How Much is Too Much?
Sometimes it can be easy to lose track of how many drinks one has had and end up not being sure if one is safe to drive, or worse, end up driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) that is above the legal limit. In Washington, the legal limit is a BAC of 0.08. Unfortunately, knowing whether you are below or above this limit can be tricky. Many individuals feel just fine and alert at a BAC of .08, while others feel very drunk. The truth is, the way you feel has little correlation with what your actual BAC is. Someone who drinks more often may simply be more accustomed to the feeling, for example.
For these reasons, it’s best to follow a single rule of thumb: if in question, don’t drive! However, there are more scientific ways of determining your BAC. For example, many companies sell miniature breathalyzers that you can keep in your car. When you get in, you can test your BAC using the breathalyzer and know for certain whether or not you can legally drive. It’s important to note, however, that these breathalyzers tend to be less accurate than the ones the police use. In general, the accuracy of DUI tests can be questionable. Nevertheless, they can give you a better idea of your current condition.
Another important factor is your weight. Someone who weighs only 100 pounds, for example, can be above the legal limit after just 2.5 drinks. On the other hand, someone who weighs 240 pounds may be able to have up to six drinks before being above the legal limit. Another contributing factor is the time spent in between drinks. If you only have one drink an hour, for example, you are unlikely to go above the legal limit – even if you have many drinks in total.
In short, what this means is that being able to tell whether you are above or below the legal limit can be rather challenging. We recommend using a mini breathalyzer as the surest way to know. Another option is to check out some BAC vs. body weight tables. These can easily be found online and are good for giving you an idea of how much you can legally drink before driving according to your body weight.
If you have been charged with DUI and need a DUI lawyer, contact the Law Offices of Daniel J. Murphy today for immediate help.
