Drunk Driving: How Your BAC Levels Affect Your Driving?

Drinking and driving can be a lethal combination. Research studies and statistics have shown us this time and time again. But have you ever wondered exactly how alcohol affects the way you drive?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 2003 and 2012, 13,138 people were killed in Texas in motor vehicle accidents involving a drunk driver. In a survey across the nation, while 1.9 percent of adults reported driving after drinking too much, that percentage went up to 2.1 percent in Texas.

A driver who’s been drinking poses a danger to all other drivers on the road. A look at the effects of blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) on driving behavior explains why. Even with a BAC of .02 percent, which is below the legal limit, drivers begin to experience a decline in both visual functioning, and also in their ability to perform two tasks at the same time.

At .08 percent, which is the legal limit, drivers experience impairments in concentration, memory, information processing capability including signal detection and visual search, and perception. They also have problems controlling their speed.

What happens at a BAC of .10 percent, which is slightly above the legal limit? Drivers experience a reduction in their ability to stay within their lanes and to brake as needed. As BAC levels increase, the effects on driving ability become more drastic. At .15 percent, drivers will be suffering from severe impairment to their ability to control their vehicles, process incoming information and pay attention to the task of driving.

After a car accident involving a drunk driver, an experienced attorney is one of the few people who will advocate for your best interests. Robert Greening is the principal attorney at Greening Law, P.C. He has dedicated his 24 years of practice to the litigation of wrongful death and serious injury cases. If you have any questions, contact Greening Law, P.C. at 972-934-8900.