GET YOUR FREE CONSULTATION

New California Drunk Driving Law Restricts Uber & Lyft Drivers

Frank • Mar 21, 2018
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

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.


Read more client testimonials.

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

By Frank Penney 09 May, 2024
Tragedy struck on Wednesday afternoon as one person lost their life in a three-vehicle accident on the 215 Freeway in San Bernardino. The incident occurred at approximately 1:23 p.m. beneath the 210 Freeway on the southbound lanes of I-215. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the collision involved a box truck, a white Nissan Frontier pickup truck, and an unidentified vehicle. The CHP's traffic log indicated that both the pickup truck and the unidentified vehicle collided with the box truck at freeway speeds, though the exact reasons remain unknown.  CHP officers and firefighters from the San Bernardino County Fire Department swiftly responded to the scene. The traffic log revealed that the driver of the white truck was unresponsive, while the passenger struggled to breathe, both trapped within the wreckage. Efforts to aid the injured were made by firefighters on-site. Tragically, the driver was pronounced deceased at the scene, while the passenger was transported to a local hospital with injuries undisclosed at this time. Fortunately, there were no additional reported injuries. Further details regarding the incident were scarce at the time of reporting. The California Highway Patrol, Inland Office, will undertake an investigation into this tragic event. 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.
By Frank Penney 09 May, 2024
A significant fire engulfed a semi-truck on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, generating dense columns of black smoke and leading to substantial traffic congestion. The incident occurred on the southbound lanes of the 5, close to Roxford Street in the Sylmar/Granada Hills vicinity, around 12:20 p.m. on Wednesday. Initial reports suggest that the semi-truck collided with another large vehicle, resulting in immediate ignition. The Los Angeles Fire Department stated that one male driver managed to escape from the burning cabin, with passing motorists stepping in to help extinguish flames on his clothes and body. Sky5 reporter Rich Prickett observed that the driver sustained severe burns. Emergency services swiftly transported the driver to a nearby trauma center, noting the critical nature of his burns. Firefighters grappled with the inferno for nearly 40 minutes until it was finally brought under control. Unfortunately, the semi-truck, laden with meat cargo, suffered irreparable damage. Hazardous materials teams spent the afternoon addressing fuel and oil spills on the truck route. The crash and subsequent fire brought southbound traffic to a standstill, stretching from the Newhall Pass and casting visibility across the entire San Fernando Valley. Despite the extensive impact, authorities have yet to disclose the official cause of the accident. 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.
By Frank Penney 08 May, 2024
Adam Andrew Garza, aged 26, tragically lost his life in a motorcycle collision on McKinley Avenue in Fresno. The incident, involving two vehicles, occurred around 1:00 p.m. near Effie Street, close to Blackstone Avenue, as reported by Fox 26 News. Garza, riding a Yamaha Sport Bike, was traveling east on McKinley Avenue when a large black pickup truck, heading northbound on Effie Street, pulled out in front of the motorcycle. Bystanders and witnesses rushed to aid the injured motorcyclist until paramedics arrived. Despite efforts, Garza succumbed to his injuries after being transported to the hospital. The driver of the pickup truck stopped at the scene and cooperated fully with law enforcement and the ongoing investigation. An ongoing investigation seeks to uncover additional details surrounding the incident. 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.
Show More

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!

No matter where you are in Northern California, or how you reach us, we will be there for you 24/7!

You Can Bank on Frank!

Business Ad — Roseville, CA — Frank Penney Injury Lawyers
No Risk, No Fees, Guaranteed — Roseville, CA — Frank Penney Injury Lawyers
Share by: