How Can I Be Over the Legal Limit After Only One Drink?
When considering the legal limit for alcohol consumption, the number of ounces of alcohol in the drinks you consume matters more than the number of drinks you had – and not all drinks are the same. A single mixed drink may have 3 ounces of alcohol in it, which is the equivalent of 3 drinks, and depending on the restaurant or bar, the typical martini has 2 ½ to 3 ounces of alcohol in it. This ratio means that if you have just one martini, it can take over 3 hours to cancel its effects on your body!
In terms of legality, one drink equals:
- 1 oz. shot of 80 proof vodka, tequila, rum, etc.
- 3 oz. glass of wine
- 12 oz. beer
How Much Alcohol Does It Take To Become “Impaired?”
So, how much alcohol does it take for me to be legally deemed to be impaired? The answer depends on several different factors, including:
- How many ounces of alcohol you have consumed.
- How quickly you drink it.
- How much you weigh.
- How much food is in your stomach.
- Other medical conditions.
For example: If you weigh 140 pounds and have 3 drinks in an hour (note what a drink equals from the information above), your blood alcohol level will be at .08%, the legal limit. If your stomach is empty, or if you are tired, on certain medications, or experiencing heightened emotions, fewer than 3 drinks in an hour can have a more significant effect on you.
Remember These Meldon Law DUI Attorney Insights Before Drinking And Driving
- A person’s judgment is the first thing affected after drinking alcohol, which means you may think you can safely drive when you can’t.
- Alcohol affects your vision and reduces your alertness and response time.
- Alcohol affects you differently at different times. If you are upset, overtired, or have an empty stomach, drugs or alcohol may have a stronger effect on you.
- Physical exercise, black coffee, fresh air, and cold showers do not effectively help sober someone up. Only the passage of time helps.
- It takes over 1 hour to cancel the effects of 1 drink.
- Mixing drugs and alcohol can produce a strong reaction, even if your doctor prescribed you the drugs or they are over-the-counter medications.
Do Not Drive After Drinking or Taking Drugs
More than half of all Florida accidents in which someone is killed involve a driver who has been drinking or taking drugs. Alcohol and drugs:
- Affect your judgment and vision.
- Slow down your reactions.
- Make it harder for you to concentrate on and judge distances.
- Make you think you are driving well when you are not.
Remember, the only sure way of avoiding the lifelong consequences of a DUI conviction is to not drink and drive!
However, if it is too late, do not make another mistake – hire an experienced DUI/DWI attorney to represent you and do it ASAP, don’t wait! You can contact us today at 800-373-8000.
The experienced Trial Attorneys at Meldon Law are dedicated to preserving the rights of the accused.
Our team of attorneys has a combined 60 years of legal experience representing people in Gainesville, Ocala, and all of the state of Florida when accused of DUI/DWI and other criminal charges. They wrote the DUI Guide for Alachua County – Ways to Possibly Avoid a DUI Charge or Conviction. Request your free copy today.
This free no obligation book, written by a team of experienced DUI defense criminal trial attorneys, gives insight into what a DUI charge is, ways the State can prove the charge, and possible legal defenses.
Being charged and convicted of DUI is best avoided by not drinking and driving! This book also gives information on what it takes to be over the legal limit, how alcohol affects the body, plus much, much more!
