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Drinking and driving is extremely dangerous. It can have serious consequences for the driver and for those around them. Here are some key points to know:
Impaired Driving
Even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability. In the United States (US), a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% is considered legally impaired, but lower levels can affect driving ability.
Accidents and Fatalities
Alcohol-impaired driving is a major cause of road accidents. In 2022, 13,524 people (about the seating capacity of a college basketball stadium) died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in the US. This is about 37 people each day or one person every 39 minutes In 2022, 2,337 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes where a driver had a BAC of 0.01% to 0.07%.
Young Drivers/Underage Drinking
Junior drivers are at a higher risk of alcohol-related accidents. Approximately 30% of young drivers (15 to 20 years old) killed in car crashes in 2022 had BACs of 0.01% or higher.
Repeat Offenders
A significant number of drunk drivers are repeat offenders. According to 2022 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes were three times more likely to have prior Driving While Intoxicated convictions than were drivers without alcohol in their systems at the time of the incident (6% and 2%, respectively).
Prevention
Effective measures to prevent drunk driving include strict enforcement of laws, mass media campaigns, school-based instructional programs and use of ignition interlocks for people convicted of drunk driving. An ignition interlock is a breath-test device installed in a vehicle to prevent someone from driving after drinking alcohol. It works like a breathalyzer, measuring the BAC in a person’s system. The vehicle will not start unless the driver blows into the interlock and the measured amount is below a pre-set limit, heck with your state, as some have a BAC limit of 0.0% for underage drinkers).
The information above discusses limits on specific equipment and suggestions for prevention. However, an individual must consider whether it is advisable to drive while inhibited in any way.
Dangers Associated with Different BAC Levels
A BAC of 0.08% means that for every 1,000 milliliters (about 33.81 oz) of blood, the body contains 0.08 grams of alcohol. BAC levels under this can still affect driving ability.
Here are some of the common dangers associated with driving at different BAC levels:
| BAC | Description |
| 0.02% | Some loss of judgment, altered mood, decline in visual functions and in the ability to perform two tasks at the same time. |
| 0.05% | Exaggerated behavior, difficulty steering, reduced coordination, reduced response to emergency driving situations and difficulty tracking moving objects. |
| 0.08% | Poor muscle coordination, difficulty detecting danger, short-term memory loss, diminished speed control and impaired perception. This is the legal limit in the U.S. |
| 0.10% | Clear deterioration of reaction time and control, slurred speech, poor coordination, reduced ability to maintain lane position and brake appropriately and slowed thinking. |
| 0.15% | Far less muscle control and necessary visual and auditory information processing than normal, major loss of balance, potential for vomiting and significant and substantial impairment in vehicle control and attention to driving task. |
It’s important to remember that even if your BAC is below 0.08%, your ability to drive may still be impaired. It’s always good to keep in mind that the safest strategy is to avoid drinking alcohol if you plan to drive. If you’re going to consume alcohol, plan to identify someone to serve as a designated driver, use a taxi or rideshare service, or stay overnight where you will be drinking.
