Can I Have Just One Drink and Be Safe to Drive?
In Texas, you are legally intoxicated when your blood alcohol content is 0.08% or higher. If you drive while drunk, you are breaking the law.
Even if your blood alcohol content is under 0.08%, you will break the law if you drive while you are impaired by alcohol.
So, how much alcohol can you consume and safely drive?
Does One Drink Put Me Over the Legal Limit?
Blood alcohol content (BAC) depends on many factors, including your age, your weight, your gender, the kind of alcohol you’re drinking (wine or liquor), and how much you ate before drinking.
Generally, you can calculate your approximate BAC based on your gender, your weight, and the number of drinks you had. For instance, a 180-pound man who has one drink would generally have a 0.02% BAC, whereas a 140-pound woman who has one drink would generally have a 0.03% BAC. This can change depending on the alcohol content of the drink, for instance, or your age.
One drink does not ordinarily put a person’s BAC over the legal limit for driving. However, being below the BAC legal limit does not guarantee that you are safe to drive. You still violate the law if you drive while impaired by alcohol.
Does One Drink Make Me Impaired?
The effects of alcohol vary based on your BAC, and your BAC can vary based on numerous factors. For instance, if you have a drink and your BAC is 0.02%-0.04%, you may have some loss of judgment and an altered mood. But if you have a drink and your BAC is 0.05%-0.07%, still under the legal limit, you may experience impaired judgment and lowered alertness. Even if you feel normal, an elevated BAC means alcohol is having an effect on you.
If you are pulled over for suspicion of driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas, the police may give you a field sobriety test. This is a way for them to determine whether you are impaired. The test involves coordination challenges and examination of the movement of the eyes (horizontal gaze nystagmus test). If alcohol impairs your successful completion of these tests, you will be arrested and charged with DWI.
Is One Drink One Too Many?
When it comes to driving, one drink might be one too many. As soon as you have a drink, the alcohol begins to affect you. If it impacts your reaction time and coordination, you might be involved in a car accident that results in injury or even death. Considering the potential consequences of DWI, it’s best to leave the driving to someone who is sober.
What Are the Penalties for DWI in Texas?
Texas takes a strict approach to DWI. Even a first offense results in jail time. The penalties are as follows:
First Offense
- A fine of up to $2,000
- Up to 180 days in jail, with three mandatory days
- Loss of your driver’s license for up to one year
- Annual surcharge of up to $2,000 for three years to maintain your license
- DWI intervention or education program
Second Offense
- A fine of up to $4,000
- Up to one year in jail, with mandatory one month
- Loss of your driver’s license for up to two years
- Annual surcharge of up to $2,000 for three years to maintain your license
- DWI intervention or education program
- Possible ignition interlock device
Third Offense
- A fine of up to $10,000
- Up to 10 years in state prison, with two years mandatory
- Loss of your driver’s license for up to two years
- Annual surcharge of up to $2,000 for three years to maintain your license
- DWI intervention or education program
- Possible ignition interlock device
These are the consequences of DWI if no injuries or deaths result from a collision. If an injury or death occurs, you could be facing significant prison time because of that one drink. So, you might be safe to drive after one drink, but you have to ask whether it’s worth the risk.
Contact a Texas Personal Injury Attorney If You Were Injured in a DUI Accident
If you were injured by an alcohol-impaired driver, contact a Texas personal injury lawyer for a free initial consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, loss of earnings, and other damages.
Contact the Texas Car Accident Lawyers of The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers to get a free initial consultation today our offices in Friendswood & Galveston, TX.
We serve throughout Galveston County in Texas and surrounding areas.
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers – Galveston
2101 Mechanic St. Suite 253
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 207-9299
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers – Friendswood
312 S. Friendswood Dr.
Friendswood, TX 77546
(281) 992-8633
