At Corso Law Group, we work with truck drivers every day. These individuals display how much hard work, time and effort it takes to obtain and maintain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and it’s not a privilege that should be given without being earned.
Recently, experienced truck drivers were taken for spin when California Department of Motor Vehicles employees were arrested for distributing fraudulent commercial driver’s license (CDL) to unauthorized truck drivers in exchange for thousands of dollars.
Without having to have passed the required tests, the drivers caused great harm and potential danger to those around them on the roads. As a result of the scandal, authorities believe that these drivers caused 23 accidents.
Luckily however, no deaths occurred due to the crashes but in corruptive bribery situations such as these, it’s crucial that law enforcement shuts down the illegal operation immediately.
Truck driver George McDonald commented on the matter for a CBS Sacramento article saying, “if you’re not properly trained to drive one, a truck, you have really no business behind it,” and we agree. These truck drivers were behind many of the largest vehicles that are operated on the roads including 18-wheelers.
Federal authorities estimate that over 100 drivers were involved in the scandal, paying up to $5,000 each for license. According to U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner, the DMV databases were illegally switched to show that the truck drivers involved had infact passed both their written and driving tests.
Besides the obvious danger this situation put the public in, it’s important to note that truck driving requirements are already extensive as is. When a truck driver receives a CDL ticket or commits any of these offenses, serious penalties can occur.
Since the scandal was uncovered, truck drivers say the public is now safe on the roads once again.
