Drunk driving is usually not something people intend to do. They might think that they’re not over the limit or that they’re capable of driving even when they’re not.
While everyone does process alcohol differently, the truth is that any amount of alcohol in your blood can make it harder to make good decisions and more difficult to stay focused on the road. Even the impairment of only .02% or .04% can impact your ability to drive.
At different percentages, you may be more or less impaired, but the reality is that you are impaired, nonetheless. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has suggested that states actually lower their BAC limit to .05% because some people show impairment at that level. By .08%, people are showing significant signs of impairment.
How does alcohol impact your ability to drive?
When impaired by alcohol, there are some obvious signs. There are changes in the way your eyes move, slower reaction times and differences in visual perception. It’s similar to the impact of a lack of sleep.
One thing to keep in mind is that size matters. Someone who is a lighter weight may be impacted by alcohol much sooner than those who are taller or heavier. Why? They have less blood volume to dilute the alcohol. Females also take less alcohol to become impaired to the same level as men.
If you plan to drive after drinking, it’s better to put the thought out of your mind and to hire a taxi or call a ride-sharing service; That’s the only guaranteed way to avoid a DUI.
