You don’t need another article telling you that drinking and driving don’t mix. There are plenty of billboards, TV commercials, radio PSAs, and flashing blue lights on the highway to drive that point home. But it might help to know when enough is enough, when it comes to having “one for the road.”
In the United States, it is illegal in all 50 states to operate a motor vehicle if your blood alcohol content (BAC) measures .08 or higher, assuming you are at least 21 years old. If you are younger than 21, the legal limit is determined by your state and can range from .02 to zero tolerance. Of course you could buy a handy personal breathalyzer. With prices ranging from less than $15 all the way up to more than $125, it’s not a bad investment.
While there is no one-size-fits-all formula for how much alcohol you may be able to consume and still remain within the law, here are some basic guidelines.
The amount of alcohol your body can process depends on a number of factors, including your sex, your weight, the type of drink you are consuming, and the amount of time that has lapsed. All drinks are not created equal. There is approximately the same amount of alcohol in one 5 fl. oz. glass of wine, one 12 fl. oz. beer, or one 1.5 fl. oz. shot of liquor. The rule of thumb is it takes about three drinks an hour for a 100 lb. woman to reach a .08 BAC and it takes about four drinks an hour for a 140 lb. man. It takes about an hour for your body to metabolize one drink, so keeping track of how many and what kind of drink you consume can keep you determine whether it’s okay to operate a motor vehicle.
But keep in mind that these are just guidelines. Since every person reacts differently to alcohol, it is important to know your own limits. When it doubt, for your own sake and for the sake of everyone else on the road, don’t get behind the wheel!