It is a sad fact that each day nearly 30 individuals in the United States lose their life in a drunk driving accident. And, given that the time between the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday season is a prime time for drunk driving accidents, it is possible that some people in Washington State may have been added to this grim statistic. The following is a brief overview of how even a BAC below the legal limit can affect a person’s driving ability.
A BAC of 0.05
If you have a BAC of 0.05, you may have had a few drinks, but you are still below the legal limit. Does this mean you can drive safely? Probably not. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a person with a BAC of 0.05 may experience a reduction in their coordination and ability to track moving objects. They may find steering their vehicle becomes more difficult. They may also experience a reduction in their ability to respond to emergency driving situations. It is easy to see how these affects could impair one’s driving abilities, potentially leading to a motor vehicle accident.
A BAC of 0.02
If you have a BAC of 0.02, you may have only had one drink. Does this mean you are safe to drive? Sadly, perhaps not. A person with a BAC of 0.02 may find that their ability to rapidly track moving objects and their ability to do more than one task at a time is reduced. As this shows, even one drink could potentially impair a person leading to an auto accident.
Did you lose a loved one in a crash caused by a drunk driver?
Ultimately, drunk driving breaches a motorist’s duty of care. Motorists have a legal duty to drive safely under the circumstances. If they breach this duty, for example, by drunk driving, and this breach causes another person to suffer injuries or a fatality, the drunk driver may be liable for the crash. This post does not provide legal advice, so those in Seattle who lost a loved one in a drunk driving crash may want to consult with personal injury attorney so they can make informed decisions moving forward.