Over the past three decades, the number of drunk driving fatalities has gone down by a third. Still, more than 10,000 people in the U.S. died in drunk driving crashes every year between 2006 and 2016. This trend is showing no signs of ending in Texas. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 30 people die each day in drunk driving accidents.
In every state, the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration is .08 grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood. Drivers who are caught with a BAC of .08 or above can face a misdemeanor or felony charge. This can mean losing a license, facing a fine or going to jail. Some states require that DUI offenders install an ignition interlock device in their car. This measures one’s BAC and only allows a sober driver to start the car.
Alcohol intoxication is known for its effect on the central nervous system. Drunk drivers may drift out of their lane, brake more slowly than others, have a harder time detecting traffic signals and suffer from memory lapses. Even drivers with a BAC of .02 will experience a slight loss of judgment and become divided in their attention. They may have trouble tracking moving objects, too.
Drunk driving is always preventable, so when it’s deemed to be the cause behind a motor vehicle crash, legal action may be warranted. In fact, injured victims who are even deemed up to 50% at fault can recover damages in this state; although, their degree of fault will naturally lower how much they recover. To ensure a strong voice during the negotiation stage, a victim may want legal representation.
