Buses are an efficient form of transportation. Schools use them to get children to and from class. Many municipalities also have bus systems that provide public transit.
Buses are large and therefore difficult to operate safely. Bus drivers generally need to secure commercial driver’s licenses. They also have to follow stricter driving standards than many other motorists.
Despite the strict rules in place, bus drivers do sometimes cause preventable collisions through negligent behavior or overt misconduct. In scenarios where people suspect a bus driver of intoxication, they may potentially have grounds to take legal action if they sustained injuries because of the bus driver’s impairment.
The legal limit that applies is lower
Most adults in Oklahoma understand that the state could pursue drunk driving charges once their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reaches 0.08%. However, state documents assert that clear signs of impairments are detectable with a BAC of 0.05% or above.
Bus drivers and others operating commercial vehicles are subject to a lower BAC limit to protect the public from the incredible harm commercial vehicles could cause. Bus drivers cannot get behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle if they have a BAC of 0.04% or higher. While they may not look or sound intoxicated at that level, they might be too impaired to safely operate a bus.
Reporting suspicions that a bus driver may have consumed alcohol or other substances after a crash could help people seek justice. They may also need to prepare to take legal action in some cases. Learning more about the rules that govern bus drivers can help people respond effectively to potentially life-altering commercial vehicle crashes.
