Drunk driving is the leading cause for motor vehicle accidents across the nation. Hundreds of people get behind the wheel every day after they’ve had a few too many drinks. Whether due to naiveté or just plain arrogance, too many people are put at risk because of the effects of drunk driving. Here, we’ve outlined the three most serious consequences of drunk driving and why you should avoid it at any cost.
In Texas, you are legally drunk if your blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, is at or above 0.08 percent. BAC measures the amount of alcohol in your system per 100 ml of blood. After just two drinks, the average person’s system will begin to exhibit the symptoms of impaired judgment and lowered inhibitions.
This stage is commonly referred to as being “buzzed.” However, once your sense of judgment is impaired, you should not be driving. Buzzed driving is considered drunk driving.
At approximately three drinks consumed, your BAC would be between 0.06 and 0.09 percent, and your speech, balance, vision, and reaction time would all be impaired. You would also feel a sense of euphoria. The ability to make good driving decisions is out of your control at this stage, and getting into a vehicle will put yourself and other drivers you encounter at risk for injury or even death in a car wreck.
There is no such thing as a “good drunk driver.” Once you’ve been pulled over by a police officer for suspicion of drunk driving, you will face one or both of the following tests to determine your level of intoxication:
Once it’s been determined that you operated a vehicle while intoxicated, you will likely be arrested and charged with a DWI, which includes penalties such as imprisonment, community service, suspended license, intoxication assault or manslaughter charges if someone else was hurt or died in the wreck, and an increase in your auto insurance premiums. There is never a good reason to drink and then drive. Don’t take the risk.
The most important reason why drunk driving is dangerous is the risk of injury and death. Not only could you seriously harm or kill someone by driving while intoxicated, but you could also seriously injure or kill yourself. There are more than 10,000 people killed every year because of the terrible decision to drink and drive. In fact, you probably know or have heard of someone whose life has been affected by a drunk driver.
There are so many options available to people who are drunk and can’t drive. You could call a friend or family member for a ride, hire a taxi or Uber to pick you up, or even walk home. Any one of these options is better than getting behind the wheel intoxicated.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of someone else’s decision to drive while intoxicated, you should speak with a personal injury or wrongful death lawyer immediately. Your pain and grief is enough to be dealing with.
At the Colley Firm, PC, we take our clients’ needs very seriously. Our hope is to ease your suffering by handling the specifics of your claim while you begin to pick up the pieces of your life. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced tort law attorneys, call 1-877-411-2001 or fill out the form below.
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Austin, TX 78738
(512) 477-2001
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