Driving While Intoxicated

 

Driving while intoxicated is often referred to as driving under the influence. It is defined as the act of driving after one has consumed drugs and alcohol. Every state has implemented a zero tolerance policy for driving while under the influence. The legal blood alcohol content, or BAC, is 0.08 in every state.

Keep in mind there are several factors that determine how much a person has to drink in order to reach the legal blood alcohol content limit. For example, sex is one of those factors. Women will typically reach the legal blood alcohol content level before men because they are usually smaller than men.

Younger people may reach the legal blood alcohol content limit before older people. Additionally, whether or not a person has any food on their stomach affects the number of drinks it takes for him or her to become legally intoxicated. People who eat before they consume alcohol will typically get drunk more slowly.

Stricter laws have been passed in recent years in order to deter people from drinking and driving. Drinking and driving has decreased in recent years, but it is estimated that alcohol still plays a role in 40 percent of the fatal crashes that occur. Thousands of people are injured as the result of a drunk driving.

Even if you have not drank enough to reach the legal BAC limit, it is best to avoid driving if you have been drinking. Studies have shown that even small amounts of alcohol can impair driving. That is why it is best to have a designated driver. You can also take a cab home if you have been drinking.