How Different Blood Alcohol Concentrations Affect Driving

No matter what type of alcohol you prefer, drinking too much can lead to intoxication. And, if you do become intoxicated, then it is unlawful to drive; it is also extremely unsafe to operate a motor vehicle. Despite this, and even though there are several forms of public transportation, ride-sharing services, and taxis, people choose to get behind the wheel while drunk. 

Alcohol impairs one’s brain function and muscle coordination and clouds one’s thinking. Without these abilities, it is close to impossible to operate a car safely. That is why Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), which is used to measure how much alcohol is present in the blood, can dictate the level of impairment an individual has when they consume alcohol. As a result, a BAC of .08 is usually considered the legal limit for drivers because this is the point where a driver will become a hazard on the road and be an increased risk for causing an accident.

If you were injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you have legal grounds to file a claim for compensation. In Florida, the no-fault system will allow you to use your own car insurance policy to obtain compensation. However, if you suffered substantial damages, then the system makes it possible to file a claim against the driver who caused your accident. An attorney at Fulgencio Law can assist you with legal counsel and representation after a car accident in Florida.

How BAC Affects Drivers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that one person dies in a fatal alcohol-related accident every 39 minutes in the United States. Recently, the NHTSA reported that as many as 13,524 people lost their lives from drunk driving traffic accidents. Drunk driving is a considerable problem in the United States, which is why understanding how BAC impacts human behavior can be advantageous.

• At a BAC of .02 judgment is affected and the body becomes more relaxed and starts to feel warm. Visual impairment begins and one’s mood is affected.
• At a BAC of .05, the body starts feeling very good with lowered alertness and impaired judgment. Small muscle control is lessened and inhibitions are lowered. It becomes harder to track objects. Focusing and steering is more difficult.
• At a BAC of .08 muscle coordination is severely affected and visibility is greatly diminished while speech is slurred. The ability to use sound judgment, self-control, and reasoning is almost completely gone and short-term memory as well as concentration are extremely impaired.
• At a BAC of .10, there is almost no ability to think clearly. A driver would be unable to stay in a lane or brake when necessary.
• At a BAC of .15 vomiting may occur, and an inability to process information happens. A complete loss of control over the body takes place.

Call Fulgencio Law Today

Alcohol affects the body and brain even in small amounts. However, the more one consumes, the more intoxicated one becomes, and as a result, intoxicated individuals are a hazard on the road to everyone, including themselves.

If you were in a drunk driving accident, please do not hesitate to dial (813) 463-0123 to schedule a free consultation and speak with our compassionate and assertive Tampa car accident attorney at Fulgencio Law.