If you are a licensed driver in Louisiana, you must adhere to all the state’s traffic laws and driving regulations. In this state, if a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 or higher, he or she is legally intoxicated and prohibited from operating a motor vehicle. However, do you know that a vehicle on the road with an impaired driver whose BAC is below .08 could hit you? It is possible to face charges for DUI when BAC is under the legal limit.
Studies have tested driving performance in people who have consumed alcohol. Results showed that a significant portion of participants exhibited impairment behind the wheel when their BAC levels were .07. The study also showed that many of these participants were unaware of their intoxication and were confident that they were capable of safely operating a motor vehicle.
You are not responsible for preventing DUI in other drivers
The only driver whose behavior you can control is you. You are not responsible for the decisions other drivers make. However, you may suffer the consequences of another person’s negligence and irresponsible choice to drink and drive if a collision occurs, and you suffer injuries.
Psychomotor skills are skills that are relational between cognitive thought and physical movement. Alcohol can impede psychomotor functions. Not only might a drunk driver have a slower than normal reaction time at the wheel, he or she might not handle distractions as well, because alcohol reduces attention capacity.
Holding drunk drivers accountable for their actions
It may be true that people who consume alcohol show signs of impaired driving before BAC levels reach the legal limit. The fact is, no matter what a driver’s BAC happens to be at the time, if impairment exists and a collision occurs that results in injury to you or your loved one, one may seek restitution for damages.
A person who suffers injuries because of another driver’s negligence is entitled to request compensation for damages whether the other driver is facing DUI charges in court or not. A drunk driving accident may cause injuries so severe that you are unable to function without assistance. In some cases, you might not even be able to return to work. When the court rules in favor of a plaintiff in a personal injury case, the award may cover medical bills and other expenses associated with the incident.