A Deadly Combination: The Dangers of Drinking and Driving

Although everyone in America knows that drunk driving is a problem, many underestimate the dangers of driving drunk and the resulting consequences. Some are unaware of the fact that a person’s driving ability can be severely impaired even without driving over the legal limit. In addition to legal consequences, a person whose driving ability is impaired can pose a real danger to other drivers and passengers.

Why is Alcohol a Problem When Driving?

Many people safely drink in moderation and operate a vehicle afterwards without causing any problems. However, even smaller amounts of alcohol can impair a person who is small in size, has low alcohol tolerance, or takes medications. People with certain medical conditions that impact their reaction time may also experience impairment.

Serious Accidents Can Carry More Severe Charges

Penalties for drunk or impaired driving are severe but are worse when serious injury or death results. A driver that is involved in a car crash that causes severe casualties may face a long jail sentence, eventual civil damages, and severe social stigma. Understanding how severe the consequences might be is something that people need to take into account before their drinking causes a tragedy.

Under the Influence or Impaired?

Many people unfamiliar with the laws don’t realize that driving under the influence and driving while impaired are two different charges. Driving under the influence, which is what most people think of when they think about drunk driving, happens when the driver has a blood alcohol level of .08% or more. However, drivers can also be charged when their BAC is .05% or more, and the alcohol impairs their driving. When this is the case, they face driving while impaired charges.

The Penalties Can Be Severe

Although driving under the influence or impaired have different criteria, both charges can similar sentencing. A DUI can carry a sentence of up to a year while DWAI can result in a 6-month sentence. A jail sentence of this length can have severe personal and financial consequences. Law firms such as Bachus & Schanker Law work with these types of cases regularly.

Consulting with a Lawyer Helps

People facing the sentences and fines associated with driving drunk would do well to consult with an attorney. A lawyer may be able to assist a person facing drunk driving charges so that they can resume living as normal a life as possible. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding a DUI or DWAI charge, seeking an attorney’s advice may make things easier.