New California Drunk Driving Law Restricts Uber & Lyft Drivers

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

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Our Recent Blog Posts

Driver Seriously Injured in Highway 99 Crash Near Fresno Street

By Frank Penney • June 11, 2025

A driver was seriously injured Saturday evening in a crash on Highway 99 near Fresno Street, according to the California Highway Patrol. The incident occurred on the southbound shoulder of the highway, where a commercial big rig had pulled over due to mechanical issues. As the truck sat stopped on the shoulder, a Ford Taurus traveling at high speed veered onto the same shoulder and slammed into the back of the trailer. Authorities say the Taurus appeared to be driving recklessly before the collision. The impact left the car heavily damaged, and the driver—who was not wearing a seatbelt—was rushed to a local hospital with major injuries. “Our hearts go out to the injured driver,” the CHP said in a statement. “This incident serves as a stark reminder that excessive speed and reckless behavior can have devastating consequences.” The CHP is using the crash as an opportunity to remind all motorists to drive responsibly, follow traffic laws, and always wear a seatbelt. Experience unparalleled legal representation with Frank Penney Injury Law , 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.

Innocent Bystander Killed in Multi-Car Crash After Police Chase in Sacramento

By Frank Penney • June 11, 2025

A tragic series of events unfolded Saturday morning in Sacramento when a police pursuit ended in a seven-vehicle collision that killed an innocent bystander. The crash occurred at the busy intersection of Florin Road and Greenhaven Drive. The incident began around 10:15 a.m. when Sacramento police received a call from a woman requesting assistance in retrieving her belongings from a home on Farm Dale Way. She expressed concern that her former partner, a known domestic violence suspect, might be present at the residence. Officers recognized the location from a prior domestic violence call the previous weekend. At that time, the suspect, Daniel Cunningham, 33, had already fled before officers arrived. During the ongoing investigation, police developed probable cause to believe that Cunningham had committed felony domestic violence. He was also identified as a parolee at large with an outstanding warrant. On Saturday, officers located Cunningham in a vehicle, which led to a high-speed chase heading westbound on Florin Road. The pursuit ended abruptly when Cunningham’s vehicle crashed into multiple cars at the Florin and Greenhaven intersection. According to police, the pursuit was short and officers had lost visual contact with Cunningham's vehicle just prior to the collision. Following the crash, Cunningham attempted to escape on foot but was quickly apprehended with the assistance of a police K-9. He was transported to a hospital for evaluation before being booked. Tragically, the crash claimed the life of 30-year-old Huyn Huu Duc Nguyen of Elk Grove, a bystander with no connection to the suspect. Details on other possible injuries, including whether children were involved, have not yet been confirmed. Sacramento Police spokesperson Anthony Gamble stated, “Our officers had the obligation to bring this person to justice. He made the decision to run. He made the decision to drive at a high rate of speed. He put himself and everybody else’s lives in danger by his actions and he caused this collision that took the life of somebody who was not involved in this whatsoever.” The California Highway Patrol has taken over the investigation into the crash itself. Cunningham faces multiple charges including parole violation, felony domestic violence, and felony evasion. Experience unparalleled legal representation with Frank Penney Injury Law , 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.

Sacramento Woman Killed in Tragic Parking Lot Accident at Bel Air Grocery Store

By Frank Penney • June 5, 2025

A tragic accident in Sacramento claimed the life of a woman on Tuesday evening, June 3, in the parking lot of a Bel Air grocery store on Rush River Drive. Around 6 p.m., Sacramento Police responded to reports of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle. When officers arrived, they found a woman pinned between two vehicles with severe injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities later identified the victim as 36-year-old Linda Angelica Tracy, a Sacramento resident. According to police, she appears to have been the one operating her own vehicle when it accidentally struck and pinned her between another parked car. Two children were inside her vehicle at the time of the incident but were unharmed. The cause of the crash remains unclear, though investigators confirmed it was not a hit-and-run. Linda’s death has been officially classified as a motor vehicle accident by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office. Her passing has left a deep void in the lives of those who knew and loved her. In a statement released by her family, Linda was remembered as “an exceptional mother and friend, who constantly put her family and community first.” They described her as someone who never hesitated to take on difficult and thankless tasks. A dedicated Girl Scout troop leader, school fundraiser, and the kind of parent always present for games, birthdays, and play dates, Linda was known for running a tight ship at home and for her love of planning family adventures. Soft-spoken but fiercely loyal, her family said she was the kind of person you wanted in your corner during tough times, someone who would do anything to protect the people she loved. The incident remains under investigation. Experience unparalleled legal representation with Frank Penney Injury Law , 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.

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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!