Commercial drivers in Arizona receive strict penalties if convicted of DUI (driving under the influence). Blood alcohol levels for per se law are .04 instead of .08, and a second DUI results in the loss of a commercial driver’s license (CDL) for life.
Recently, in an effort to reduce safety issues, the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) issued an even stronger initiative called MAP-21, which stands for Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century. MAP-21 establishes and encourages states to create effective driving programs that reduce driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. It allows states to have greater spending flexibility with federal funds and leads to improved systems for the following:
- A new drug and alcohol clearinghouse for truck drivers
- Development of standards for notifying employers of changes in employees’ commercial driving statuses
- New registration requirements for detecting carriers with repeated incarceration
- Establishment of DWI (driving while intoxicated) courts
- State-impaired driving coordinators
- High-visibility enforcement
DWI courts address what the courts consider to be "hardcore DWI offenders." Through long-term treatment and close supervision, DWI courts have been successful in reducing recidivism (commission of repeated offenses). According to the National Center for DWI Courts (NCDC), participants in DWI Court programs are 19 times less likely to commit a new DWI offense than offenders sentenced by traditional courts. If you are a commercial driver facing a DUI arrest, consult an experienced DUI defense attorney in Tucson as soon as possible.
At Nesci & St. Louis, our lawyers are highly adept at handling DUI cases. Our legal team includes attorneys who are board-certified by the National College for DUI Defense and who have training in field sobriety tests, Breathalyzer administration and forensic chromatography for blood testing.
