• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Monitech Ignition Interlock Systems

Monitech Ignition Interlock

North Carolina's leading Ignition Interlock provider

  • Interlock Basics
    • What is an Interlock
    • Interlock Cost
    • Special Offers
    • Interlock Videos
  • Locations
    • Service Centers
  • Partners
    • Refer A Client
    • Attorneys
    • Counselors
  • Customer Support
    • Contact Monitech Ignition Interlock
    • About
    • Refer A Friend
    • FAQs
    • Reviews
    • Mechanic Code Request
    • Blog
  • 800-521-4246

No, You Most Definitely Do NOT Know How Drunk You Are

July 22, 2015 by Editorial Staff

Everyone is aware that drinking alcohol diminishes one’s ability to drive a car. However, most people are almost completely unaware just how drunk they are. It’s very common to overestimate one’s ability to drive under the influence of alcohol. That’s why so many people surrender their keys far too late.

Let’s take our typical, mythical 160-pound male. If you ask him, “Are you okay to drive?” while he’s drinking, chances are that you’ll get responses like this:

The Perception

1 Drink – Fine, no problem.

2 Drinks – It’s just 2 drinks, I’m fine.

3 Drinks – I’ll be fine if I’m careful. No problem, don’t worry, really.

4 Drinks – Yeah, you have a point, I probably shouldn’t drive.

5 Drinks –  Okay, okay, I’ll take a taxi.

This man, of course, is dreaming. A more realistic set of responses, based on his breath alcohol concentration (BAC), might be the following:

The Reality

1 Drink: (.02 BAC) – I’m probably fine, though my judgment is off a bit.

2 Drinks: (04-05 BAC) – No way. In some countries I’m already considered legally drunk. If I drive now my coordination will be messed up, and if I suddenly need to respond to something on the road, I could easily blow it.

3 Drinks: (.07-.08 BAC) – What was I thinking? My concentration is off, and my muscle coordination isn’t too good. I can’t hear or see as well as I should, and my reaction times are terrible. I won’t even be able to control my speed very well. No way I’m getting behind the wheel.

4 Drinks: (.09 – .10) – Take my keys in case I try anything stupid. I wouldn’t be able to stay in one lane long enough to make it home.

5 Drinks: .11-12 BAC. I’m hammered. Why are we having this conversation?

Sadly, one rarely hears anything like the Reality answers. But they represent a true account of what’s going on in the body of that 160-pound male. Maybe if he reads this, he’ll start relying less on Perception and accept the Reality of how alcohol affects him. If not, he might get a much harsher lesson on the roads.

Category: General InformationTag: Blood Alcohol Concentration, Impaired Driving

About Editorial Staff

The editorial staff is a group of writers and contributors with wide-ranging areas of expertise. The editorial staff provides news and analysis of topics that are focused on community and driver safety.

Previous Post:Drive Drunk with a Child in Arizona? Don’t Dream of It.
Next Post:I Got a DWI in North Carolina. Will I Go to Jail?

Free First Month

Call a North Carolina expert now at 800-521-4246 to claim your Free First Month!

Call Today
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Call Toll-Free

800-521-4246

Interlock Basics

What Is An Interlock

Interlock Cost

Interlock Videos

Locations

Service Centers

Partners

Refer A Client

Attorneys

Counselors

Customer Support

About

Refer A Friend

FAQs

Reviews

Mechanic Code Request

Blog

News

Copyright © 2023 Monitech, LLC.

Customer Support · Contact · ISO Certification