Drinking But Not Impaired
What is Drinking But Not Impaired?
“Drinking but not impaired” is a phrase that describes the state of having consumed alcohol but not being so impaired that one could be arrested for drunk driving. On the other hand, having any level of alcohol in your system might slow down your reaction time as well as other processes.
The primary issue at hand is determining whether or not an individual is fit to operate a motor vehicle after consuming any amount of alcoholic beverage. Because tolerance varies greatly between individuals, it is possible for someone to make risky decisions while driving, even if they are below the legal limit. Let’s take a look at the legal limit and how it relates to impairment in the following discussion.
What is the Legal Drunk Driving Limit?
The legal limit for drinking and driving in every state in the United States is a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or lower.
How quickly a person reaches the legal limit of 0.08 percent blood alcohol concentration varies on a number of factors, including their weight, height, gender, level of alcohol tolerance, and how long they have been drinking. If you weigh 210 pounds, it might take you four or five drinks to achieve 0.08, but if you weigh 120 pounds, it might only take you two or three drinks. This, however, varies from person to person, and a lot of folks consume more than what would be called a serving size.
It is essential to keep in mind that a person’s level of impairment is directly proportional to their blood alcohol content (BAC). Even a moderate amount of impairment, such as 0.05 BAC, can cause tiredness in addition to issues with memory, balance, and coordination. Even if a person’s blood alcohol concentration is below the 0.08 limit, this does not necessarily suggest that they are fit to operate a motor vehicle.
Drinking but Not Impaired, Does Not Mean Safe
It is possible for a person to consume alcohol, then get behind the wheel of a vehicle without exceeding the legal limit for drinking and driving. However, even a trace amount of alcohol might impair one’s judgment and motor skills. It is a common misunderstanding that if your BAC is below 0.08, you cannot be arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
The only BAC that is considered truly safe for driving is 0.00. In the state of Georgia, a “DUI Less Safe” charge is a possibility. When someone is “under the influence of alcohol to the extent that it is less safe” for them to drive, that person should not operate a motor vehicle or be in control of one that is in motion. This is also true for the use of pharmaceuticals.
The driver must have had a blood-alcohol concentration of between 0.05 and 0.08 for the court to be able to charge him or her with DUI Less Safe. They also need to show that this made the driver less safe while they were out on the roadways. Although it may sound less severe than a typical DUI charge, a DUI Less Safe charge is just as dangerous as the standard DUI offense.
Hit by a Drunk Driver?
Accidents on the road are caused on a daily basis by individuals who have consumed alcohol and then gotten behind the wheel of a vehicle. A common misconception is that one can drink alcohol yet still maintain sufficient cognitive function to remain safe while operating a motor vehicle. The reality is that impairment can begin very quickly after even a single drink has been consumed.
If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident that was caused by a drunk or impaired driver, you deserve to be fully compensated for your losses.
Never hesitate to contact an experienced personal injury attorney after being injured in an auto accident.
At our firm, we have an experienced team of attorneys who will work diligently to make sure you receive proper medical attention for your injuries. It is our goal to help make you whole again.
If you’d like to speak with an attorney to find out how we can best assist with your case, contact The Brown Firm for a free consultation today.
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