In Tennessee, you are legally intoxicated if you have a blood alcohol level of at least 0.08. However, you may experience some level of impairment after consuming just a single drink. Therefore, drivers may be charged with drunk or impaired driving regardless of what their blood alcohol levels are.
You might not immediately notice that you’re impaired
One of the primary reasons that you shouldn’t drive after drinking alcohol is that you may not realize just how much it has impacted your ability to function. In many cases, having a beer or shot of liquor could significantly reduce your reaction time. Furthermore, when your blood alcohol level reaches 0.02, you may have a harder time keeping track of moving objects. Ultimately, you may be at a higher risk of being in an accident without realizing it.
What happens as your blood alcohol level approaches 0.08?
When your blood alcohol level reaches 0.05, you may start to notice a lack of coordination and ability to control small muscles. It may be difficult to steer or take evasive actions in a timely manner in an emergency situation. If you have a blood alcohol level of 0.08, you may have a hard time performing basic tasks such as standing or talking.
In addition to losing your ability to track moving objects, you may start to have trouble seeing objects at all. Furthermore, you may have trouble controlling your emotions or staying focused on what is going on outside of your vehicle. It may also be harder to judge how fast your vehicle is traveling or how close it might be to other cars, objects or pedestrians.
In most cases, it is a good idea to have someone else drive you home after consuming any amount of alcohol. If you drive yourself and then are charged with drunk or impaired driving, it may be a good idea to hire a criminal defense attorney. The attorney might be able to help you obtain a favorable outcome in your case by casting doubt on evidence such as a Breathalyzer test.
