Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers | March 14, 2025 | Car Accidents
It is a Friday night in San Diego, and you are out with friends. You have had one drink and think, ‘I feel fine to drive.’ But is that really true?
Do not be fooled by the belief that one drink is harmless before driving. If you wonder, “Can I have just one drink and be safe to drive?” Even a single alcoholic beverage can impair your judgment and reaction time, creating an increased risk of an accident. Even if you are well below the legal limit of .08 blood alcohol content, any amount of alcohol can impair your ability to drive.
Drunk Driving in San Diego, CA
In San Diego, with its vibrant nightlife and numerous social events, the risk of drunk driving is a serious concern. While local law enforcement conducts DUI checkpoints throughout the city, drunk driving is still a concern. Alcohol impacts you in a way that is gradual and deceptive.
Even if your blood alcohol level is below the legal amount, you can still face DUI charges if law enforcement determines you were driving impaired. The safest thing to do is to avoid driving after drinking altogether. Choose alternative transportation options, such as a designated driver, public transportation, or a ride-sharing service.
Driving Impaired
Scientific studies demonstrate that alcohol negatively impacts driving ability from the consumption of the first drink. In the United States, drunk-driving crashes claim approximately 37 lives each day, equating to one death every 39 minutes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports a devastating toll of 13,524 deaths in the last reporting year, which serves as a stark reminder that these tragedies are entirely preventable.
While the degree of impairment varies based on individual factors such as gender, weight, genetics, and concurrent consumption of food or other substances, the progression of diminished driving skills is consistently observed. Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) increases with the number of drinks consumed, particularly when multiple drinks are ingested within a short timeframe, typically one hour.
The NHTSA provides this guide to understanding BAC:
- Initial Impairment (0.02% BAC – One Drink): Impacts include reduced multitasking and tracking ability. There is an increased difficulty with situational awareness (GPS, conversations, traffic).
- Increased Impairment (0.05% BAC – Two Drinks): Impacts include diminished coordination and reaction time leading to delayed responses and impaired vehicle control.
- Legal Intoxication (0.08% BAC – Three to Four Drinks): This level causes impaired perception and concentration. The dangers include difficulty with speed, lane control, and increased distraction, leading to potential traffic violations.
- Significant Impairment (0.10% BAC – Five to Six Drinks): This causes slowed information processing and leads to a reduced ability to execute basic driving maneuvers.
- Severe Impairment (0.15% BAC and Above – Six+ Drinks): This level leads to severe cognitive and sensory decline causing a loss of awareness and a potential for accidents without recognition.
Impairment begins before you experience being buzzed, affecting your judgment and reaction time without your full awareness. This creates a dangerous situation where you may believe you are safe to drive when you are not.
Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable: Securing Your Recovery and Justice
Drunk driving is a deliberate act of negligence and even recklessness, and those who cause harm must face the consequences. While criminal penalties may deter future offenses, they do not address the immediate and long-term needs of victims. Our firm is dedicated to pursuing full compensation for those injured or bereaved by drunk drivers.
If you or someone you love was injured in a San Diego drunk driving accident, you should contact a car accident attorney to help you pursue full compensation for your injuries.
Contact the Car Accident Lawyers of Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers in San Diego, CA, for Help Today
For more information, contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today.
We proudly serve San Diego County and its surrounding areas:
Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers – San Diego Office
835 5th Avenue #302, San Diego, CA 92101
(858) 551-2090
Available 24/7
Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers – La Jolla Office
4660 La Jolla Village Dr. San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 585-9031
Available 24/7
