No two people are alike and, therefore, alcohol affects us all differently. What might be too much for one person, might not be a lot to someone else, so it is hard to say how much an individual can drink before he or she is charged with a DUI. From a purely scientific perspective, in order to hit the blood alcohol level of .08, you would need to have 80 milligrams of alcohol for every 100ml of blood. Of course, depending on the person, this could take a couple of drinks or as many as five. So how do you know when you’ve had too much? The answer to that question is highly speculative. The better question is, “when will I be investigated for DUI by law enforcement?”
Law enforcement agencies have zero tolerance for drivers who have been drinking or who appear to be on some type of drug. Therefore, ANY odor of alcohol coming from a vehicle will subject a person to a further series of questions and investigation by a law enforcement officer. The same can be said for the odor of marijuana. Prescription medications, if such information is volunteered in an answer by a driver will also subject to you to more time being spent with a law enforcement officer. So what do you do?
It is crucial to plan ahead. If you know you will be having a few drinks while out, use a ridesharing service or ride with a sober friend to ensure you have a safe way to get home at the end of the night. Officers don’t need “bad driving” to pull you over, something as simple as a broken license plate light or a cracked tail light can get you stopped.
But what if you know you are under the limit and you “feel fine?” You should also keep in mind that just because you blow under .08 on a breath test does not mean you can safely drive. In fact, you might still face charges for a DUI even if you are below the legal limit. In fact, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), men are typically able to safely drink two standard drinks to stay under .05, whereas women can drink one standard drink to stay below .05. That said, even at .05, some might experience some difficulty with coordination and mental awareness.
No one wants to drive under the influence and certainly, no one wants to experience the tragedy of being struck by a driver who has been drinking or on drugs. With some proper planning and good decision making, you can avoid all of these consequences and still enjoy a night out.
DUI Criminal Defense Attorney in Pacific County
If you are facing DUI charges, you should not hesitate to obtain skilled legal assistance to ensure your rights and freedom are protected. At Guy Glenn Law Firm, we are dedicated to fighting on behalf of our clients to ensure they are able to achieve the best possible outcome for their circumstances. You should not resign yourself to defeat and assume that you will be convicted.
Get started on protecting your rights today and call our law office at (360) 869-0088 to request a free initial case evaluation.