Drunk driving is a serious problem in the United States, with statistics showing that 29 people are killed in the US on a daily basis in accidents that involve a drunk driver. This equates to more than death every single hour, and the cost of alcohol-connected crashes and collisions amounts to in excess of $40 billion per year.
When people drink alcohol, their motor functions can be affected in a range of ways. Decision-making abilities may become impaired, reaction times tend to be slower, and concentration levels also decrease.
All of these factors contribute to making drunk drivers very dangerous, as many of them simply aren’t able to react and respond to hazards or other road users around them as they usually would. It’s impossible to drive safely while drunk and even a single drink can impair a person’s ability to control their vehicle quite significantly.
Still, despite being well aware of the risks, a lot of people continue to drink and drive. More than a million DUI arrests are made every single year, but over 100 million American adults self-report episodes of alcohol-impaired driving annually too, which shows how big the problem is.
What Is Classed as Drunk Driving?
The exact rules around the classification of drunk driving can vary slightly from state to state. But in general, anyone who is found to be driving a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of .08% or higher can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). If the driver is a minor, a blood alcohol level of just .02% may suffice to warrant an arrest, and for commercial drivers, the level can be anywhere from .04% upwards.
What Is Blood Alcohol Concentration?
Blood alcohol concentration, also known as blood alcohol level or BAC, is the term used to describe the quantity of alcohol in a person’s blood. It can be a key piece of evidence when it comes to drunk driving cases, as it shows how drunk the person was and whether or not they were in a fit state to drive.
How Is BAC Tested?
BAC is usually tested with the aid of a breathalyzer device. Blood and urine tests may also be used to determine a person’s BAC. Before proceeding to a breath test, it’s common for officers to carry out other checks and tests to determine a driver’s sobriety.
What Are the Penalties for Drinking and Driving?
There are many possible punishments that may be handed out to people who are found to have driven while drunk. The suspension of your license is a possible and common punishment, for example.
It’s also common for drunk drivers to receive fines, as well as possible jail sentences, and many are forced to attend counseling and educational classes in order to better understand the risks of drunk driving, as well as possibly attending meetings to deal with any alcohol abuse problems they may have. As with other matters on drunk driving law, the punishments can vary from state to state.
Can Drivers Refuse Breath Tests?
This varies from state to state. It is usually within a driver’s rights to refuse a breath test, but this refusal usually gives the police cause to make an arrest and then carry out a breath test by force instead. What’s more, a refusal might also give the officers cause to suspend a driver’s license right away and could lead to harsher punishments later on, so it’s generally recommended to comply with these tests if asked to take them.
Who Is Held Liable for Drunk Driving Accidents?
If someone causes an accident while under the influence of alcohol, they will typically be held responsible for the damages caused and the associated costs, such as medical bills, rehabilitation, car repairs, emotional trauma, and so on. It is also possible, in some situations, to hold bars and restaurants liable if they served too much alcohol to someone, as explained in further detail below.
Can Bar Owners and Social Hosts Be Held Liable for Drunk Driving Incidents?
Yes, there are situations in which bar owners, workers, and hosts may be held liable in some way if accidents occur due to the alcoholic drinks they continued to serve to customers. The exact laws on this can vary across the nation from state to state. A parent, guardian, or social host who supplies alcoholic drinks to someone aged under 21 could be held liable if that minor then gets behind the wheel of a car and causes an accident.
So, for example, letting a teen drink at a family get-together or birthday party might seem like harmless fun to some, but could result in terrible consequences. When it comes to bars, several states have “dram shop laws” that can help when it comes to ascertaining whether or not bar workers and owners may be held responsible if they serve too much alcohol to a guest who later drives and gets into an accident.
What Are Dram Shop Laws?
Dram shop laws are found in many states and are focused on targeting establishments such as bars, restaurants, and clubs, or any other location where alcohol is served. The laws typically state that workers in these establishments have a responsibility to keep track of the level of drunkenness of their patrons and should not over-serve people.
The specifics of the laws can vary from location to location. In California, for example, dram shop laws only apply when bars and restaurants serve alcohol to minors. In Arizona, however, someone can be held liable for selling liquor to an adult who is obviously intoxicated and then caused injury, death, or property damage.
Final Word
It’s clear to see from the facts and figures that drunk driving accidents are a serious issue in the modern world, causing a lot of death and tragedy all across the US and other parts of the world as well. The more you know about drunk driving, the better prepared you’ll be to avoid it and deal with the consequences if it affects your life.