Earlier this week in Orange County there was a drunk driving accident that killed one and left at least 10 others injured. That is what brings us to our post today. Driving under the influence is not only dangerous for those around you, it can potentially hurt you and the passengers in your car. in that way, there is also the potential for fatalities; not unlike the accident that happened last week. Any auto accident attorney will tell you that there are no excuses for drinking and driving. Especially with services like Uber and Lyft these days. Today, we are going to go over the dangers of drinking and driving and some of the legal repercussions. If you are injured in an accident, contact a car accident attorney in our office. Consultations are free!
Auto Accident Attorney | Drinking and Driving
Alcohol related crashes are still on the rise. That being said, drunk driving crashes kill roughly 10,000 people per year in the United States. Despite all the warnings and even the services available to everyone while they are out drinking, some still choose to get behind the wheel. Below, we are going to go over the dangers of drinking and driving. Not only the danger you present yourself, but to others as well.
How Dangerous Is It?
You may think that your driving skills are not affected by alcohol, but you could not be more wrong. for instance, someone with a blood alcohol level (BAC) of 0.08 more higher is seven times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident. the more you drink, the more likely it is that you will be in an accident. Now, we also want to make it clear that drinking while buzzed is still driving under the influence. Your reflexes are greatly impaired even after a drink or two.
Likelihood of An Accident
The likelihood of an accident at below 0.08 BAC is actually greater than people think. for example, a 160-pound person who drinks two 12-ounce beers within the hour will likely have a BAC of 0.02. Which is clearly below the legal limit. However, that person with the 0.02 BAC is 1.4 times more likely to get into an accident than someone who is sober. Now, that may not seem like much. However, in this instance, it can mean the actual difference of life and death. One of the drawbacks of this is that it sends the message that if you are not legally drunk, it is okay for you to drive.
Scientific studies have shown that some of the skills needed to drive safely begin to deteriorate even at the 0.02 BAC. Drivers in this study said that they experienced a decline in their ability to track a moving object and experienced a decline in the ability to multitask.
Slow Reaction Times
Did you know that any amount, yes any, amount of alcohol in your bloodstream can impact your judgment and reaction time when driving. Safe driving requires the ability to concentrate, make good judgments, and have the ability to quickly react to any situation. However, the affects that alcohol has on the body has the potential to put yourself and others in danger.
Lack of coordination with your motor skills such as eye, hand and foot coordination are all impaired. Without these crucial skills, you may be unable to avoid a potentially harmful situation.
Reduce Concentration
As stated above, no matter how much or how little alcohol you consume, it can influence your concentration and reaction times. Even if you are driving completely sober, you are required to give your undivided attention to staying in your lane, your speed, other cars on the road, and traffic signs and weather conditions. When you are drinking, your attention span is dramatically reduced. Which means that your chances of being in an accident and being injured or injuring others greatly increases when you are drinking.
Car Accident Attorney | Legal Repercussions of Drunk Driving
If you are arrested and charged for driving under the influence, the state of California will prosecute you accordingly. the first offense typically results in the loss of your license for 1 year. Further, you will have to go through federally mandated outpatient alcohol abuse program and probation. People who have multiple offenses will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. However, if you are responsible for the death of someone in a drunk driving accident, whether it is your first or second, you will be charged with vehicular manslaughter.
Contact Us Today!
If you have been injured in an accident, contact us to discuss your case. Being injured in an accident because of a drunk driver, is never your fault. and you deserve to be compensated for the injuries another person subjected you to. Consultations with an auto accident attorney in our office are free.
