If you’ve never been arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) before, there’s a good chance you don’t fully understand drunk driving and the penalties for violating Texas’ DWI law. Why? Because, aside from knowing that it’s illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08%, most Texans don’t know much else about the state’s DWI laws. And we assure you, there’s more than meets the eye to the state’s DWI laws. Read on to see what you’ve been missing. Texas DWI facts at a glance:
- It’s illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription drugs in Texas and other states.
- You can get a DWI for having a BAC less than .08% as long as the state can prove that your ability to drive safely was impaired by drugs or alcohol, or both.
- You can get a DWI for being under the influence of sedating medications, such as allergy medications and sleeping pills.
- Contrary to popular belief, it’s not safe to drive under the influence of marijuana and you can get a DWI for driving after smoking pot or consuming pot-laced edibles.
- A DWI conviction means paying an annual fee up to $2,000 for three years to keep your driver license.
- Drinking coffee does NOT sober you up, nor does it reduce BAC. It only makes you a wide-awake drunk.
- Like coffee, mixing alcohol with energy drinks does nothing to reduce BAC.
- You have a “high tolerance” for alcohol, but that does not change how fast your BAC rises after drinking alcohol.
How to Prevent Drinking & Driving
Now that you know a little more about driving while intoxicated, let’s take a look at what you can do to prevent drinking and driving:
- Never let friends drive drunk. If you see an intoxicated person attempting to drive, take their keys and arrange them a safe ride home.
- Plan ahead. If you plan to drink, arrange for a designated driver, or don’t take your car and plan to call a cab or arrange for an Uber or Lyft ride.
- If you don’t plan on drinking but change your mind, figure out a safe ride home before you reach for the sauce.
- You must have a firm “no drinking and driving policy” and you must stick to it no matter what. If you don’t have a safe ride home or someone to call and pick you up, don’t get into situations where you’re drinking and have no safe, sober way to make it back home.
Next: Can I Sue the Drunk Driver Who Hit Me?
At The Zendeh Del Law Firm, PLLC, our personal injury team wants you to have fun, but don’t forget to drink responsibly. If you have been injured by a drunk driver, please contact our firm to file a claim for compensation.