New California Drunk Driving Law Restricts Uber & Lyft Drivers

GET YOUR FREE CONSULTATION

Booking a Driver — Roseville, CA — Frank Penney Injury Lawyers

Read the blog from Frank Penney Injury Lawyers in Roseville, CA below.

Commencing July 1, 2018, a California DUI law will go into effect making it illegal for drivers with a blood alcohol content level of .04 percent or higher to operate a vehicle that carries a passenger for hire.

“Passenger for hire” is a legal definition meaning “a passenger for whom consideration is contributed as a condition of carriage on the vessel, whether directly or indirectly flowing to the owner, charterer, operator, agent, or any other person having an interest in the vessel.”(46 USCS § 2101).

Existing California drunk driving law already prohibits drivers of commercial vehicles from driving with a blood-alcohol level of .04 percent. (For regular drivers, the legal limit is .08 percent.) The DMV notes:

“Commercial drivers caught with a BAC of 0.04% or higher while operating a commercial vehicle can expect the following license suspension periods:

First Offense: 1 year
Second & Subsequent Offenses (in a 10-year period): Permanently

Note that these suspension periods are in addition to any fines, jail time, and DUI programs the CA DMV and court system impose.”

Uber and Lyft drivers will soon be held to the same level of accountability as a commercial truck driver.

Pick Up and Drop Off Sign — Roseville, CA — Frank Penney Injury Lawyers

Train Passengers — Roseville, CA — Frank Penney Injury Lawyers

Drunk Driving Still a Problem in Sacramento

According to California’s Office of Traffic Safety, there were 1,120 drunk driving accident victims in 2017 (the most recent year of data available). To put that in perspective, Sacramento is in the Top 10 worst cities of similar size for drinking and driving accidents in the state.

Roseville had only 20 DUI injury accidents in 2015, one of the best rates among cities of comparable size.

Why Are There Different Rules for Commercial Drivers?

Those who operate a vehicle for profit have an added responsibility to drive safely. Many more people can be injured in a chartered bus accident than a regular car, for example. And given the enormous size and weight of a big rig, commercial truck accidents can be especially traumatic.

When you hire an Uber or Lyft driver, you are trusting your safety to a stranger. It’s important that the driver be sober and focused on the road. To that end, it would be a good idea not to engage in any conversation that might distract him or her and lead to a distracted driving accident.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a commercial truck driving accident, the success of your case depends on working with an attorney who is knowledgeable about the ways that commercial injury cases differ from a regular car accident case. It is also important to consult an experienced vehicle accident attorney who is knowledgeable about the newest California DUI laws. Contact our offices for a free consultation.

Woman Inside of Auto — Roseville, CA — Frank Penney Injury Lawyers

< Older Post

Newer Post >

No Fee Guarantee!

Our legal team understands that life can be very stressful after an accident of any type. The financial costs of your accident can add to that stress. When you are asking for help, this should make your life easier – not more difficult. That is why you do not have to worry about any upfront legal fees and expenses when you hire Frank Penney Injury Lawyers to handle your California personal injury case.

At Frank Penney Injury Lawyers, Frank Penney and his staff work on a contingency basis. This means you only have to pay a fee if you win your case. We will never charge a fee unless we obtain a settlement on your behalf. No win. No fee. Case closed.

This means there is no risk in asking Frank Penney Injury Lawyers for help. You get to benefit from Frank Penney’s years of experience, knowledge, and success without needing to stress about the cost. Call today to set up a free initial case assessment or to learn more.

When I first contacted the Law Offices of Frank D. Penney after my accident, I was frustrated with car insurance companies, and medical insurance companies; after all, I was in pain. He and his staff put me at ease instantly! It was such a relief to have someone working on MY BEHALF! They were able to settle my case for more than I initially thought it was worth. THANKS AGAIN!!!

- KRISTA H.

Why Choose Us?

If You Don’t Win, You Don’t Pay
Free Case Evaluations
Over 25 Years of Experience

