Texas Accident & Injury News
Drink responsibly this New Year’s Eve
(December 30, 2022) New Year’s Eve is tomorrow, and with most of San Antonio back in full swing for the holidays, it’s set to be a night full of celebration and excitement for the coming New Year. Why spoil the fun with a DWI charge? New Year’s Eve is the worst holiday for drunk driving. Encountering drunk drivers is 116% more likely on New Year’s Eve and results in fatalities every year in San Antonio and throughout the United States. Make responsible choices a part of your New Year’s resolutions, and drink responsibly this holiday weekend.
Did you know?
A DWI charge can result in a $2000 fine, jail time for six months, or suspension of your driver’s license for up to one year.
DWI Charge Does Not Always Need a BAC Measurement
Texas has a huge problem with drunk driving, and it’s not just an everyday people problem. Councilman Clayton Perry, who was initially arrested for fleeing the scene of an accident, has been recently arrested for driving while intoxicated, according to San Antonio Express-News. Video footage from the bar the councilman was drinking at shows him consuming fourteen alcoholic beverages in four hours before colliding with another vehicle and fleeing the scene. A witness followed him to his home and reported seeing him exit the driver’s side of the vehicle, where police found him lying on the ground nearby. They didn’t report measuring his BAC, but authorities do not always rely on that kind of evidence. A prosecutor can prove a DWI case in two ways. They can show that the defendant’s BAC was over the legal limit of 0.08%, but this method is often contested in court as the BAC measurement tools can be inaccurate or unreliable. Another method a prosecutor can use is to prove that the defendant’s faculties were impaired, which is usually done through eye-witness testimony, as in this case.
How Much Can I Drink and Still Be Under the Legal Limit?
A person with a BAC of 0.08% is four times as likely to be in an accident than a sober driver, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of course, the amount of alcohol one needs to consume to reach 0.08% BAC is different for each person based on body weight, height, gender, and other factors. By rough estimation, an average 180 lbs. man can achieve a BAC of 0.08% after consuming three to four standard drinks within one hour. However, it is not recommended that you drive at all if you’ve been drinking. It’s much better to hire an Uber or to have a designated driver for this New Year’s Eve celebration.
Injuries Caused by Drunk Driving
Auto accidents that involve intoxicated drivers almost always end in serious injuries. Drunk drivers cause a majority of accidents involving traumatic brain injury (TBI) and serious spinal cord injury that occurs in the United States. A majority of accidents involving a drunk driver result in the death of one or more victims, including the driver themselves. Survivors are usually severely injured with the kinds of injuries that may never fully heal, causing life-long suffering for the victims. Drunk driving is not a joke. It can ruin your life or someone else’s. Drive sober this holiday weekend.
If you witness intoxicated drivers on the road this New Year’s Eve, report them at 800-525-5555 or call 9-1-1 if you witness an accident.
Injured in a DWI Accident?
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident involving a drunk driver, we can help — Call 800-862-1260 for a free case evaluation anytime. We look forward to serving you.