By: Lynn Fugaro | 11/11/2009 | Dental CareHaving a gap in one’s smile not only makes it difficult to chew and speak, it can also cause the neighboring teeth to shift which can alter the bite and even lead to deterioration of the jawbone. In the past, dentures and dental bridges were the only ways to correct a missing tooth
Why Do I Need a Divorce Lawyer?
By: Lynn Fugaro | 11/11/2009 | Intellectual PropertyWhen a marriage dissolves, emotions run high, and the people involved in the dispute too often end up doing or saying things in the heat of the moment that they later regret. This is particularly damaging if there are children involved in divorce negotiations. In seeking to keep divorce proceedings civil, and to make the whole process easier on everyone concerned, an experienced divorce lawyer can make a huge difference.
What is Personal Injury Law?
By: Lynn Fugaro | 11/11/2009 | Personal InjuryNo matter how careful you are, at some point in your life you are likely to have an accident of some sort, whether it’s a traffic accident, a slip and fall accident, or another incident that leaves you injured. In those cases where your injury is due to negligence on the part of another person, a company, or another organization, personal injury law is there to protect you.