Ohio residents are likely aware that police often use breath testing equipment to determine whether or not a motorist is impaired. However, they may not realize how even a seemingly low blood alcohol content can make a person less fit to drive. A 12 ounce beer has about the same alcohol content as a shot of liquor or a glass of wine, and any of these drinks can raise the blood alcohol level of a 200-pound man by .02 percent and a 100 pound woman by .04 percent. Drivers cross the threshold of intoxication when their blood alcohol levels reach .08 percent.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, visual functions and coordination are compromised after only one or two drinks. Individuals will also find it more difficult to concentrate on more than one task at a time. The third drink will still leave most people under the legal driving limit, but it will also slow their reactions and make it harder for them to follow moving objects. They may also have difficulty steering properly.
By the time a motorist has consumed enough alcohol to put them over the .08 percent legal limit, they will likely pose a serious threat to other road users. People with this much alcohol in their blood have a hard time judging speeds accurately and may suffer from short-term memory loss. A BAC of .10 percent makes lane discipline extremely challenging, and drivers will usually be substantially impaired when their blood alcohol levels reach .15 percent.
Drunk drivers may face civil as well as criminal sanctions when their reckless behavior causes a crash, and a personal injury attorney could file a lawsuit against them on behalf of car accident victims. When a drunk driver is killed in that accident, this litigation could be brought against the driver’s estate.