If someone asked you what the legal limit for a driver was, in terms of their blood alcohol concentration (BAC), what would you say? Odds are that you would tell them the legal limit is 0.08%. When a driver takes a breath test or a chemical test, they can be arrested for breaking this limit.
If that’s the answer that you gave, you would be right for the majority of drivers. Most people do have a legal limit of 0.08%. But there are two things that are important to keep in mind here. One is that drivers can still be arrested if they’re impaired, even under the legal limit. The second is that not all drivers are bound by the same limit to begin with.
Commercial drivers
For example, commercial drivers have a limit of 0.04%, which is half of that applied to other drivers. Because these individuals are driving for a living, it’s especially important for them to watch their alcohol intake. Not only can they break the BAC limit more quickly than other drivers, but losing a commercial driver’s license (CDL) could mean that they can no longer work in their chosen industry.
Underage drivers
Another example is when drivers are under 21 years old. Many people get a license at 16, so they have to drive for five years before they are legally allowed to drink. If an underage driver tests positive for even a small amount of alcohol, such as 0.02%, they could face drunk driving charges. They may not feel impaired, but they can still be charged because it is illegal to buy or consume alcohol at all.
Are you facing DUI accusations? Take the time to consider your legal defense options carefully.