Compassionate and Caring
Highly Rated Reviews
Proven Track Record

24/7 Availability
Quick Response Time
And More

Our Recent Blog Posts

Tragic Collision Claims 19-Year-Old's Life: DUI Charges Filed

By Frank Penney • 22 Apr, 2024

In a devastating incident on Friday night in North County, a 19-year-old lost his life, and a man faces DUI charges following a car accident. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) swiftly responded to a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Valley Center Road and West Tribal Road in the unincorporated City of Valley Center, just before 8:20 p.m. According to CHP reports, a 19-year-old Hispanic man from Valley Center was driving a white Toyota Camry in the eastbound lane of West Tribal Road. Concurrently, a 34-year-old Hispanic man from Ranchita operated a white Ford Expedition in the southbound lane of Valley Center Road. Tragically, the vehicles collided at the intersection. Emergency services, including CHP and paramedics, rushed to the scene. Regrettably, the 19-year-old driver of the Toyota succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Ford Expedition, identified as Fernando Porras Abrego, emerged uninjured but was taken into custody. He has been booked into the Vista Detention Facility, facing multiple charges, notably driving under the influence (DUI). The investigation into this fatal crash remains ongoing, with CHP collaborating closely. The identity of the deceased 19-year-old will be disclosed by the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office, as per CHP reports. Authorities urge anyone with information or who witnessed the accident to contact the Oceanside Area CHP office at 760-643-3400. Experience unparalleled legal representation with Frank Penney Injury Lawyers , the esteemed recipients of the CAOC Trial Attorney of the Year award. With over two decades of dedicated service, our team has consistently delivered record-setting results for accident victims in Northern, Central, and Southern California. Enjoy peace of mind with our no upfront fees policy. Contact us today at 888-888-0566 or through our website www.penneylaw.com for a FREE consultation. Frank Penney Injury Lawyers does not represent any of the parties mentioned above. Nevertheless, we sympathize with the victim and their families in this time of crisi

15 Injured in Universal Studios Tram Mishap: Safety Measures Reinforced

By Frank Penney • 22 Apr, 2024

An unfortunate incident occurred Saturday evening at Universal Studios near Los Angeles, resulting in injuries to a group of amusement park visitors. The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded swiftly after receiving the call shortly after 9 p.m. PT and transported 15 patients to hospitals with minor injuries. According to the California Highway Patrol, the incident took place during a studio tour at Universal City. The tram, navigating a turn following the "Jurassic Park Cars" attraction, encountered difficulties. "Due to unknown reasons, while negotiating the turn onto Avenue M, the last car of the tram collided with a metal guardrail on the right side of the roadway causing it to tilt and eject multiple passengers from the tram," stated the agency. Fortunately, the injuries were assessed as "minor to moderate," with no involvement of drugs or alcohol suspected, as per the highway patrol. Universal Studios Hollywood confirmed the accident, stating that a tram had collided with a guardrail during a left turn. The spokesperson expressed concern for the affected guests and gratitude that the injuries were minor according to agency reports. In response to the incident, Universal Studios Hollywood emphasized their commitment to safety. "Our thoughts continue to be with the guests who were involved, and we are thankful that based on agency reports, the injuries sustained were minor," the statement read. The park assured cooperation with public agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, in investigating the incident, with safety being a paramount concern. Universal Studios has since resumed the Studio Tour with a modified route, and the park management is reinforcing operational and safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future. Experience unparalleled legal representation with Frank Penney Injury Lawyers , the esteemed recipients of the CAOC Trial Attorney of the Year award. With over two decades of dedicated service, our team has consistently delivered record-setting results for accident victims in Northern, Central, and Southern California. Enjoy peace of mind with our no upfront fees policy. Contact us today at 888-888-0566 or through our website www.penneylaw.com for a FREE consultation. Frank Penney Injury Lawyers does not represent any of the parties mentioned above. Nevertheless, we sympathize with the victim and their families in this time of crisis.

Tragic Pedestrian Accident Claims Life on Highway 101

By Frank Penney • 18 Apr, 2024

In a devastating incident on Monday night, one man lost his life in a pedestrian accident on southbound Highway 101, just south of San Bruno Avenue, occurring around 10:12 p.m. The collision involved a Hyundai Sonata and a pedestrian walking eastward in the southbound lanes. The Hyundai driver responsibly stopped and awaited emergency responders, but despite their best efforts, paramedics pronounced the male pedestrian dead at the scene. As of now, the identity of the deceased individual remains undisclosed. Emergency crews temporarily closed off the area for cleanup and initial procedures. Authorities have confirmed that intoxication was not a contributing factor in the accident. Further updates on this tragic incident will be provided as they become available. Experience unparalleled legal representation with Frank Penney Injury Lawyers , the esteemed recipients of the CAOC Trial Attorney of the Year award. With over two decades of dedicated service, our team has consistently delivered record-setting results for accident victims in Northern, Central, and Southern California. Enjoy peace of mind with our no upfront fees policy. Contact us today at 888-888-0566 or through our website www.penneylaw.com for a FREE consultation. Frank Penney Injury Lawyers does not represent any of the parties mentioned above. Nevertheless, we sympathize with the victim and their families in this time of crisi s.

24/7 Availability – Reach Us by Phone, Email, Chat and More!

If you are involved in any type of personal injury due to the fault of someone else, our experienced team at Frank Penney Injury Lawyers in Roseville, CA can help. We are available to anyone in Northern California 24/7! Give us a call today to learn more at 888-888-0566. We will fight for your rights!