DOT Entry Level Driver Training – Non-Driving Activities: Post-Crash Procedures

At some point, you may be involved in an accident while operating a commercial motor vehicle. Some accidents are relatively minor – you might back into another vehicle at a truck stop – while others are more serious – you might experience a rollover at highway speed. In either case, there are some basic steps you should take to prevent further damage and injury. Get your vehicle and other damaged vehicles off the roadway, if possible; assess your injuries; notify the authorities; turn on your four-way flashers and keep them on until you are able to place your warning devices; help care for the injured, if needed; assess the damage to your vehicle and cargo; contain spilled fluids; and help to put out any fires, if you have the means and training, and can do so safely. In certain cases – if there was a human fatality, for example – you must submit to post-accident drug and alcohol testing. Alcohol tests must be administered within 8 hours and drug tests within 32 hours. If you have a positive drug test result, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.02 or higher, or refuse to test, consequences range from being put out-of-service for 24 hours to losing your CDL for life. States can stipulate their own disqualifying events and longer disqualifying periods, beyond those required by the DOT.