# Can I Have Just One Drink and Be Safe To Drive in Houston? | Attorney Brian White ![Can I Have Just One Drink and Be Safe To Drive in Houston?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Can-I-Have-Just-One-Drink-and-Be-Safe-To-Drive-in-Houston-300x200.jpg) The city is vibrant on a clear Saturday evening, and you’re in the mood to make the most of it. You and your pals decide to hit the town for some fun. You drive to a favorite local bar and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Being responsible, you limit yourself to just one beer, fully aware of the serious risks associated with [drunk driving](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/dui/).  As the night draws to a close and you return to your car, a crucial question arises: “Is it safe for me to drive after one drink?” The short answer is no, it isn’t. Continue reading this blog post to learn more about the dangers of drinking and driving. ## Small Amounts Can Make a Big Difference Alcohol begins to affect your driving ability long before you feel its full effects. This subtle impairment is what makes driving post-drinking risky. While you might still feel clear-headed, your judgment and motor skills could be compromised.  In Texas, a DUI charge isn’t limited to surpassing the legal blood alcohol limit. If an officer deems that your driving is significantly impaired, you could face a DUI. The best approach is caution: make other transportation arrangements if you plan to drink. Opt for public transport, a designated driver, or a rideshare service. This way, you ensure your safety and avoid potential legal troubles. For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## Understanding the Impacts of Drinking and Driving Alcohol, even in small amounts, can seriously impact your driving abilities. It’s crucial to understand that the impairment begins with your first drink, and the effects grow with each additional one.  While factors like gender, weight, and overall health can influence how quickly you become impaired, it is dangerous to drive after consuming even just one drink. - After 1 Drink (~BAC of 0.02%): Your ability to do multiple things at once, like driving while listening to a GPS or talking, gets worse. You might not notice other cars or people as easily. - After 2 Drinks (~BAC of 0.05%): It gets harder to coordinate your movements and react quickly. Steering and responding to changes on the road, like needing to [stop suddenly](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/truck-accident-lawyer/sudden-stop-truck/), becomes more challenging. - After 3-4 Drinks (~ BAC of 0.08%): This is legally drunk. Your perception and focus suffer. Judging speed and staying in your lane becomes difficult, and you might easily get distracted. - After 5-6 Drinks (~BAC of 0.10%): Your brain processes information slower. Steering, speeding up, or braking correctly becomes much harder. - After 6+ Drinks (~BAC of 0.15%): Your ability to process information, see clearly, and coordinate movements is seriously impaired. You might not even realize what’s happening around you. It’s a common myth that one or two drinks don’t affect your driving or that some people can drive well under the influence. This belief is not only false but extremely risky. Driving after drinking puts you and others at risk. If you know someone who thinks they can drive safely after drinking, it’s vital to explain why doing so isn’t a good idea. Your conversation could save lives. ## Getting Justice for Houston Drunk Driving Accident Victims Drunk driving is always wrong. When it causes harm or, in the worst cases, takes a life, the driver must answer for their actions. This isn’t just about breaking the law; it’s about the harm they’ve done to others. Even if the law punishes the driver, that doesn’t help with the costs you face after an accident. You might have big medical bills or, if the accident was really bad, [funeral expenses](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/how-often-does-someone-die-in-a-car-accident-in-texas/) and lost income. A new [Texas law](https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/analysis/html/HB00393E.htm) requires convicted drunk drivers to pay up to 18 years of child support if they kill a parent.  Our law firm in [Houston](https://www.houstontx.gov/) has seen a lot of these cases. We hear all kinds of excuses from drunk drivers. They often try to blame someone else for what they chose to do. Our drunk driving accident lawyers in Houston understand how much you need help with these costs. But we also know that getting better or grieving is really important. So let us take care of the legal stuff. Call us any time, day or night. Talking to us for the first time won’t cost you anything. Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) --- ### About the Author Brian White ![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg) [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a [Board-Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) Personal Injury Trial Lawyer. Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and [community initiatives](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/). [Client testimonials](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/testimonials/) highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents. 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With such a large population, traffic collisions happen every [![Everything You Need to Know About the Hands-Free Law in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/iStock-1081552088-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-hands-free-law-in-texas/) [Everything You Need to Know About the Hands-Free Law in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-hands-free-law-in-texas/) If you live in Houston, you know how chaotic the bustling city can get. With so many distractions affecting motorists [![Secrets of State Farm Insurance: What You Need To Know](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Secrets-of-State-Farm-Insurance-What-You-Need-To-Know-300x177.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/secrets-of-state-farm-insurance-what-you-need-to-know/) [Secrets of State Farm Insurance: What You Need to Know](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/secrets-of-state-farm-insurance-what-you-need-to-know/) The fact that State Farm is a for-profit business means it cannot be, and has never been, a “good neighbor” – at [![Pros and Cons of Uninsured Motorist Coverage](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Pros-and-Cons-of-Uninsured-Motorist-Coverage-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-uninsured-motorist-coverage/) [Pros and Cons of Uninsured Motorist Coverage](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-uninsured-motorist-coverage/) Uninsured motorist insurance (UM) is one of the most popular optional forms of car accident insurance, and for --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/can-i-have-just-one-drink-and-be-safe-to-drive-in-houston/