Every person and each driving under the influence (DUI) case is different. Factors such as sex, weight, hunger, dehydration, and even elevation levels can affect how quickly you get drunk, so there is no one-size-fits-all standard for the number of drinks someone can have before getting drunk. Therefore, two drinks might be too many to drive.
Be aware of the alcohol’s effects on your body, especially if you’ve changed diets recently, or are visiting an area with a much higher elevation. You may be surprised by how much more quickly your body metabolizes the alcohol.
You Can Get Drunker as Time Passes
Another thing to keep in mind is that alcohol takes time to take effect on your body. If you drink 3 drinks in rapid succession, you might feel fine for the next 15 minutes before it all hits you at once.
In fact, your blood alcohol content (BAC) may increase even 30 or 45 minutes after your last drink. But after you’ve waited a while, you’re probably fine to drive if you’ve only had two drinks, right? No. If you’re not convinced, let’s look at the law.
You Could Be Convicted with a BAC Lower than .08%
Most of us know the .08% blood alcohol concentration standard for DUIs. However, the police can arrest you for DUI even if your BAC is lower than that.
In fact, you can be convicted of a DUI charge that can never be expunged from your record even if your BAC never measured above .08%. All it takes is for a prosecutor to prove to a jury that, beyond a reasonable, you were impaired by alcohol while driving. The consequences of a DUI conviction include jail time, fines, and potential impacts on future employment.
Buzzed Driving
Even if you’ve only had one or two drinks, you’ll be putting yourself at risk of being arrested. Even buzzed driving has been shown to increase your risk of an accident, according to a study conducted by the University of California, San Diego.
If you are accused of a DUI, you have a way to fight back. Give our experienced Daytona Beach DUI attorneys a call at (888) 785-6548 now for a free consultation for your DUI charge.