For young people in American society, drinking is often seen as a rite of passage. As soon as someone is old enough to drink, they often receive encouragement to drink from friends, family, and co-workers. In fact, drinking remains a socially acceptable activity, almost as popular as driving among young adults. The two activities, therefore, frequently coincide on a regular basis.
Many people fail to equate having a drink or two with drunk driving. Some people think that they drive perfectly fine after having a couple of drinks, even though they experience impaired reflexes and judgements. They may also fail to understand the extent of their intoxication. Looking at previous DUI cases, a DUI lawyer says that most defendants claim having only one or two drinks..
A larger person may believe that a drink or two will not cause a reduction in his or her driving skills. Still others believe that they can handle their liquor better than most, and therefore they can drive safely after drinking. Food intake also determines how drunk a person is after just a few drinks; a lack of food in the system allows the alcohol to be more quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.
It’s always important to stay safe behind the wheel. Just a drink or two impairs the ability to drive, especially for people who haven’t eaten anything prior to drinking, who are also tired, or those who are taking prescription drugs. In these situations, it is best to take a taxi home or to let a designated driver get behind the wheel. Alcohol and driving should be kept separate.