A bus driver who drinks and drivers may lose both their license and their job.
In December 2019, a child riding the bus to school in Northern California called 911 to report that his bus driver was speeding, swerving in traffic, and had taken the wrong route to school. The California Highway Patrol responded, and arrested the bus driver on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs as well as child endangerment.
This situation may seem unusual — but incidents of school bus drivers operating their vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is a growing problem. According to a Stateline investigation, since 2015, more than 1,620 children have been put in danger after their bus drivers got behind the wheel after drinking and/or taking drugs. The report also found that 118 drivers across the country have been arrested for driving a school bus while impaired. Most of these incidents involved alcohol.
According to a DUI defense lawyer in Los Angeles, CA, school bus drivers in California must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to qualify for the job. Obtaining this type of license requires special training and testing.
Under California law, the legal limit for driving is .08%. This means that your blood alcohol content (BAC) must be under .08% to legally operate a motor vehicle. However, drivers of commercial vehicles are subject to a lower limit of .04%. This limit only applies when they are operating their commercial vehicle. Importantly, even if a person’s BAC is below the legal limit, they can still be charged with a DUI if their driving is impaired by drugs and/or alcohol.
If you are convicted of a DUI when you have a CDL, you may face both criminal penalties as well as a suspension of your CDL. Criminal penalties for a first-time DUI may include up to 1 year in county jail, significant fines, probation, and/or mandatory alcohol education classes. In addition, any person with a CDL who is convicted of a DUI — whether or not they were driving a commercial vehicle at the time — will have their CDL suspended. Similarly, if a driver with a CDL refuses to take a chemical breath or blood test, their CDL will be suspended. If you receive a second DUI, you will lose your CDL for life.
It is clearly unsafe to operate a commercial motor vehicle — particularly one that is filled with schoolchildren — while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. However, just because you have been accused of this crime doesn’t mean that you are guilty. A DUI defense lawyer in Los Angeles, CA can help you fight back against these charges, protecting both your freedom and your livelihood.
The
legal professionals of the Chambers Law Firm have a track record of
success in representing individuals charged with a California DUI.
To learn more about how we can help you, or to schedule a free
initial consultation with a DUI defense lawyer in Los Angeles, CA,
contact us today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com.
