You’ve probably seen the public service announcements that say, “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.” Too many people, unfortunately, don’t believe that. They feel safe getting behind the wheel after a beer or two, a glass of wine or maybe even a harder drink if they had a bite to eat or some time has gone by.
The truth is that drivers can and do cause crashes even if they’re driving with less than the legal limit of .08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Any amount of alcohol affects how a person thinks, reacts and moves. Couple that with an anti-anxiety medication, antihistamine, a tiny bite of an edible or any number of other legal substances people take regularly, and you’ve got the potential for serious impairment.
The effects of alcohol appear at well below the legal limit
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), even .02% BAC can cause some judgement loss. While a person may simply feel “relaxed” at that point, that relaxation can result in a slowing of the ability to track objects and the ability to multi-task. Both, of course, are essential to safe driving and reacting to unexpected circumstances.
At .05% BAC, a person can experience additional physical changes including reduced coordination. The lowered alertness and inhibition that people feel can be fine if you’re at home after a long day at work watching TV, but not if you’re driving.
Some people are aware that they’re feeling “buzzed” after a drink or two, even if others don’t notice it. Whether it’s an extra emoji on a text, a few too many uses of the word “dude,” or a little more courage in speaking their mind, they know the subtle signs. In other cases, those around them notice the difference before the person who has been drinking does.
There can be legal consequences for buzzed driving
Too many drivers assume they can’t be arrested as long as their BAC doesn’t exceed the legal limit. That’s not the case. Typically, a person can be arrested for a drunk driving offense if they’re showing signs of impairment, even if they’re under the legal limit. Of course, if a driver causes injury or death, the charges can be far more serious.
Regardless of what charges they’re facing, anyone who has been injured by an impaired driver can take civil legal action. That’s why it’s crucial to get legal guidance as soon as possible after being hit by an impaired driver. This can help protect a victim’s rights to justice and compensation.