Did you lose a loved one in a drunk driving accident this past holiday season? Sadly, you are not alone. Drunk driving accidents are common in Hackensack and across the U.S., especially during the holidays. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2018 alone, 10,511 people lost their lives in a drunk driving accident.
It may be easy to assume that a person who has been drinking is not a danger unless their blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) is at or above the legal limit of 0.08. However, even having a few drinks and then getting behind the wheel can be negligent and lead to a drunk driving crash.
A BAC of 0.05
A person who only has a BAC of 0.05 may only have had two or three standard drinks. However, they may still find their coordination and ability to track moving objects has declined. Steering their vehicle may become more difficult and their ability to respond to emergency driving situations may also decline. Any of these effects could lead to a serious car crash.
A BAC of 0.02
Even if a person only has one standard drink and whose BAC is a mere 0.02 can still pose a danger to other drivers. Those with a BAC of 0.02 may find their ability to rapidly track moving objects has declined. They may also find it more difficult to divide their attention between two tasks. For some, even one drink is too many to drive safely.
Learn more about drunk driving crashes in New Jersey
Ultimately, alcohol and driving do not mix. Drinking alcohol and then getting behind the wheel breaches a motorist’s duty of care to drive safely. If this breach causes a car crash that injures or kills another person, the drunk driver may face civil liability. Our firm’s website has more information on car accidents that readers may find useful.