If you regularly drive (or even ride in a vehicle), it is important to understand the different risks you face on the road. Poor weather, speeding, distractions and fatigue cause many collisions. However, alcohol is a major concern and drunk drivers are responsible for many of the collisions that occur each year.
Aside from serious injuries, many motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol result in the loss of life. It is important to understand how alcohol affects a driver’s ability and for the victims of these wrecks to thoroughly go over all of their options as they try to piece their lives back together.
Reviewing BAC levels and the impact on driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers are affected by alcohol in different ways, depending on their blood alcohol content level. For example, a BAC level of .02 often causes people to feel relaxed and have an altered mood. In fact, even a low BAC level of .02 can affect a driver’s judgment and ability to drive safely. When a driver has a BAC level of .08, their reasoning, memory, ability to notice dangers and muscle coordination is adversely affected, which affects driving in many different ways. At .15, a driver’s ability to control his or her vehicle properly is significantly impaired and many people have a substantial loss of muscle control and balance.
Reviewing the impact of drunk driving crashes
The NHTSA reports that more than 1,800 people lost their lives in alcohol-related traffic crashes over the course of 2018. Moreover, those who are able to survive a drunk driving crash are often hurt, which can affect their ability to keep working and lead to various financial hardships. Drunk driving crashes often carry a heavy mental toll as well, and it is important for victims of these accidents to focus on their recovery.
