A night out with friends that involves alcohol is fun for a lot of people. When these happen, it’s important for everyone who drinks to ensure they have a safe way home. Some people don’t realize exactly how alcohol will affect them, however.
Alcohol in the body is measured by the blood alcohol concentration (BAC). When a person hasn’t been drinking, their BAC is .00% and it rises with alcohol consumption. As the BAC rises, the effects the person experiences will change and become more intense.
BACs under the legal limit
A BAC of only .02% can lead to slight effects, such as feeling relaxed and having an altered mood. A person with this BAC may have a change in their ability to judge. By .05%, those effects become more pronounced and the person may start to feel uninhibited.
BACs at or above the legal limit
The legal BAC limit for adults who are 21 or older is .08%. At this point, there is a change in muscle coordination and coordination. At .10%, people experience slurred speech and a reduced reaction time. All of these effects can have a negative impact on their ability to drive safely.
Perhaps worst of all, most people cannot tell how inebriated they really are. It’s been demonstrated time and again that most people gauge their sobriety relative to those around them, so that makes them a poor judge of their own ability to navigate the road.
Anyone who’s facing charges for drunk driving should ensure they understand their options for a defense against those charges. It’s important to get started on the defense quickly since some options are time-sensitive.