Under what circumstances can a driver be charged with DUI in Georgia?

A driver can be charged with DUI in Georgia if their ability to drive is impaired by alcohol or drugs. This standard allows law enforcement to assess impairment through various means, including visible signs of intoxication and the performance on field sobriety tests. It emphasizes that driving under the influence is not solely determined by blood alcohol content (BAC) levels but also includes any impairment caused by substance use, which can involve drugs both legal and illegal.

While it is true that a BAC level exceeding 0.08% typically serves as a legal threshold for DUI, the broader interpretation of impairment covers situations where a driver may have lower BAC levels but still demonstrate impaired driving abilities due to alcohol or drugs. This provides law enforcement with the authority to address a wider range of unsafe driving behaviors, even if they do not meet the specific BAC criteria.