Drinking and Driving Facts

Drunk driving is operating a vehicle while your mental and motor skills are impaired by alcohol or drugs. Legally, this is known as driving under the influence, or DUI and is determined by measuring blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

DUIs are serious offenses and anyone facing a DUI charge in California should consult a competent DUI or car accident attorney to ensure that they understand all of the options and strategies available to them in fighting the charge and reducing their punishment.

The Dangers of Drinking and Driving

After drinking over the prescribed limit, your judgment and fine muscle coordination are impaired and a tiny lapse in attention or delay in reacting while on the roads can be deadly. Alcohol can also cause fatigue, lethargy and blurred vision in drunk drivers, and potentially dizziness or profound confusion in higher concentrations.

Analysis of traffic accidents worldwide has led experts to conclude that driving while intoxicated significantly increases the risk that a driver will be involved in a car accident, and vastly increases the likelihood of severe injuries or death when such accidents do occur. Drunk driving has become one of the main causes of death among young people, and the deaths and damages caused by driving under the influence in the US cost 52 billion dollars annually.

Drunk Driving Statistics

Some forty percent of total traffic deaths in the US stem from alcohol-related collisions, though this includes drivers with blood alcohol concentrations lower than 0.08 percent. In California, these deaths are mostly males and are more prevalent in the age group of 21-35 years. On top of this, 38 percent of drivers killed on the roads in California test positive for drugs, both legal and illegal. About one in every ten arrests nationwide is for a DUI.

Research has shown that BAC levels above the legal limit can be more than 10 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than drivers who are fully sober. The consequences of drinking and driving in the USA include one death every 51 minutes.

Driving Under the Influence in Irvine, Long Beach and Huntington Beach

California Law prohibits anyone from driving a vehicle if their BAC level is 0.08 percent or over. There are further ‘catch-all’ provisions that can apply even to lower BAC levels if the ability to drive appears to be significantly impaired. The Vehicle Code also prohibits driving while under the influence of drugs (including prescription medications) or a combination of drugs and alcohol.

Any driver found with a BAC reading of 0.08 or more will be charged and detained until sober, ten hours on average. First time offenders can face considerable fines, the suspension of their driver’s license and other discretionary penalties from the courts. Repeat convictions can face jail time, greater fines, longer suspensions and compulsory alcohol programs in addition to increased auto insurance rates. The penalties for driving under the influence of drugs can be just as severe.

The law offices of Norman G Fernandez serves clients in Irvine, Long Beach, Huntington Beach, and surrounding areas.

With years of prior experience in all kinds of personal injury cases across all of California, our exceptional attorneys are ready to advise you no matter what your claim relates to. If you have been involved in a car accident, whether or not you are at fault and whether or not you have been injured, our specialized lawyers and investigators have the background and the knowledge to assess your options and to advise you as to the best possible course of action.

Our areas of practice include:

• Car Accidents
• Automobile Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Bus Accidents
• Train Accidents
• No Fault Car Accidents
• Minor Car Accidents
• Negligence
• Physical Injuries
• Emotional Injuries

Our attorneys and investigators travel all across California to meet with clients. Our offices are based in:

• Anaheim 
• Bakersfield
• Chula Vista
• Irvine 
• Long Beach
• Los Angeles
• Riverside 
• San Bernardino
• San Diego
• Santa Ana

Related Articles:

• Car Accident Claim Time Limits
• Texting and Driving Facts
• What to do after a minor car accident

Call Us Today for Quality Legal Representation You Can Count On!

Law Offices of Norman G. Fernandez
800-816-1529
18685 Main Street #101-193 Huntington Beach, CA 92648