Drunk driving is one of the most serious criminal offenses, primarily because of the risk drunk drivers pose to those with whom they share the road. While there may technically be a limit at which it is legal to drive with intoxication, the limit is so low that people would be foolish to test it. Individuals who have had even a drop of alcohol should not get behind the wheel of a vehicle.
When determining whether or not an individual is considered too drunk to be driving, states consider the individual's Blood Alcohol Content. In Tennessee, the BAC limit is 0.08, meaning that any BAC higher than that will be serious grounds for a drunk driving conviction. However, it is worth mentioning that higher BAC levels can lead to even steeper penalties. In Tennessee, BAC levels of 0.20 or higher often cross this threshold.
The unfortunate consideration about this legal limit is that some individuals may attempt to play the system, driving after drinking only a small amount in the hopes of staying below the legal limit. Just because 0.08 is the legal limit, people have different tolerance levels to alcohol, meaning that 0.07 or less could easily be enough to impair someone's driving ability, even if they cannot be legally punished for it
Driving impairments caused by alcohol intoxication can lead to serious accidents that may be fatal for those involved, which is an important distinction if such an accident should occur. Just because someone is not above the legal limit does not mean that alcohol did not contribute to an accident. If you have been involved in a car accident, it is highly recommended that you speak with an attorney. Legal counseling can investigate your case and determine if alcohol played a factor in your accident, which could lead to more compensation for your injuries.