There are two distinct situations involving alcohol that could lead to allegations of driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas. The first is when someone displays obvious impairment in managing their vehicle. Someone driving in an unsafe manner could face DWI charges based solely on their performance at the wheel.
The state can also charge people based on their blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Regardless of your driving performance, exceeding the legal limit for BAC can lead to criminal charges. There are actually different limits that apply to different drivers.
What are the different BAC limits in Texas?
The standard BAC limit for the typical adult driver is 0.08%. Anyone who meets or exceeds that limit could face arrest and DWI charges. However, there are two other groups of people who are subject to stricter limits on their BACs than the average driver.
Someone driving a commercial vehicle must adhere to a strict limitation of 0.04% or lower. A result of just half of what is illegal for other drivers could lead to the arrest of someone in control of a commercial truck.
Those under the age of 21 have an even stricter limit that they must meet. The zero-tolerance law for underage drivers in Texas means that a cop can arrest someone under 21 for any detectable amount of alcohol in their bloodstream.
It is illegal for drivers to exceed the permissible BAC for their age and license type, regardless of how well they continue to drive. Understanding the DWI laws in Texas can help you avoid or fight back against criminal charges.