Can I Have Just One Drink and Be Safe to Drive?
As social gatherings and dinners often involve alcoholic beverages, many people wonder if they can have just one drink and be safe to drive. The question is especially important in Georgia, given its strict DUI laws and the consequences of impaired driving.
The Effects of “Just One Drink”
One common misconception is that a single drink does not affect your driving ability. However, alcohol can begin impairing your cognitive and motor skills even after one drink. It affects everyone differently depending on gender, body weight, food intake, and tolerance. Driving after drinking can:
- Decrease your reaction time: Even small amounts of alcohol can slow reaction time, making it difficult to respond quickly to changes on the road.
- Impair your judgment: Alcohol can affect your judgment, leading to riskier driving decisions or overestimating your driving abilities.
- Reduced your focus and concentration: Alcohol can also impair your concentration, which is essential for safe driving.
These risks begin to appear after even just one drink.
Georgia’s Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limits
The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers 21 and older in Georgia is 0.08 percent. This means that if your BAC is at or above 0.08 percent, they are considered legally impaired. The limit is stricter for commercial drivers at 0.04 percent. There is an even stricter limit for drivers under 21, which is 0.02 percent.
One drink might not push you over the 0.08 percent limit, but that does not necessarily mean you are safe to drive. A BAC lower than 0.08 percent can still impair driving ability, especially if you drink on an empty stomach or while taking certain medications. You could still face consequences if your ability to drive safely is compromised, regardless of BAC.
The Legal Risks of Driving After “Just One Drink” in Georgia
The penalties for driving under the influence are severe. You could be charged with driving under the influence even if your BAC is below 0.08 percent if a police officer believes you are impaired and unable to drive safely. Georgia law includes two relevant DUI charges:
- DUI “per se”: You can be charged with DUI “per se,” meaning you are presumed impaired if your BAC is 0.08 percent or higher.
- DUI “less safe”: You can be charged with DUI if you are deemed “less safe” to drive with a BAC of 0.08 percent. Officers may use observations such as erratic driving, slurred speech, or difficulty with coordination as grounds for this charge.
The consequences of a DUI conviction in Georgia can be severe. They include:
- Fines and fees: DUI fines in Georgia range from $300 to $5,000, depending on the severity of the offense and any prior convictions.
- License suspension: A suspension of your driver’s license suspension, which can impact your personal and professional life.
- Increased insurance rates: Increased car insurance premiums due to being considered a high-risk driver.
- Possible jail time: Jail time depends on prior convictions and the severity of the offense.
A DUI conviction also becomes part of a permanent criminal record, which may affect future employment, housing, and education opportunities.
Effects of DUI on Personal Injury Claims
Driving under the influence (DUI) can have serious legal repercussions, especially if it causes a DUI accident. Being involved in a DUI-related accident exposes the at-fault driver to criminal charges and civil liability for personal injury claims arising out of the crash. This is because driving under the influence is generally considered negligent. A drunk driver may find themselves bearing liability for various damages, including physical injury, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Injured in A Drunk Driving Accident? Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help
Even just one drink can impact your ability to drive. Even if you feel fine after a single drink, the risk of impairment is still present. The legal consequences in Georgia can be severe, particularly if it causes an accident. If you or a loved one have been in an accident involving drunk driving, contact Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free consultation with a Lawrenceville car accident lawyer.
Contact the Car Accident Law Firm of Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys in Lawrenceville for Help Today
For more information, please contact our experienced car accident lawyers at Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have a convenient location in Lawrenceville, GA.
Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys
320 S Perry St, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
(678) 446-3655