A full meal may help you avoid a DUI
In California, the legal limit for driving after drinking is .08 percent blood alcohol content (BAC). For the majority of Californians — other than those who are under the age of 21 or currently on DUI probation — this legal limit sets a bar for the ratio of blood to alcohol in a person’s body before they are considered too intoxicated to drive. Importantly, under California law, you may also be arrested for driving under the influence with a lower BAC if you fail to drive with the care and caution of a reasonable sober person in similar circumstances.
There are a lot of “old wives tales” circulating about how you can lower your BAC or fool a breathalyzer. Some are just plain foolish, like sucking on a penny. As a general rule, the only thing that will lower your BAC after you are already intoxicated is time. You simply have to wait to get sober.
Yet there are things that you can do to reduce the likelihood that you will become intoxicated if you want to indulge in alcohol safely. There are a number of factors that impact how your body processes alcohol, such as your age, gender, weight, the rate at which you consume alcohol, and your level of stress. Another significant factor in how alcohol will impact your BAC is the amount of food in your system.
When you drink alcohol, it is absorbed into your bloodstream immediately, primarily through the stomach and small intestines. If you eat food either before or during drinking, it will slow the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream. In particular, food that is high in protein can help to prevent you from becoming drunk too fast. Of course, you still have to make responsible choices when drinking — but having a meal before or while drinking can help to moderate the impact of alcohol on your BAC.
California law imposes harsh penalties on anyone who is caught driving under the influence. That makes it all the more important that you be cautious when drinking if you plan to drive. As a DUI defense attorney Orange County, CA can explain, a DUI arrest can lead to significant consequences, including possible jail time or probation, community service, fines and fees, mandatory DUI school, and a license suspension.
The best choice if you plan on drinking is (1) know your limit and (2) to avoid driving entirely if you have exceeded your limit. Having a designated driver or a plan for a ride is a far better option than taking the chance of hurting yourself or someone else by getting behind the wheel of a car after drinking.
If you have been charged with a California DUI, the Chambers Law Firm can help. We represent clients in Orange County and the surrounding areas who have been charged with DUIs and related offenses. Contact our office today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced DUI defense attorney Orange County, CA.
