All of us know that drinking and driving do not fit together. Drunk driving can lead to serious consequences, and a person has to face DUI charge for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Impaired driving is considered an offense when a driver has Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or above. Drunk driving is also called driving while intoxicated, impaired driving, or driving under the influence. One has to face high penalties if he drives with very high levels of BACs.
Listed below are five useful tips to avoid the chances of drunk driving.
1. Don’t Drink on an Empty Stomach:
When your stomach is full, your body absorbs the alcohol slowly. When your stomach is empty, and you are dehydrated and hungry, alcohol will quickly get into your bloodstream, and soon you will be hit harder. Therefore, eat a big and heavy meal before you head to a club or a party. Consume proteins, fats, dense carbs like yoghurt, meat, cheese, etc. Also, drink water during your drink session, not soda. This also helps to slow down the absorption of alcohol. Also, mix the hard alcohol with water before you drink.
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Handover Your Keys to Someone:
Handover your car keys to someone and ask him not to give you the keys back if he doesn’t find you OK to drive. If your speech, balance, and coordination are impaired, your BAC levels could be high enough to accuse you of a DUI charge. Unsteadiness and affected speech indicate that your BAC level has raised above 0.08. Hence, if you are dropping things, that means you have drunk too much, and you must not drive.
3. Wait Until You feel Sober:
Do not rush to your car immediately after an alcohol party is over. Wait until you feel sober. Take time to stabilize your body and wait until the effects diminish. Coffee, soda, shower, or chugging water will not take away the effects of alcohol immediately. One drink roughly takes an hour to bring down your BAC level. Until then, take a walk, watch a movie, or get something to eat, but do not drive until you feel normal. It’s better to stop drinking at least 90 minutes before you have to leave.
4. Opt for a Night Stay:
If you are at a friend’s house and you are heavily drunk, ask him if you can stay there for a night. Driving to home at night under the influence of alcohol and cannot be safe for your life and your legal record. Night stay is the best decision. If you are out at a bar and feeling unsteady after drinking, you should book a hotel room for a night and spend the night there.
5. Call a Cab:
The best option is to call a cab if you have to reach home. You’ll sleep in your own bed without the risk of getting caught for driving under the influence. You’ll have to go there again to pick up your car, but that’s far better than being convicted for a DUI charge. Hire a drunk driving attorney if you are facing a DUI charge.
6. Designate a Driver:
It’s better to decide who will drive you home before you start drinking. The person you choose should not be drinking. This is one of the best ways to avoid drunk driving. Your decision-making ability and brain function will slow down once you start drinking. Therefore, designate someone before you begin drinking.
