In my state, 0.08% BAC is the legal limit to drive. What does 0.08 actually feel like?

At your weight it probably takes 4-5 beers to get .08. So imagine what you feel like after 5 beers.

It depends entirely on your tolerance to alcohol. I ran with a guy in college who could do tempo runs with a .08 BAC. Then there were other guys on the team I wouldn't trust behind the wheel after 1 beer.

The only way you'll ever personally know is to bight the bullet and drive drunk.

The first part makes sense, but driving drunk is not going to help the guy know what .08 feels like. You'd be surprised at how easy it can be to register a .08.

How much do you drink? wrote:

The only way you'll ever personally know is to bight the bullet and drive drunk.

Good luck explaining to all of the families the reason why their family member(s) are dead if you're lucky enough not to die yourself...

Moderate alcohol consumption is actually very healthy, according to almost all the recent studies. The problem is that moderate differs from one person to another. Factors such as gender, size, individual tolerance, etc., make a big difference. I am surprised that restaurants and bars are not required to have one of the breathalyzer machines next to their cashout counter. As has been mentioned, for some, .08 can show up fairly quickly. If you are going to have more than 1 or 2 drinks, food helps as does drinking more slowly and drinking some water, juice, coffee in between alcohol drinks. Dancing is also good :)

"moderate" in most studies is one drink (i.e. 5 oz of wine) five times a week.

In the USA or the rest of the world?

Thanks everyone.

Google up "Sensible drinking - Recommendations on alcohol consumption". You will find a very wide range of what is considered sensible or healthy drinking, much different than the 1 drink a day stuff. Or google up "Alcohol Problems and Solutions" - Health. You will find links to 181 scientific studies recommending moderate drinking for optimal health, healthier than abstainers in each of these studies. The guideline for moderate was usually 1-2 drinks a day for women, 2-4 drinks a day for men.

I think 0.06 can start to impair your ability to drive.

Having even the slightest drop of alcohol in your system is enough for impairment. We need to lower the limit so that even 0.01 is illegal. Alcohol is a curse upon society and needs to be wiped from this earth. Don't listen to all the lies about moderate alcohol consumption being good for anyone, it's the liquor industry pushing its facts around just like tobacco companies did when doctors recommended people take up smoking. We need to have prohibition once again.

After being pulled over for erratic driving and then failing 3 field sobriety tests, Harold Davidson, 61 was taken into custody for a DUI. At the county jail, however, new BAC tests showed his alcohol level to be below the legal limit. He was found not guilty of a DWI, but guilty of driving while impaired. Sentencing will be at a later date. Operating While Intoxicated is the charge usually authorized by the prosecuting official. This is an important distinction because the penalties,while still severe, are less than OWI and a skilled defense attorney will know best how to argue for a reduction.

alejandro wrote:

Google up "Sensible drinking - Recommendations on alcohol consumption". You will find a very wide range of what is considered sensible or healthy drinking, much different than the 1 drink a day stuff. Or google up "Alcohol Problems and Solutions" - Health. You will find links to 181 scientific studies recommending moderate drinking for optimal health, healthier than abstainers in each of these studies. The guideline for moderate was usually 1-2 drinks a day for women, 2-4 drinks a day for men.

I'll tell you what, if I drink 2-4 alcoholic drinks per day, I feel like shit every day.

I saw a Dr. Phil show about consequences of drunk driving, including a "Jackass" producer who rolled a Porsche killing himself and a passenger. I then ordered a handheld blood alcohol analyzer from Backtrack for about $40 (here is link to a more expensive version):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BACtrack-S75-Pro-Digital-Breathalyzer-Blood-Alcohol-/360245153030

On vacation, I visited a winery and tasted a few different wines. I felt like maybe I shouldn't be driving and that with another sip of wine I definitely should not be driving. I was surprised that I only blew a .03 as I was expecting much higher based on how I felt. I'm guessing some people with a tolerance can drive fairly well at .09 and above.

This is an interesting program that attempts to answer your question. Personally for all the "seatbelt enforcement" and "DUI Checkpoint" grants i think expanding this program would be a way better use of the money.

http://www.kctv5.com/story/19797389/police-offer-free-breathalyzer-tests-to-help-learn-limits

aaaaaaa wrote:

I've never had a breathalizer, so I don't know what 0.08 would feel like. Slightly tipsy? Goofy? Or would I even notice it? I'm 6'4", 195lbs.

note that at .08 you are over the limit - need to be below that or you are going to jail

MADDmom wrote:

Having even the slightest drop of alcohol in your system is enough for impairment. We need to lower the limit so that even 0.01 is illegal. Alcohol is a curse upon society and needs to be wiped from this earth. Don't listen to all the lies about moderate alcohol consumption being good for anyone, it's the liquor industry pushing its facts around just like tobacco companies did when doctors recommended people take up smoking. We need to have prohibition once again.

Not getting enough sleep is way more dangerous than having one drink before driving. Why is there no Mothers Against Tired Driving? WHY NOT?

Had 2 shots of Vodka and hit .04995 less than an hour later. Still had to fight a DUI, which I did successfully.

6'1" 185, 6% body fat.

MINI SODA wrote:

Had 2 shots of Vodka and hit .04995 less than an hour later. Still had to fight a DUI, which I did successfully.

Congrats, that's not easy to do.