Good Planning Can Help Avoid DUI

 

Most forms of media are jumping on the bandwagon to stomp out drunk driving. Various television commercials depict drivers in vehicles bubbling full of alcohol. Radio ads have sirens and the stern voice of a police officer putting out warnings to anyone who tries to drink and drive. But these threats and warnings are not all necessary. With a little planning it is possible to enjoy a good time with friends and make it home safely.

 

How Alcohol Moves Through the Body

 

All food and liquids taken in to the human body must be changed so that the body can properly use the items. This is the process known as metabolism. Picture a wheat harvest that is collected, cleaned, ground and turned into flour. Nobody wants to consume raw wheat, but lots of people enjoy making various kinds of bread out of flour.

 

It is the same with the food and liquids we consume. When alcoholic beverages are taken into the body it passes through the stomach, to the intestines and then to the liver. The liver contains enzymes which are little chemicals that can break down alcohol and turn it into acetate. Acetate can be easily changed by our bodies into carbon dioxide and water which are efficiently expelled from the body in various ways.

 

The Liver Bottleneck

 

The liver has a limit to the amount of alcohol it can properly break down in a certain amount of time. If too much alcohol is taken in during a short amount of time, the excess alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream. The bloodstream transports the alcohol all over the body, including the brain. This is what impairs people and makes them drunk. But this does not mean that drinking a lot of alcohol has to result in a DUI arrest.

 

Eating and Drinking

 

A full stomach allows the body to metabolize more alcohol. That is because the food must pass through the stomach first. People that have plans on sharing a few drinks with friends should always eat a large snack before drinking or consume the alcohol with a full meal. This will give the body the optimum condition to break down the alcohol and still allow the person to have the proper reactions and clearness of mind in order to drive.

 

Water Does a Body Good

 

Another important factor to consider is the presence of water. The body needs a good supply of water everyday in order to keep the blood flowing properly and all of the organs working at their best. If a person has a low amount of water in their body when they are consuming alcohol the alcohol is actually absorbed into the bloodstream much faster. This can lead to a state of drunkenness very quickly. People should consume a few glasses of water either before their drinking festivities or consider having some water in between drinks. This will replenish the body's supply of water and help delay intoxication.

 

Delaying the Driving

 

One primary way to avoid being pulled over under the suspicion of drunk driving is to make sure that your blood alcohol content (BAC) level is at or below .08%. But how can you do this? Don't drive within the first two hours after you have stopped drinking.

 

The reasoning behind this is quite simple. Although the exact time frame differs from person to person, on average it takes about 30 to 45 minutes after finishing an alcoholic beverage for the person's BAC to reach its highest level. Once this peak has been reached, the BAC will begin to decline. For this reason, people who know beforehand that they will be enjoying a few beers with friends or a bottle of wine over dinner should plan their evening with extra time in mind. By consuming the alcohol and then waiting a substantial amount of time, such as a couple of hours, your BAC should be low enough to allow you to drive and avoid any stops by the police.

 

Of course, in many cases common sense should prevail. Asking someone to go with you and act as a designated driver, or calling a taxi company before the fun begins, can save a lot of misery and trouble down the road. Give your keys to a trusted source and getting home safe is a much better plan than trying to remember what time you had your last drink and how much longer you need to wait before getting behind the wheel.