It’s dangerous to operate any vehicle or machinery while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, let alone a large semi-truck or tractor-trailer. Unfortunately, substance abuse has always been problematic amongst American truck drivers. When asked about their drug and alcohol habits, 91 percent of truck drivers admitted to drinking, 82.5 percent admitted to using amphetamines, and 29.9 percent admitted to using marijuana on the job. Another 8.3 percent acknowledged using much harsher drugs like cocaine.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) trucking regulations require truck drivers to submit to regular and random drug tests. In 2023, 61,443 truck drivers failed drug tests, representing a 10 percent decrease from the year prior. However, drug test refusals also surged by 40 percent that year.
Drug testing has limitations, too, especially in regard to alcohol. Alcohol has a very short half-life in the body. It only takes about 4 to 5 hours for the body to process and remove a drink once it’s consumed. There’s a good chance a truck driver’s alcohol habit might not be picked up by drug tests, making it possible for drunk drivers to share the road with other drivers undetected. Unfortunately, this seems to be what’s happening. Between 2022 and 2023, fatal truck accidents involving impaired drivers increased by 19 percent.
Why It’s Dangerous to Drive a Commercial Truck Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
Trucks are notoriously more difficult to maneuver than smaller passenger vehicles due to their weight, length, and height. It’s why New York state law and the FMCSA have strict rules and requirements for driving commercial vehicles. Among these requirements is a promise to abstain from drug and alcohol use while on the job. Truck drivers can’t legally drink within 4 hours of beginning a new shift, and illicit drugs are always forbidden.
Whether a truck driver resorts to depressants like alcohol or stimulants like amphetamines, it impairs their ability to operate a large commercial rig safely. Drugs and alcohol impair cognitive processes like concentration, memory, focus, decision-making, vision, and reasoning. When any of these functions are compromised, there’s a greater chance that a truck driver will make a mistake and create a situation in which their rig and/or other vehicles are involved in an accident. Truck drivers who use drugs and alcohol are statistically more likely to:
- Speed
- Get distracted
- Weave between lanes of traffic
- Run red lights and stop signs
- Tailgate other vehicles
- Miscalculate stopping distances and braking time
- Suffer from fatigue and fall asleep at the wheel
- Experience road rage and engage in aggressive driving behaviors
- Drive the wrong way down the road against oncoming traffic
- Forget to check large truck blind spots for other vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians
Truck drivers who are drunk are also less likely to adapt to sudden changes in traffic or to self-correct when their semi-truck begins to jackknife or roll over. Given the sheer size and weight of most commercial trucks, the potential consequences can be catastrophic. As the victim of a drunk driving truck accident in New York City, New York, it’s important to know that you have rights. Not only can you sue the impaired truck driver for damages, but you might be able to hold the trucking company and other parties liable, as well.
Truck accident litigation can be complex, especially when drugs and alcohol are involved, so it’s important to hire an experienced NYC truck accident attorney at The Platta Law Firm to help you navigate the process. Contact our award-winning legal team at (212) 514-5100 to schedule a free consultation to learn about your rights and discover how we can help you fight for maximum compensation.