Driving while you’re intoxicated is one of the riskiest things you can do on the road. Alcohol can cause many changes in your body, and while you may believe you’re sober, the reality could be that you’re not.
Some people feel completely fine even when they’re well over the .08% limit. Others feel the effects strongly at a much lower amount. Regardless of which situation you’re in, the truth is that it’s dangerous to drive while you’re intoxicated.
It takes between 30 minutes to two hours for all alcohol you’ve had to drink to be absorbed into your blood. That’s why taking a breath sample shortly after your last drink isn’t beneficial. Instead, you need to wait 15 minutes, test, and then wait again to test a second time. With this method, you can get a better idea of your blood alcohol content (BAC) and if it is increasing or decreasing over time.
What happens when you drink alcohol?
In terms of driving, you’ll develop slower reactions, have poorer coordination and be less able to focus on the road. You may have decreased or blurry vision, too, which makes it harder for you to accurately see what’s ahead of you on the road.
With the addition of alcohol’s ability to lower your inhibitions, you may feel it’s safe to drive even though you’d know it wasn’t if you were sober. Be safe the next time you plan to drink. Get a ride or plan for someone to take you home. It’s not worth risking your license or your life.
