People drink for a lot of different reasons, and sometimes, those reasons can lead to driving after having “one too many” for the road. Drunk driving isn’t just a problem in the U.S.; it happens around the world – despite the focus on prevention and rehabilitation. As much as the global fight against drunk driving may unite us, when it comes to the more unusual results of a drunk driving incident, we may also be united in the question, “how drunk did they have to be to do that?”
For instance, this video from Michigan shows a drunk driver who somehow didn’t see a problem with drinking and driving, until she was caught.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXU9iKIn5YA
Unfortunately, the woman was a Principal at an elementary school. She was also working that day, and the video states they found a bottle of vodka in her car. Perhaps she had reached the point of what is considered “Super Drunk” in many states. “Super Drunk” laws, like those in Michigan and other states, are laws that specifically target drunk drivers who drive or operate a vehicle under a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and are generally around twice the legal BAC limit of .08 or higher. Some states have additional penalties for drinking and driving with a “Super Drunk” BAC limit, including higher fines, mandatory jail time and/or car breathalyzer or ignition interlock requirements.
At a .15 BAC level, the CDC reports a person has surpassed the “slurred speech” effects of drinking too much alcohol, and is well on their way to the point of vomiting. There’s a tremendous loss of balance, as well as an extremely impaired ability to process visual and auditory information. This “Super Drunk” driver felt okay enough to go back to work where children were present, despite the drinks she had consumed. Do you think there should be ‘enhanced’ penalties in all states for anyone that reaches “Super Drunk” status and gets behind the wheel?
Andrea and Willy’s Law: West Virginia DUI Law Changes