State law dictates the legal limit at which a motorist is considered to be drunk. The age of a driver and the type of license he or she holds will determine the applicable legal limit. Generally, one of the following legal limits will apply:

• The 0.02 limit is for motorists who are younger than 21 - Colorado has Zero Tolerance Laws for minors driving under the influence of alcohol.
• The 0.04 limit applies to drivers who hold commercial driver's licenses (CDLs), like commercial truck drivers - This limit is not reserved for when CDL holders are driving commercial vehicles. It also applies when CDL holders are off duty and/or driving non-commercial vehicles.
• The 0.08 limit is for motorists who hold standard (non-commercial) driver's licenses and who are at least 21 years old - At 0.05, however, these drivers can still be considered to be impaired, and they can be charged with driving while ability impaired (DWAI).

When motorists make the reckless choice to get behind the wheel when they're drunk, they threaten the safety of anyone sharing the roads with them. This is because drunk drivers generally experience:

• Perception problems - In addition to not seeing things in the traffic environment, drunk drivers can misinterpret the visual and auditory cues they do see or hear, like changing traffic lights or sirens.
• Impaired judgment - These impairments often cause drunk people to make the dangerous choice to drive when they should not. They can also contribute to drivers making reckless or unsafe maneuvers because they misjudge the location or speed of their car or other vehicles on the road.
• Slower response times - Alcohol greatly impairs the part of our brain that works with our primary motor cortex, hindering coordination and movement in addition to slowing down reaction time.

• The smell of alcohol
• Slurred speech
• An arrest or citation occurring right after the crash
• The BAC test results
• Witness statements and/or the statements of the other driver

The attorneys at the Law Office of James H. Guest, L.L.C., have vast experience successfully resolving various types of motor vehicle accidents caused by various forms of negligence and impairments, including:

• Marijuana impairment
• Driving under the influence of illicit drugs
• Negligent entrustment - cases against those who have allegedly enabled a drunk driver
• Dram shop liability - cases against bars, restaurants or other establishments that have served alcohol to drunk drivers

• Medical bills, past and future
• Lost wages
• Catastrophic injuries
• Permanent disabilities
• Pain and suffering

Known for providing comprehensive legal representation to the victims of negligence, the lawyers at the Law Office of James H. Guest, L.L.C., are dedicated to helping injured people and families secure the compensation and justice to which they are entitled.

Call or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation at our office in Denver. Get the important answers you need regarding your legal recovery options. You are not obligated to retain us if you take advantage of a free consultation. We do not charge any fees for our services if there is no recovery in your case.

1: According to findings from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)