With more restaurants and bars opening up, some for the first time in a year, this means that it is possible we will see more people on the roads causing drunk driving accidents. Drunk driving is a major problem on U.S. roads and is the cause of many injuries and fatalities each year. Moreover, you do not need to have a blood-alcohol content level over the legal limit to cause a drunk driving accident.
The statistics
The statistics surrounding drunk driving accidents in the U.S. are alarming. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each day 29 individuals in the U.S. lose their lives in car accidents involving a drunk driver. In 2016 alone, 10,497 individuals died in drunk driving accidents. This amounted to 28% of all traffic fatalities in the nation that year. These statistics are sobering indeed.
What constitutes impairment?
Did you know a person can cause a drunk driving accident even if their BAC is below the legal limit of 0.08%? This is because even a few drinks can impair a person’s driving abilities. For example, a person who has consumed around three drinks may have a BAC of 0.05%. While this is below the legal limit, it can still cause a reduction in coordination and the ability to track moving objects, along with difficulty steering and reduced response time. Even a BAC as low as 0.02% can lead to a decline in visual functions and ability to perform two tasks at the same time. It is easy to see how even a small amount of alcohol can lead to impairment and a possible drunk driving accident.
Learn more about drunk driving accidents
Ultimately, this post is for educational purposes only and does not contain legal advice. Our firm’s webpage on motor vehicle accidents may be a useful resource for those who want to learn more about this topic.