When people picture an intoxicated or drunk driver, the image that comes to mind is a staggering incoherent individual who is not in their right senses. However, this is not always the case.
You may appear perfectly normal and sober, yet your blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) levels are above the 0.08% legal threshold. Similarly, you could be visibly drunk, but your BAC level is below the 0.08% mark. In both instances, you could face DUI charges.
So how much alcohol is too much? Here is what you need to know before having one for the road.
It depends on several things
The answer is not so straightforward. First, alcoholic drinks are different, and the type of drink you take matters. Beer has a lower alcohol percentage than hard liquor such as brandy or vodka.
Secondly, factors like your water intake as you drink alcohol, whether you are drinking on an empty stomach or under certain medication could weigh in.
Finally, individual traits such as your age, sex, body size and composition determine the amount required for you to get drunk. For instance, a person with a small body will register higher BAC levels than a heavily built individual after consuming a similar amount of alcohol.
BAC tests can be wrong
Even if your BAC levels indicate that you are past the legal limit, your DUI charge is not an open and shut case. The results from a breathalyzer test are not always accurate.
Should external factors beyond your alcohol levels influence your breathalyzer test results, the BAC reading obtained may not be used in your case. You could see your charges reduced or entirely dismissed, given that the prosecution will find it hard to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. With experienced legal guidance, you can explore all of your defense options.