December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. With the holiday season upon us, this is also an opportune time to encourage people to celebrate safely. If you are going to consume alcohol during a holiday party, don’t get behind the wheel.
DUI Statistics
Drivers in the U.S. have a one-in-three chance of being in a collision with a drunk driver at some point in their lives (Source: CDC). Here in Georgia, about 26% of all fatal crashes are blamed on DUI (Source: Governor’s Office of Highway Safety). Our state’s DUI-related death rates are the highest in Georgia’s most populous areas, where there are more bars and restaurants: Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Savannah, and Valdosta.
DUI crashes tend to take place between 10:00 PM and 4:00 AM, with the majority of the intoxicated drivers being males between 21- and 34-years-old. (Source: MADD). Nationally, there are about 10,265 DUI-related deaths every year, which is one death every 51 minutes. (Source: CDC).
Blood Alcohol Concentration (B.A.C.)
One way to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk and drugged driving is to understand exactly how Blood Alcohol Concentration (B.A.C.) works and how alcohol affects the body. When a person consumes alcohol, that alcohol is absorbed through the stomach wall and small intestine. It then passes into the person’s bloodstream, where the alcohol essentially waits or collects until the liver can metabolize it. During this process, the alcohol is impairing a person’s reasoning skills and muscle coordination, which are both needed to safely operate a vehicle.
B.A.C. measures the weight of alcohol in a specific volume of a person’s blood (grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood). B.A.C. is typically measured with a breathalyzer or with a blood test. The more a person drinks, the higher their B.A.C. will be, and the more their central nervous system will be affected.
Georgia’s B.A.C. Laws
Here in Georgia, it is illegal for anyone to drive if their B.A.C. is 0.08 or higher (0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter of your blood). Georgia lawmakers set the limit at 0.08 because, medically, this is the point where a person’s brain functioning would be impaired and their risk of crashing significantly increases.
Contact the Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys at Burrow & Associates
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a dangerous crime. It not only affects the driver but also, all other drivers and passengers on the road at that time. A person convicted of DUI faces felony charges, the revocation of their license, and time in jail. Not to mention the potential for severe or even fatal injuries. If you, or someone you know, has been in an accident with a driver under the influence, please contact Burrow & Associates for help with your case. We offer free consultations. You can reach us at (678) 323-2394 or via our website.