Texas DWI Laws
A person who is legally intoxicated and operates a vehicle may be charged with driving while intoxicated.
Legal intoxication means:
- Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher
- Not having the normal use of mental or physical faculties
- Impairment from over the counter medications that alter your ability to operate a motor vehicle
The volume of alcohol that it takes a person to reach a BAC of .08 or higher varies from person to person. Generally two or three beers in an hour will cause someone to be above the limit. Importantly, women and smaller people are more likely to be impacted by the effects of alcohol.
It is important to recognize that a driver can be charged with a DWI for operating a vehicle other than car. Notably, the legal definition of a motor vehicle is “a device in, on, or by which a person or property is or may be transported or drawn on a highway, except a device used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks.” This definition means that operating a bicycle or golf cart with a BAC over .08 can be charged with a DWI. Texas also makes it a crime to operate a boat while legally intoxicated.
Contact Our Houston DWI Attorney Today
If you have been charged with a DWI or a minor DUI, it is important to reach out to an experienced Houston DWI attorney who can help protect your legal rights.