Memorial Day is just around the corner, and for many in Baltimore County is celebrated as the unofficial start of summer. Part of this celebration for many is having a drink or two. But, when one or two becomes four or more, the holiday may end in a catastrophic drunk driving accident. Even a couple drinks can affect a person’s driving ability.
Driving with a BAC of 0.08%
If a person’s blood alcohol concentration is 0.08%, it is easy to see why this is the legal limit and why it can lead to a drunk driving crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a person who has a BAC of 0.08% will have a hard time concentrating and can experience short-term memory loss. They may be unable to control their speed and their ability to process information will be compromised. They may also have impaired perception. Any of these factors could lead a motorist to cause a drunk driving accident.
Driving with a BAC of 0.05%
However, what if a motorist only had a couple drinks and their BAC is 0.05% — below the legal limit. Is this dangerous? It can be. A person with a BAC of 0.05% may find that their coordination and ability to track moving objects are compromised. Steering the vehicle can become more difficult, and they may find it more difficult to respond to emergency driving situations. Even a BAC as low as 0.02% can cause a decline in a person’s ability to rapidly track moving objects and execute two tasks at the same time. As this shows, a person could cause a drunk driving accident even if their BAC is below the legal limit.
Learn more about car crashes in Towson
Drunk driving accidents can cause serious injuries or even fatalities and are especially traumatic as they could have been prevented if the drunk motorist had not gone behind the wheel while inebriated. Our firm’s webpage on car accidents may be a useful resource for those who want to learn more about this important topic.
