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Drunk Driving: How Drunk Is Too Drunk to Drive?

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Everyone knows that it is extremely dangerous to drink and drive.  According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), one person dies every hour in a car accident injury with a drunk driver, resulting in 10,000 fatalities every year.  Additionally, 20 people each hour are injured in car accidents with a drunk driver, including three individuals with debilitating car accident injuries.

What Are the Legal Consequences for Drunk Driving Accidents?

Consequently, legislatures throughout the country impose hefty penalties for any driver caught driving under the influence.  Here in Louisiana, according to La. R.S. 14:98, any driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeding .08 may be fined, jailed, lose driving privileges, required to utilize an ignition interlock, forced to perform community service, or compelled to participate in substance abuse or driver improvement programs.  Penalties increase depending on the level of intoxication, as well as the number of offenses.

For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185

Is the Legal BAC Level of .08 Too Drunk to Drive?

While every state in the country currently uses a BAC of .08 as the standard for legal drunkenness, some have argued that the standard is too high to prevent deaths and injuries.  As a result, the NTSB is recommending that all U.S. states reduce the BAC threshold for legal drunkenness to .05.  The NTSB believes that if the standard is lowered to .05, nearly 1,000 lives may be saved every year.

While the NTSB performs the important function of investigating and advocating on behalf of safety issues, it has no legal authority to enforce its recommendations.  Thus, it will be up to the individual states and the Department of Transportation to decide whether to lower the BAC levels.  The last time the BAC levels were lowered, from .10 to .08, implementation took 21 years.

Contact Morris Bart about Your Drunk Driving Car Accident Injuries

If you have been involved in a car accident injury with a drunk driver, please contact the personal injury attorneys at Morris Bart, LLC Attorneys at Law today.  We offer a free case evaluation with our personal injury attorneys, who will review the details of your case and advise you on the best approach to getting the compensation you deserve for your car accident injury.

Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.

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