The Dangers of Drunk Drivers in Oklahoma

Drunk drivers pose a significant threat to drivers in Oklahoma and across the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 28 people die in drunk driving accidents every day in the U.S. In 2019 alone, 10,142 people lost their lives at the hands of drunk motorists.

Furthermore, intoxicated people get behind the wheel more often than many think, about 121 million times over the last year. It is important for motorists to understand the dangers of drunk drivers so they can minimize their risk of getting involved in a deadly collision.

Blood Alcohol Content Levels

While the legal blood alcohol content limit is 0.08% in Oklahoma, studies show that even lower amounts of alcohol in the system can have a dramatic effect on people’s ability to drive, according to alcohol.org. These include the following:

• 02%: Even at this low level of intoxication, alcohol has an impact on the body and brain. People feel warm, relaxed and could make poor judgments, like getting behind the wheel.

• 05%: As the alcohol concentration grows, people begin to have more exaggerated movements. People lose control over small muscles in the body affecting their ability to focus and see clearly.

• 08%: At this higher level of intoxication, people experience a significant delay in reaction times and coordination.

The more alcohol a person consumes, the more it affects their ability to make sound decisions about whether they should drive.

Each person metabolizes alcohol differently, depending on their body mass and other physical characteristics. It is helpful for people to have a plan on how they will get home if they plan on having drinks. As their judgment becomes impaired, they already have a plan in place. Once intoxicated, people may not realize that getting behind the wheel puts others’ lives in danger.