Everybody knows that you shouldn’t drink and drive, yet it is one of the most common misdemeanors all over the world. It is also true that you cannot always leave your car at home when going to social events involving consuming alcohol.
When getting charged with a DUI, the most important thing to know is to contact a DUI attorney that could get you out of this situation. Therefore, if you couldn’t help it and you drove even though you consumed alcohol, here are five tips to avoid DUIs.
Cab, Uber, or Letting Someone Else Drive
As mentioned before, there are plenty of social gatherings that require you to drive yourself there. In this case, we have some alternatives for you.
You can also take a cab or an Uber, whatever makes you more comfortable. Given the fact that Uber generated about twenty million dollars in revenues for the year 2021, we can say that it’s a trustworthy company. It is indeed a little bit more expensive. So, if you are not willing to pay someone else to drive you home, you can give some other sober but trusty person your keys, and they can drive you home.
Any effect on your speech or coordination means that your alcohol level is a tad too high. This being said, if you feel like you’re not standing straight, that is a good sign that your alcohol level is above 0.8 BAC, and you can get convicted of a DUI.
Eat Before You Drink
Plenty of people forget to consume any food in favor of alcohol. Consumption of alcohol often comes with dehydration. If you are already dehydrated and haven’t eaten anything, the alcohol will be faster absorbed into your bloodstream – thus, it will cause your alcohol level to spike.
It is well known that you can avoid getting drunk that easily if you consume a nutritious meal before you start drinking. Try eating proteins, fats, and dense carbs – for example, meat, cheese, hamburgers, fries, PB&J sandwiches, or yogurt. It is also very important to drink water after during and before your alcohol consumption session.
Know Your Body and Pace Yourself
Nobody knows you better than you know yourself – therefore, it is very important to know how much is too much. Usually, a person can metabolize about a drink per hour. But, depending on your body’s construction (weight, height, male/female), that can range.
For example, a woman weighing about 110 pounds cannot metabolize as much alcohol as a man weighing 220 pounds, and this is only a small thing to consider. Normally, you should know how much alcohol you can drink before you get drunk or pass out. To avoid a DUI, it is very important not to cross that limit.
Follow Traffic Laws
If you choose to ignore any of the “don’t drink and drive” shenanigans and still feel like you should drive after drinking, try to follow the traffic laws. Don’t speed over the limit, stop at the red traffic light, and always signal when changing the lanes.
Basically, as Ben D., Glenwood Springs DUI lawyer, puts it “drive as if you are just taking the driver’s exam”. You do not want to give an officer a reason to pull you over if you had a few more drinks. Also, keep in mind that not only are there criminal consequences when facing a DUI but there are also social ones. Therefore, your reputation might be at stake.
Stay Sober
Everybody knows that it is best not to drink and drive. If you know you are a designated driver, keep yourself away from alcohol. How hard can it be to stay away from alcohol for a few hours, or at least until you drive home safely?
It can still be a fun night out since you can laugh at everyone else who’s wasted. You will not feel the next day’s hangover on the plus side. If you want to feel included in the drinking group, you can always have a mocktail, like a Cuddles on the Beach or a Virgin Margarita. Nobody has to know there is no alcohol in there.
The Bottom Line
A DUI is no laughing matter. Most drivers think it is ok to drive after drinking, but you never know what will happen. Remember that staying sober is the easiest way to avoid a DUI.
