If you’ve been driving long enough, you are aware of the dangers of drinking and driving. For decades, there have been television ads and news stories about these types of accidents and their catastrophic effects. However, these warnings have not served as an absolute deterrent to keep motorists from driving under the influence of alcohol. In fact, according to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2019 alone, 812 people died in car accidents caused by a DUI. But, what constitutes impaired driving in Texas? Which are the counties with the highest statistics? And, what are the civil and criminal penalties for driving under the influence in Texas?
Texas Drunk Driving Accident Statistics
We have a lot of things to be proud of in the Lone Star State — friendliness, Tex-Mex food, and football. But we also have a high number of car accidents caused by alcohol consumption. In rural counties, there were a total of 28,082 injured individuals as a result of these crashes. Meanwhile, urban cities saw that number rise to 65,238. These statistics include both non-incapacitating injuries as well as serious ones.
Statewide, Texas saw a total of 24,617 DUI crashes in 2019. The damages ranged from exclusively property damage to fatalities. The counties with the highest numbers of accidents were:
- Travis County, with 1,454
- Bexar County, with 2,108
- Dallas County, with 2,191
- Harris County, with 3,603
While these types of accidents have occurred at all times of the day, the peak hours tend to be from midnight to 3 AM. There’s a downward slope as the day progresses, and it starts to rise again at around 5 PM — with the vast majority of them occurring on weekends. However, there are still hundreds of accidents that occur mid-week, indicating that this is an ongoing problem across the board. The highest number of fatalities usually occur between 9 PM and 3 AM.
The ages of drivers in DUI accidents in rural areas range from 14 to 86, with most accidents occurring between the ages of 21 and 31. When it comes to urban areas, drivers also range in age from 14 to 86, with most accidents occurring between the ages of 18 to 59.
How many drinks are too many to drive in Texas?
In Texas, a person is considered to be legally intoxicated if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08 or higher. A person’s alcohol tolerance will vary depending on their height, weight, gender, the number of alcoholic beverages consumed, and whether the person has eaten enough food. Therefore, while it could take one person several beers to reach that level of intoxication, someone else may become impaired to drive with much less alcohol.
Civil and Criminal Penalties for DUI Accidents in Texas
The civil penalties for driving drunk in Texas will vary depending on the circumstances. These fines include:
- Up to $2,000 for a first offense, and a driver’s license suspension for up to a year
- Up to $4,000 for a second offense, and a license suspension for up to two years
- Up to $10,000 for a third offense, and a license suspension for up to two years
The fine can also be up to $10,000 for a first or second offense if you are driving under the influence with a child under the age of 15 as a passenger. If nobody’s under the influence but you have an open container of alcohol, the civil penalty is a fine of up to $500.
The criminal penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol in Texas also depend on whether it’s the first time you’re being pulled over or there’s a pattern of driving drunk:
- Up to 180 days in jail for a first offense
- Up to a year for a second offense
- Up to 10 years in prison for a third offense
Civil Litigation Attorneys in Texas
If you were injured in an auto accident and want to know how to move forward, the experienced attorneys at The Weycer Law Firm can help.
Discuss your case for FREE today by contacting us online or by calling (713) 668-4545.
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney/client relationship.