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by Jeff Rasansky - November 29, 2013
Jeff Rasansky

The legal limit of blood alcohol concentration in Texas is 0.08, but could drivers be impaired even when they are legally allowed to drive after a drink or two? According to a new study, even a trace amount of alcohol can be tied to slower reactions and a greater risk of traffic accidents.

According to University of California in San Diego, even drinking a single serving of beer or a glass of wine with dinner can significantly increase a driver’s chances of being involved in a serious traffic accident. In fact, drivers who only had a blood alcohol level of 0.01 were still increasing their risk of a serious injury and accident.

The study analyzed national traffic accident data between the years 1998 and 2008. Specifically, they found that drivers with any detectable amount of alcohol in their systems were four times more likely to be seriously injured in a crash than those with zero alcohol in their system. In addition, accidents were over one-third more severe when any driver involved had consumed some amount of alcohol.

Why are drivers with legal amounts of alcohol in their systems more likely to crash even though they aren’t significantly impaired? The researchers that conducted the study believe that “buzzed” drivers could already have their decision-making abilities impaired and are more likely to decide not to buckle up, more likely to speed, and more likely to drive recklessly. They are also more likely to be distracted by passengers in the car. In addition, some believe that drivers who have only had one or two servings of alcohol may be on the road at more dangerous times – times when it is late or dark and times when more drunk drivers are on the road. Finally, fatigue may also contribute to the shocking findings.

Have you been injured in a Texas car accident that involved a driver who had alcohol in their system but was not legally drunk? Speak with a Dallas drunk driving accident attorney today about your case to learn more.

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