Can I Have Just One Drink and Be Safe to Drive? 

Most people who drink alcohol might not feel impaired after just one or two drinks. While we all know drunk driving is illegal, people often wonder: Can I have just one drink and drive a vehicle in Nashville, Tennessee? The truth is that alcohol can impair drivers at any level, even if a driver is below the standard legal limit of 0.08%. Alcohol affects everyone differently, and even one drink can impair a driver and cause an accident. 

If you were injured in a drunk driving accident in Nashville, an experienced Tennessee personal injury lawyer can help. Here, we’ll discuss more about the impacts alcohol can have on drivers at different levels. 

What is the Legal Limit for a DUI in Tennessee? 

Drinking and driving is illegal in Tennessee when alcohol impairs a person’s ability to operate a vehicle. The legal limit for drivers age 21 and up in Tennessee is 0.08% BAC. Drivers with a BAC of .20% and above can face enhanced penalties, especially if they caused an accident or injury. Tennessee has a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under age 21. For those under 21, a BAC of 0.02% or higher can lead to criminal charges. For commercial drivers, such as those operating trucks and work vans,  the legal limit in Tennessee is 0.04%. 

A person whose driving is impaired by alcohol can also face a charge of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Tennessee. Impairment by alcohol is also proven to increase the chances of traffic accidents and traffic fatalities. Those who cause accidents while influence by any amount of alcohol can be found negligent in a personal injury lawsuit. 

Even One Drink Can Increase the Risk of an Accident or DUI Arrest

Alcohol can impact people after one drink, and can affect everyone differently based on several factors. A person’s weight, genetics, food consumed, and ability to tolerate alcohol can play roles in how impaired a person truly is. It is a common belief, however, that it is safe to drive after just one can of beer, a glass of wine, or a mixed drink. According to the American Addiction Centers, over 65% of drivers drove within two hours of consuming alcohol in the month before they were surveyed. While alcohol can impair drivers at any level, most drivers don’t believe it can happen to them. 

How Alcohol Affects the Body at Different Levels 

A person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) will rise with each drink consumed, with increasing damage to a person’s critical thinking and coordination. Different amounts of alcohol can affect drivers as follows:

• One Drink: BAC of about 0.02%. One drink reduces a driver’s ability to multitask and track moving objects around them. Other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists can be harder to notice after even one drink.  
• Two Drinks: BAC of about 0.05%. Two drinks can reduce coordination and reaction times. After just two drinks, drivers can be slower at stopping, steering, and avoiding car accidents. 
• Three to Four Drinks: BAC of about 0.08%. Drivers are considered legally intoxicated once they reach 0.08% BAC, which usually occurs after 3-4 drinks within a certain period of time. Drivers at this level will have problems with visual perception, causing careless and reckless driving. 
• Five to Six Drinks: BAC of about 0.10%. After 5-6 drinks, drivers will have increased difficulty following visual cues and physically responding to the environment around them. 
• Six or More Drinks: BAC of about 0.15% or higher. After six alcoholic drinks or more, a driver is at high risk of causing a crash and injuring others. Drivers at this level will also face increased criminal penalties if they are stopped by police officers. 

Alcohol can negatively impact a driver’s physical coordination, mental clarity, and visual perception. These impacts can begin with the very first drink. 

Contact Our Nashville Personal Injury Law Firm Today at Meyers Personal Injury Law  

When a drunk driver takes the wheel in Nashville, TN, and causes a vehicle accident, they can be held responsible for their negligence. Injured accident victims in Tennessee can seek financial compensation for their losses.  

If you were injured in an accident in Nashville or Brentwood, and need legal help, contact our Nashville personal injury lawyers at Meyers Personal Injury Law to schedule a free case review today.

Meyers Personal Injury Law Nashville
1308 Rosa L Parks Blvd Suite 101,
Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 258-9000

Meyers Personal Injury Law Brentwood

105 Continental Pl Suite 100,
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 258-9000