How do decide what is your drinking limit when driving?

[DCal430]

Someone I know recently got a DUI, so it made me wonder how do you all decide how much is safe to drink when driving. For me usually about 5 or so drinks, about when I start feeling a little light headed, and my brain feels like it slowing down. I also keep a breathalyzer in the car to be safe too.

Some people I know only do 1 drink, others do 2 or 3, and some like me do 4 to 6 drinks. So what is your limit? Do you keep a breathalyzer in your car too?

 

[MongGrel]

My wife does not drink, maybe one tops and it's usually something like Sangria, so if we go out I do not worry about it.

We do not go out too often in general I guess.

If I've drank anything period, I do not drive.

 

[MrScott81]

If I've drank anything period, I do not drive.

/thread

 

[DCal430]

/thread

For many of us that is feasible.

 

[Platypus]

I do a max of two beers as long as they aren't > 6% abv but I rarely if ever drive so not super relevant to me.

 

[MongGrel]

For many of us that is feasible.

If you mean unfeasible, yeah I'd have a breathalyzer, if I were single and going out these days.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I've been using Uber a ton more but usually it's like 3-4 normal drinks.

 

[TheVrolok]

Depends on time as well, but generally more than one and I don't drive. Not worth it. 5? Unless that's over quite a bit if time that's just fucking stupid.

 

[SKORPI0]

If I've drank anything period, I do not drive.

This.

http://dui.drivinglaws.org/drink-table.php

.... So, practically, if you’re wondering how many drinks you can have before driving, the best answer is ‘None.’
Legally, in all states you should not be operating a motor vehicle with a .08 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC). In other words,
whether or not you consider yourself "drunk," the law considers you to be an offender if your BAC is above .08%.

Get someone who hasn't drunk any alcohol to drive you home. Better Safe, than Sorry. :hmm:

 

[K7SN]

Back when you could crawl in your car a sleep off a drunk my drinking limit was about 6 beers and I was still under the DUI limit but wise enough not to drive. They have cut the DUI limit in half and I no longer drive when I drink. The more you drink and drive the better you get a driving under the influence but you still can't control stupid drivers who while 100% in the wrong claim will win because you are 'impaired.' Many of the DUIs are seldom drinking people who come home from an wedding, office party, etc.and get up close and personal with a light pole or parked vehicle. An alcoholic wouldn't! If I drink I'm either home, hotel after a race (I have a 'comped' room and all I have to negotiate an elevator) or around a campfire in the middle of the desert where I can sleep it of without driving. Never been stopped for drinking and only once asked if I was alright by a cop when sleeping of having too much to drink; I said I had a little too much to drink and was sleeping it off and he thanked me and left. Can't do that anymore.

Try something like playing a game when you are drinking and watch as your ability to react in a timely manner decreases as alcoholic content increase. One beer no problem; to beers and you question how that troll got away. etc.. Pick your limit with some safe empirical tests.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

I pretty much only drink alcohol at home when alone. There was one time where I had about half a can of an energy drink and felt too buzzed to drive and do some intended shopping, though.

 

[Nebor]

Two drinks for me. Anything more (and I almost always have more than two drinks if I'm out) and I take an uber.

 

[TheGardener]

Two beers or glasses of wine. But that is with food and over a couple hours. Less time I'll have only one glass.

 

[Avalon]

Two regular beers tops, then it's uber time. If I know ahead of time I'll be out a while and will have more than two, I won't even drive to the place I'm going, just uber straight there.

 

[Newell Steamer]

Two drinks.

Drunk driving is inexcusable.

 

[ioni]

Try something like playing a game when you are drinking and watch as your ability to react in a timely manner decreases as alcoholic content increase.

Hmm... that would pose a problem for me since my reaction time doesn't go down with the increase of alcohol intake.

But to answer the OP's question, if I'm driving home, I tend to make sure I average out to 1 drink an hour with a ceiling of 4 drinks.

 

[Humpy]

2 beers. None after the fifth inning.

Only cunts drive drunk.

 

[brianmanahan]

the last time i had alcohol was 10 years before i could drive

 

[TheGardener]

Hmm... that would pose a problem for me since my reaction time doesn't go down with the increase of alcohol intake.

But to answer the OP's question, if I'm driving home, I tend to make sure I average out to 1 drink an hour with a ceiling of 4 drinks.

Your limiting yourself to 1 drink per hour, would seem to be prudent. Hopefully you'd have something to eat during that time period as well.

As far as reaction time goes, you don't have a scientific leg to stand on. Maybe you are being sarcastic. Otherwise the CDC, among any medical or law enforcement source, would disagree with you.

Is it safe to drink alcohol and drive?
No. Alcohol use slows reaction time and impairs judgment and coordination, which are all skills needed to drive a car safely.2 The more alcohol consumed, the greater the impairment.

http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm

 

[Ferzerp]

Otherwise the CDC, among any medical or law enforcement source

Why exactly would you include this as an authority on physiology?

 

[Spoooon]

1 serving of alcohol per hour and you'll be good to go.

If you have a hard time killing the hour, have a water or soda in between.

edit: And to echo the "better safe than sorry" comment, you get a DUI and you are in for it. Just not worth taking the chance.

 

[Attic]

Anything more than 2 and i'm not driving unless i've got a 2-3 hour window after the last drink to hang wherever I am.


I think the limits are too strict, though it is what it is. Uber helps given the the current DUI rules in most states.

 

[videogames101]

usually 2, if we're talking out till 3am maybe 3 because i have so much time to burn through it

 

[destrekor]

DUIs suck. Hard. Don't do it, not worth it.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

OP says he drives after downing a six pack and we aren't inventing new obscenities to call him?