Imbibing alcoholic drinks is a fun activity that helps you loosen up and enjoy yourself. What isn’t fun or safe is drinking and driving. Every day, dozens of lethal car crashes and road accidents happen because a drunk person gets behind the steering wheel. Even if you don’t drink a single drop of alcohol, you can still get involved in a drunk driving incident because of other drivers driving under the influence (DUI).
The federal and state governments are aware of the dangers of drinking and driving. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have laws prohibiting DUI.
States measure blood alcohol content (BAC) to determine if you violated the law on drunk driving. BAC is the percentage of alcohol in the blood circulating through your body. So if you have a BAC of 0.01, alcohol makes up 0.01 percent of your blood.
Almost all states enforce a BAC of 0.08 as the legal limit for driving under the influence of alcohol. Utah sets a stricter legal BAC of 0.05. If your blood alcohol percentage exceeds those numbers, you’re considered drunk.
Certain states also set a separate, higher legal limit on BAC. If the driver’s BAC reaches or exceeds this limit, the state imposes heavier penalties. In most states, the higher legal limit is a BAC of 0.15.
Furthermore, all states set a zero-tolerance BAC limit between 0.0 and 0.02 for minors who aren’t legally allowed to drink alcohol.
If a person is convicted of DUI, the penalties vary between states. A first-time offender might receive a ticket in some states, pay a fine in others, or end up behind bars for several days.
Additionally, most states will require ignition interlocks in all vehicles used by DUI offenders. An ignition interlock turns off the car’s ability to start its engine until the driver clears a breath test. The device has a breathalyzer for testing the driver’s BAC.
While not legally required to do so, car insurers usually raise their rates for convicted DUI offenders. It’s another way to dissuade people from driving while drunk.
You’re not the only driver on the road. Nor are you the only occupant of your vehicle. You have to watch out for drunk drivers.
Here are some recommendations on how to prevent drunk driving by other people:
The old saying “Prevention is the best cure” also applies to drunk driving. Don’t let someone who’s drunk get behind the steering wheel. Even if they look and act fine, bar them from driving if you’ve seen them drinking a lot.
If a drunk person must leave, get someone else to drive them home.
Use a rideshare app to request a ride for the inebriated person. Uber and Lyft are popular rideshare services available in many states and cities.
Alternatively, you can call a cab if rideshare services aren’t available. There’s usually a taxi cab service in the area. Flag one down for the drunk person.
You can even bring the drunk person aboard public transportation, such as buses and subways. Of course, you must ensure the person isn’t so out of it that they miss their stop.
Do you often go to events that offer alcoholic drinks? Consider investing in a BAC calculator device.
As its name indicates, a BAC calculator device measures a person’s blood alcohol content. The best-known examples are the breathalyzers employed by police. There are commercial products available, and you might want to get one if you have to determine who’s drunk and who’s not more often than not.
Remember that passing the BAC breath test doesn’t mean a person’s in the clear. Even a single drink will slightly dull most people’s minds, reducing their reaction speed. It’s better to play it safe than to end up sorry.
Drunk drivers aren’t just a danger to themselves. They also pose a risk to other people on the road or roadside–such as you. Always watch out for possible DUIs.
You can often detect a drunk driver based on the following behaviors:
What should you do if you spot a drunk driver? Get their license plate number and memorize as many critical details about their vehicle as possible, such as its model and color.
Next, take steps to make a call by stopping your car in a safe location nearby or using your phone’s hands-free call function. Ring 911 and report the drunk driver and their vehicle. Tell the operator what the drunk driver’s vehicle looks like, where you spotted it, and where it’s going.
Aside from looking out for drunk drivers, you have to watch yourself. You have to refrain from drinking a lot if you intend to drive. Here are some recommendations on how to prevent drunk driving on your end:
Are you going to an event with friends, family, or coworkers? Choose one of them to act as the sober driver. They can drive everyone home.
If no one wants to play the sober driver, persuade everyone to pool resources to hire one. Contact a designated driver service. Make sure that your designated driver doesn’t drink.
Have someone else drive you home. Use a rideshare app to request a ride or flag down a taxi cab.
Alternatively, you can use public transportation. You might not trust yourself with the steering wheel, but you should be able to board a bus or train.
It never hurts to ask, especially if you’re asking for help. Many bars offer services for patrons who want to avoid driving while drunk. You might even be able to leave your vehicle in the parking lot.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.