The legal limit in Texas is very important because it defines when the government can presume that someone was impaired by alcohol that they had consumed. If they reach or exceed this limit, it can lead to a DWI arrest. As long as the initial traffic stop was legal and based upon reasonable suspicion, a failed breath test can be used as evidence in a DWI case.
Generally speaking, most drivers in Texas have a legal limit of 0.08%. Exactly how fast a person reaches this level depends on the type of alcohol they consume, how quickly they do so, their physical size and many other factors. But for adults over 21, having enough drinks to reach this threshold means that they can no longer legally operate a motor vehicle, even if they claim that they feel sober enough to do so safely.
2 groups with a lower limit
That being said, there are two specific groups of drivers who have a lower legal limit. The first group consists of commercial drivers. Their legal limit is just 0.04%.
The second group is underage drivers. Texas has strict zero-tolerance laws, setting their limit at 0.0%. Because someone under 21 cannot legally drink, the presence of any alcohol in their system could lead to DWI charges. This sometimes means that a young person who only had half a drink and does not feel impaired, for example, could still fail a breath test.
DWI defense options
A DWI can be expensive; it can lead to the loss of a driver’s license, and it can even lead to incarceration. Those facing such serious ramifications must know what defense options they have at this time.
