| 18-wheelers transport the majority of cargo across | | | | This percentage is responsible for between forty-six |
| land in the United States. The operators of these | | | | and one hundred forty fatalities each year. That does |
| vehicular behemoths are responsible for more than | | | | not mention the number of people who are injured in |
| just their cargo. They are, in addition to their credit, | | | | truck accidents involving alcohol. |
| are responsible for the lives and safety of other | | | | The good news is that the number of crashes which |
| drivers on the road. As such, they are entrusted with | | | | were alcohol-related used to be higher. Thanks to |
| operating their vehicles in a safe way. Whenever | | | | harsh enforcement and stiffer penalties, the number |
| truck drivers use drugs or consume alcohol, however, | | | | of accidents involving alcohol has decreased. |
| and then operate their trucks, it puts not just the | | | | Marijuana |
| truckers and their cargo at risk but everyone on the | | | | A large number of people are of the opinion that |
| road. | | | | driving while high or drugged is less of a risk to the |
| Alcohol | | | | safety of all people on the road than drunk driving is. |
| As we all know, a driver does not have to be drunk | | | | However, this is completely untrue. While alcohol may |
| to have his or her driving ability affected negatively. | | | | have a noticeable affect on a person's reflexes and |
| Even with low blood alcohol concentration, a driver's | | | | reaction time for a few hours, marijuana is able to |
| reaction time and reflexes can be impaired. The | | | | affect a person's concentration, perception, and |
| Federal government recognizes that there is an | | | | reaction time for up to twenty-four hours after it is |
| increased risk of injury when operators of | | | | smoked. This is much longer than alcohol. |
| 18-wheelers are inebriated. 18-wheelers, in addition to | | | | The National Transportation Board (NTB) has found |
| being large, take a long time to stop. A fully loaded | | | | that 12.5% of all fatal truck accidents involve |
| rig can take up to 3 football fields to stop. To | | | | marijuana as at minimum partial cause of the crash. |
| combat this, the legal BAC limit for truck drivers is .04 | | | | Methamphetamines |
| rather than the general .08 for drivers of ordinary | | | | In a relatively recent study, 85% of all truck drivers |
| vehicles. | | | | surveyed said that methamphetamines were easily |
| Even though the restrictions are so much more | | | | available at truck stops. Methamphetamines are useful |
| stringent, between one and three percent of all | | | | for truck drivers as they allow the drivers to stay |
| 18-wheeler accidents involve some traceable amount | | | | awake longer and move their cargo to its final |
| of alcohol. | | | | destination that much sooner. |