There are many times when people are at increased risk of driving under the influence (DUI) charges. After major events, including college sporting events and concerts, police often patrol the roads more assertively, looking for intoxicated people. Weekends, major holidays and late nights when the bars close are also top DUI enforcement times.
Additionally, police officers may watch extra carefully for signs of intoxicated motorists during the afternoon rush hour. Many professionals stop off for a drink during happy hour. That decision could put them at increased risk of a DUI charge.
Why does a drink after work carry more risk than a drink while out for dinner with others?
The time that has passed since lunch
By the time people leave work for the day, they may have gone four or five hours since their lunch break. Many professionals do not snack at work. They may have an empty stomach on their commute home. Alcohol tends to enter the bloodstream more rapidly when there is no food in the stomach to absorb the alcohol. Additionally, people may experience an increase in perceived impairments from even a single drink if they have not eaten recently.
Unfamiliar establishments
In theory, the recipes for specific cocktails are the same at every establishment. In reality, every bartender adds their own flair. Many bartenders pour heavy when they hope to obtain better tips. They may make drinks stronger, especially when they are unfamiliar with an individual’s tipping habits. People who stop off for happy hour at businesses they do not usually frequent may not be able to accurately gauge the strength of the drinks. They may also be unfamiliar with the serving sizes of wine and beer. Different styles of glasses can be deceptively large, leading to people over-consuming unintentionally.
Drinking rapidly and leaving
For some people, happy hour is an opportunity to socialize with other professionals. For others, it is a moment to wind down before heading home and handling household responsibilities. People who fall into the latter category might down their drinks relatively quickly and then leave immediately afterward.
Drinking rapidly can increase the impairment that people experience after drinking. Additionally, leaving immediately after finishing a drink prevents people from properly gauging their impairment. Their blood alcohol levels may continue to rise for some time after they finish the drink. Instead of giving themselves time to metabolize the alcohol, they put themselves at increased risk of having an illegally high blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
Fighting back against pending DUI charges requires a careful evaluation of the factors that led to an arrest. Motorists may be able to fight DUI charges with the right help and a careful review of the state’s case.