In 2023 there were 12,429 deaths due to drunk driving accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That equates to one person dying in a drunk driving crash every 42 minutes.
Alcohol impaired driving is incredibly dangerous, and as Utah personal injury lawyers we feel the need to emphasize just how dangerous drunk driving can be. No matter how many posts or videos we seem to see about drunk driving accidents it still does not seem to stop them. Which is why in this article we will be diving into the hard truth about the dangers of drunk driving as well as the legal repercussions that come from a drunk driving accident.
The Statistical Dangers of Drunk Driving
Driving while drunk is a horrible idea, not only is it illegal but alcohol is a depressant which means that it slows down brain activity. This is incredibly dangerous when paired with driving as alcohol will compromise your ability to judge actions properly on the road and can alter your reaction time and coordination, leading to a much higher risk of getting into a traffic accident.
The Effects of Alcohol on the Brain
The amount of alcohol concentration in your body can affect your ability to drive in a variety of ways. In most states there is a legal limit of alcohol you are allowed to have in your system if you are driving, typically around .08% grams per deciliter (g/DL), or here in Utah the legal limit is 0.05% BAC.
If you were to have a BAC of below 0.08% or 0.05% that does not mean that you should drive, in fact as Utah personal injury attorneys we would strongly advise against that. According to the NHTSA your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) will severely affect your driving in the following ways:
| Blood Alcohol Concentration in G/DL | Typical Side Effects | Effects it May Have On Driving |
| .02% | Minor loss of judgement, altered mood, relaxation | Decline in visual functions and the ability to perform two tasks at the same time |
| .05% | Exaggerated changes in behavior, chance of loss of small muscle control (focusing your eyes), impaired judgement making, lowered alertness | Reduced coordination and ability to track moving objects, difficulty steering and maintaining control of a car, reduced response time to emergency situations. |
| .08% | Muscle controls becomes very poor (loss of balance, speech, vision, reaction time, and hearing) much harder to detect danger; | Concentration, short term memory loss, control of speed, and information processing capacity are all severely reduced |
| .10 | Very clear deterioration of reaction time and control, poor coordination and slowed thinking | Ability to maintain lane position and braking reduced greatly |
| .15 | Far less muscle control, loss of balance, and vomiting may occur | Substantial impairment in vehicle control, attention to driving, and necessary visual and auditory processing |
Aside from deaths, drunk driving results in thousands of non-fatal injuries annually, and these accidents are severe. Drunk driving accident injuries typically result in long term disabilities such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damages. As a victim it is important to remember that you do not have to suffer alone from your injuries, contact a skilled Utah personal injury lawyer to fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve.
Legal Penalties for Drunk Driving
The penalties for driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated vary state to state, but all jurisdictions impose very strict measures with the hopes to deter all possible drunk drivers. In most states, a BAC of 0.08% or higher constitutes driving impaired for drivers 21 and older, but here in Utah a BAC of 0.05% constitutes impaired driving for 21 and older. A zero tolerance policy applies to all drivers under 21 years old across all of the United States.
Penalties that come from a drunk driving accident can vary in severity for a variety of reasons, based on if this is your first offense or how severe your accident may have been. For a first time offense, common penalties include fines ranging from $500 to $2,000, jail time of up to six months, and driver’s license suspension for six months to one year.
Depending on the severity, many states may install an ignition interlock device, which prevents the vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected on the driver’s breath. More severe consequences may occur depending on the severity of the DUI and the punishment can vary heavily state to state.
State Specific Measures
Each state has their own variations of laws around impaired driving and some states may be harsher than others. For example, both Alaska and Arizona enforces more severe measures against first time offenders including mandatory jail time and high fines. Other states may also enforce mandatory rehabilitation alongside the punishment.
If you are curious about Utah’s specific laws for precise details, click here to learn how Utah governs drunk driving accidents: https://justice.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021-DUI-Statutory-Overview.pdf
The dangers of drunk driving are evident, and it should be avoided at all costs. If you are planning on going out to drink, plan your night ahead of time to avoid driving while impaired. Meet with your group and discuss your night and set up alternatives such as setting someone as a designated driver, using public transportation, or utilizing a rideshare service. By planning ahead you can avoid driving drunk and potentially destroying your life and the lives of others.
What Should I Do If I am Injury By a Drunk Driver?
Getting injured by a drunk driver can leave your or a loved one severely injured and unsure of what to do next. Your vehicle may be totaled and you may have severe or life threatening injured leaving you stressed and unsure of your options, but worry not LifeLaw has you covered.
Contacting the skilled Utah personal injury lawyers at LifeLaw Personal Injury will be essential to your recovery. Our lawyers will work tirelessly to ensure that your case has been taken care of. Our team will gather evidence on your behalf, compile your medical records, and fight an insurance company to ensure that you are able to get the compensation that you deserve. At LifeLaw our Utah personal injury lawyers believe that you should feel seen or heard all throughout your case which is why our team will be in constant contact with you throughout your case.