If you have a driver’s license, you’ve been told that the limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for a driver is 0.08%. Drivers who meet this level or exceed it could face DWI charges.
But does this limit apply in all situations? Are there some people who could get DWI charges even if they have a lower BAC?
Commercial drivers must abide by half the usual limits
The standard limit of 0.08% applies to the majority of drivers that you share the road with every day. However, commercial drivers have an even stricter standard, as they cannot exceed a BAC of 0.04%. This only applies when they are driving a commercial vehicle, and when they are on the clock.
There is no tolerance for underage drivers
Like many other states, there are also strict rules for underage drivers. They can face DWI charges and a potential license suspension simply for having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02%. This is so small that it basically means any driver with a detectable amount of alcohol in their system, if they’re under 21 years old and older than 15, can be given a DWI.
You can also get a DWI when under the limit
There are also situations in which you could be charged with a DWI even if your BAC is under the legal limit. This can happen if the authorities can show that you were impaired by however much alcohol you consumed, even if you hadn’t hit the statutory BAC that equates to “automatic impairment.”
If you are facing DWI charges and you’re worried about your driver’s license, your career, your reputation and your financial situation, take the time to carefully consider all of your legal defense options.