A new study indicates that there is no safe blood alcohol content level (BAC) for those intending to drive, but 0.00. The study, led by David Phillips of the University of California San Diego, revealed that even a BAC of .01 can impair a driver’s ability. Researchers analyzed data from 570,731 fatal crashes between 1994 and 2011, compiled by the U.S. Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Phillips and his team focused primarily on crashes involving “buzzed drivers,” those with a BAC between .01 and .07, specifically those at the lower end of the spectrum. The accident reports indicated that investigators were 46% more likely to “officially and solely” assign blame to drivers with a .01 BAC over the sober drivers involved. The study concluded that there is no amount of alcohol consumption that is safe for those operating a vehicle.
Legal Limit is Dangerously High
A BAC of .01 is equivalent to one or two drinks for most people, adjusting for factors such as weight and gender. Drivers with a BAC closer to .01 are often treated similarly to sober drivers in terms of punishment for causing an accident. Although drivers can legally have a BAC of up to .08 in all 50 states, this study finds that there is no perceivable threshold of impairment between those below this level and those above it. Rather, the likelihood of causing a drunk driving car accident increases steadily in drivers with a BAC between .01 and .24.
The study’s authors strongly recommend revising current drunk driving legislation to curb buzzed driving. A BAC of .08 should not be considered a “meaningful boundary” between safe and not safe, as drivers can become impaired long before they reach that point. Phillips and his team consider even .05, which is the legal limit in over 100 countries, to be too dangerous.
Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers of Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates Help Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents
The Philadelphia car accident attorneys at Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates believe that no one should operate a vehicle while impaired. Even one drink can seriously increase a driver’s risk of causing a fatal accident. If buzzed drivers are below the legal limit, they may not be held accountable for their actions. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an accident involving a buzzed driver, an experienced auto accident attorney can help you get justice.
Our personal injury lawyers have been successfully representing auto accident victims for almost 30 years. Our knowledgeable, dedicated legal team will take the necessary steps to get you the compensation you deserve and restore your peace of mind. With offices conveniently located in Philadelphia, PA and Cherry Hill, NJ, we help accident victims throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Call us today at 215-567-6600 or contact us online for a free consultation. We answer calls 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.