Alcohol prohibited from trucks during down time?

I always see beer cases full of empty bottles in truck stop garbage cans. Personally I would never drink when in the truck but we clearly have some out here, to whom drinking a 12 pack and sleeping their 10 is nothing.

 

Technicalities aside as to whether it is legal or not, it's just simply an idiotic risk to take.

I've seen several drivers do this over the years as well, and I can't help thinking that I just want to get away from that particular truck as quickly as I can.

I also lost three friends to a drunk driver back in '76, so my feelings are perhaps more intense on this issue. And yes, I do enjoy a few beers while at home, but never within 24 hours of driving.

 

I do it all the time,not just on 34 hr resets.
Not all places sell beer,but if one is to be had I'll have cold "pounder" before sack time.

Be responsible and there aren't any issues,get stupid and there will be negative consequences.

 

I had a trainer back in the day who kept beer on the truck. He was very clear that I was not to drink due to company policy, which I had no problem with. And yes, he did open a beer when we were on downtime, but he never finished it. Seemed like a waste of a good beer, to open it, take two sips, and leave the rest to go flat. And he was one heck of a good trainer. Great teacher, and easy to get along with. Even went out of his way to show me some of the country when we had the time, and gave me lots of good tips on backing. Wonder what happened to him?

 

can I get a doctor's excuse for my gin & tonic to help me sleep in the sleeper??

 

I look at it this way. If you can't wait till your home time to have a beer. Then you should be checking into AA cause you have a drinking problem.

 

And the double jeopardy with a CDL is that you may be below the .08 level and not get a DUI, but if you are driving and have ANY measureable alcohol level it is a violation. So as others have said, waiting til you are home is the safest bet.

 

As an OTR driver, when you park, you ARE home.

 

WRONG, When you park for the night you are stopped for you required break. You are not home till you get back to your house or place where you take extended time off.