No one ever sets out on a fun night intending on breaking the law. However, it is very easy to receive a DUI charge when you are not careful about your alcohol consumption.
It helps to understand how alcohol affects blood alcohol content (BAC) and your driving ability. This guide explains a few important factors to consider.
Factors that contribute to DUI
Keep in mind that DUI can happen to anyone at any time. However, there are a few risk factors that make it a more likely occurrence. A study conducted in 2016 found that people between the ages of 25 and 34 had the highest risk of experiencing a fatal DUI accident. Drivers with previous DUI charges also have an increased risk, as do motorcyclists.
How alcohol affects driving ability
Every drink increases a person’s BAC even further. BAC reaches .05% after just three drinks. This causes judgment impairment, problems steering, and diminished muscle control. One more drink and BAC reaches .08%, which is the legal limit for driving. In addition to legal issues, it can also lead to loss of short-term memory and poor muscle coordination.
Three more drinks and BAC is now .15%. Muscle control decreases even further, as does vehicle control and processing of visual and auditory information. Your ability to respond to road hazards decreases, which can increase your chance of experiencing a major accident.
Fortunately, there are lots of smart steps to avoid DUI and all the problems it causes. Always designate a driver when drinking or schedule a ride-share to get home safe. You should also try to prevent friends and loved ones from driving under the influence.