[email protected] | February 27, 2025 | Car Accident Lawyer Near Columbus Georgia
In Georgia, it is not illegal to drive after consuming a single drink, but any amount of alcohol that impairs your ability to operate a vehicle can result in a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charge. Georgia law allows DUI charges based on impairment, even if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is below the legal limit of 0.08%. Additionally, drivers under 21 face a zero-tolerance policy with a 0.02% BAC limit. Beyond legal consequences, even a small amount of alcohol can affect judgment and reaction time, increasing the risk of car ccidents.
What is the Legal Limit for a DUI in Georgia?
Drinking and driving is a crime in Georgia when alcohol impairs a person’s ability to operate a vehicle. The legal limit for drivers over age 21 in Georgia is 0.08% BAC and higher. For drivers under age 21, the legal limit is 0.02% BAC. Anything higher than that can result in an arrest based on the BAC. For commercial drivers in Georgia, the legal limit is 0.04%.
Even if your blood alcohol content is under the legal limit, you can still be arrested for DUI in Georgia if an officer determines your driving ability was visibly impaired. Many intoxicated drivers get behind the wheel thinking they are fine to drive, but the effects of alcohol impairment can be easily seen by others. Any amount of alcohol brings the chance not only for arrest but for an accident to happen on the road.
Even Small Amounts of Alcohol Can Increase the Risk of an Accident or DUI Arrest
Alcohol can impair a person’s judgment and physical abilities before they even know they are impaired. A driver can feel that they are sober and OK to drive but could still be affected by one or two drinks. Alcohol can also impact some people differently based on their weight, genetics, tolerance for alcohol, and food they’ve consumed. Alcoholic drinks have damaging effects on every aspect of driving – both mentally and physically.
Unfortunately, many people believe that it is safe to drive after only one drink of alcohol. According to a survey done by the American Addiction Centers, more than 65% of drivers got behind the wheel within two hours of drinking in the month the survey was conducted. The truth is that there is no safe amount of alcohol to drink before taking the wheel of a vehicle.
How Alcohol Affects the Body in Stages
Alcohol’s impact on the body becomes more noticeable with each drink consumed. However, a person’s actual impairment can come on fast and strong in certain situations. A person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) will rise as they consume more alcohol, with increased effects on a person’s thinking and motor skills.
Different amounts of alcohol might affect someone as follows:
- One Drink: BAC of about 0.02%. One drink impacts a person’s ability to multitask and keep track of moving objects ahead of them. For example, one drink can harm a driver’s ability to focus if they are checking their GPS or stereo or talking with a passenger. One drink can also make it harder to observe other vehicles, pedestrians, or bicyclists near the road.
- Two Drinks: BAC of about 0.05%. Two drinks can impact a driver’s coordination and reaction time. Difficulties swith teering, shifting, or braking can become noticeable. After two drinks, a driver might have a harder time stopping, turning, or avoiding an accident.
- Three to Four Drinks: BAC of about 0.08%. At this point, a driver can be considered legally intoxicated, with serious effects on concentration and visual perception. This can cause drivers to run red lights, change lanes without signaling, and drive erratically.
- Five to Six Drinks: BAC of about 0.10%. A driver at this level of intoxication will have a hard time processing information and visual cues. This means they’ll have trouble steering, braking, and following traffic signals.
- Six or More Drinks: BAC of about 0.15% or higher. A driver’s visual and motor skills severely decline after six or more drinks. After this many alcoholic drinks, a drunk driver is far more likely to cause a crash and hurt themselves and others.
As alcohol consumption increases, so does its effect on the body, impairing judgment, coordination, and reaction time.
Contact the Columbus Car Accident Lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm Today
Drunk driving in Columbus, GA, is a negligent act. When a drunk driver causes a vehicle accident, they should be held responsible for their actions. Georgia sets criminal penalties for those driving under the influence. Additionally, injured drivers can seek financial compensation through a personal injury claim for their losses. At Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm, we will work hard to enforce your legal rights while you focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
If you were injured in an accident in Columbus, GA, and need legal help, contact our Columbus car accident lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free case review today.
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm
233 12th St #808
Columbus, GA 31901
(706) 940-4030
