While you may understand that getting behind the wheel of a vehicle is illegal after consuming alcohol, there are a number of people in Tennessee who continue to engage in this dangerous behavior. Surprisingly, some of these negligent motorists may believe that they are fully capable of driving when they get into their vehicle. Sadly, they may end up seriously injuring or killing an innocent person as a result of the misconception. This may leave you and other drivers in the state to wonder how much alcohol people can consume before they are considered unable to drive a vehicle.
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, even a small amount of alcohol in the blood can create a potential hazard for drivers on the road. The blood alcohol content limit in the state is 0.08 percent. However, there are some cases where a driver who has a BAC level measuring less than this amount may cause a serious drunk driving car accident. The key is that the blood alcohol level varies depending on your gender, weight, how fast you’ve consumed the alcohol and whether you have any food on your stomach.
Although a person who has a BAC level measuring 0.02 may not be charged with driving under the influence, he or she may experience a decreased ability to see moving targets. This means that a person with this BAC level may have a heightened sense of distraction when engaging in activities while driving, such as talking or texting on a cellphone.
With a BAC level of 0.05 percent, drivers might have difficulty steering or responding to a hazardous situation, such as bad weather conditions, pedestrians in the road or other reckless drivers. This level of intoxication can impair a driver’s judgement and may reduce his or her ability to focus on objects.
This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.