Drivers in Mississippi need to be aware of the legal limit. Police officers often measure a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) after a traffic stop, if they suspect impairment. If the driver is over the applicable BAC limit, the court can presume that they were impaired.
But there is not just one legal limit to watch out for. There are actually three, so it is important for drivers to know which one applies to them personally.
The overall limit: 0.08%
Generally speaking, the main legal limit that applies to the majority of drivers in the state is 0.08%. Exactly how many drinks it will take a driver to get there depends on many different factors, but it usually takes a number of drinks before they would approach this elevated BAC.
The commercial limit: 0.04%
If someone is a commercial driver, though, they need to maintain a legal limit that has been cut in half to just 0.04%. Truck drivers, bus drivers and others must be aware of this restriction.
The underage limit: 0.02%
Finally, no one in Mississippi is supposed to drink alcohol until they turn 21. Therefore, underage drivers have to adhere to a legal limit of just 0.02%. They typically should not have any alcohol in their system at all, so merely registering a positive result could put their license in jeopardy.
Your defense options
Are you facing drunk driving allegations after violating one of the legal limits listed above? If so, it is very important that you understand exactly what legal options you have at this time.
