December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving prevention month. And that makes sense: too many out-of-control holiday merrymakers get behind the wheel, unaware that their irresponsible behavior could potentially endanger the lives of those around them.
In all states including Texas, a person with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 is considered legally intoxicated. But it doesn’t take much—just a few drinks for some people depending on such factors as height, weight and gender—for the effects of alcohol to take hold. Consider the following blood alcohol facts:
- At a BAC of .02, a person experience loss of judgment and has trouble doing two tasks at the same time
- At .05, he or she will have reduced coordination, a deteriorating ability to track objects and difficulty steering
- At .08, the individual will have trouble controlling speed and have difficulty reasoning
- At .10, a person will have greatly slowed reaction times and difficulty keeping a car in one lane
- At a BAC of .15, she or she will be unable to control a vehicle
The effects of drugs—both legal and illegal—on driving are similar. Like alcohol, drugs also can impair a driver’s motor skills, reaction time and judgment and lead to equally devastating consequences.
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), alcohol and/or drugs causes 52% of all fatal accidents on Christmas and 57% on New Year’s Day. When you are on the road this holiday season, stay aware of other drivers especially at night. However, if you or a loved one is involved in a collision with a drunk and/or drugged driver, count on the attorneys at the Barrera Law Firm to help you seek the legal and financial restitution you deserve.
