Common CDL Violations That Could Affect Your Driving Privileges
In the United States, commercial trucking is a large part of the economy and is one of the most common ways to transport goods throughout the country. According to the American Trucking Association, there are almost 37 million trucks registered and used for business purposes in the U.S. With so many large trucks on the road, truck accidents are not uncommon. Because of their large size and prevalence, numerous laws exist to protect others who are on the road. When a commercial driver violates those laws, they face serious consequences that can even threaten their driving privileges, such as the violations below. If you have been cited for any CDL violations, contact a traffic ticket attorney right away.
Reckless Driving
Commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) are very large in size and weight. Even when a large truck is not carrying a full load, it still weighs thousands of pounds, which can become very dangerous if a driver is not careful. Reckless driving is something that law enforcement and licensing agencies take very seriously. Common forms of reckless driving among commercial drivers include speeding, texting or using a cell phone while driving, and erratic lane changes. Depending on the specific circumstances, a reckless driving violation could threaten your commercial driving privileges.
Hours of Service Violations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the governing body that oversees commercial trucking and commercial licensing in the U.S. The FMCSA has rules that dictate how long a trucker is legally able to drive at a time. These are called hours of service and are taken very seriously. Driving fatigue is a real issue and the chances of an accident occurring increase when the driver is tired and unable to concentrate properly. Violating the hours-of-service rules can have a significant impact on your CDL.
Driving While Intoxicated or Impaired
One of the most serious violations when it comes to driving a commercial vehicle or any vehicle is driving when you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you are caught driving while you are intoxicated, you could face substantial fines, jail time, and a loss of your CDL. Even if you are able to retain your commercial driving privileges, many trucking companies avoid hiring drivers who have prior DUI convictions.
Contact a Traffic Violations Law Firm Today
Many CDL violations can be fine-only violations or they can carry fines in addition to further penalties. If you just pay the fine, you are admitting that you are guilty of that violation, which can negatively impact your commercial driving career.
To find out what legal options there are to fight a traffic violation you have been issued, call an experienced attorney, like a New Jersey traffic ticket attorney from a law firm like Rispoli & Borneo P.C.