As a resident of Hawaii, you’re living in a beautiful area with idyllic weather and tourist attractions. You have made a good life for yourself on Oahu, and you’d like to continue having one there.
Unfortunately, while you were traveling and making your last delivery in your semi, you were stopped by the police. You’ve been accused of driving while impaired and need to take steps to resolve the issue and keep your license.
Even a low blood alcohol concentration can lead to a commercial DUI
Did you know that commercial drivers are held to a higher standard than others? In fact, someone can get a DUI as a commercial driver when their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is just .04%. That’s half the limit for other drivers.
Why is this limit so low? It comes down to the vehicle you drive. You’re held to a higher standard because the vehicle is heavier and potentially carrying dangerous materials. Commercial drivers are a greater risk to other drivers, so they must avoid driving while impaired.
What should you do if you’re accused of a DUI but haven’t been drinking?
There are many reasons why someone may be accused of being impaired when they are not. Anything from medical conditions to dehydration could lead to someone failing a field sobriety test or other measures of impairment.
Remember, there are many federal regulations applying to CDLs, and you need to be familiar with them to avoid running afoul of the law. That way, you’ll be more familiar with the laws that could apply to you and how this case could go if you don’t have a strong defense.
Don’t delay in determining the right defenses for your case
Since your commercial license is at risk and you could lose your career if you’re convicted of a DUI, it’s important to take the charges seriously even if you know that the results were inaccurate. By getting to know your legal rights and the possible defenses, you may be able to get the charges dropped or to fight against any unfair penalties that would affect your future in Oahu.