Drunk driving is something seen on the roads almost every day throughout the country. People may make the mistake of thinking that they’re sober enough to drive and get behind the wheel. When they do so, they’re putting their lives, and the lives of others, in danger.
It’s easy for people to make the mistake of getting behind the wheel, because alcohol lowers inhibitions. When sober, they may never plan to drive when this intoxicated, but the alcohol literally changes their perception and increases their confidence in their ability to drive.
Drinking and driving leads to around 3.3 deaths per 100,000 people in the United States each year, according to 2017 statistics. Alcohol-impaired driving also led to around 29 percent of all traffic fatalities that year.
How can you be sure if it’s safe to drive?
The only way to know for sure is to use a Breathalyzer. Even then, that only gives you a number to review. For example, you can take a breath test and know that your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .05 percent. What that doesn’t tell you is how that .05 percent of alcohol in your blood affects your driving abilities.
If you have any alcohol in your system, it’s better to stay off the roads, to call someone for a ride or to stay put. It isn’t worth the risk that you create for yourself and for others. Even with a BAC below the legal limit, there is a risk that you could be distracted or make mistakes that lead to a serious, or possibly fatal, accident.