Drivers who plan to have a drink or two on Valentine’s Day with their significant other should arrange for a way to get home safely. Whether it means ordering a limo or scheduling an Uber, this will let you celebrate without risking your safety (or anyone else’s) to get home.
However, since Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of the week this year, many folks will be headed back to work the next morning. This “morning after” driving can be dangerous as well — and can land you in jail with a DUI.
People who have had a considerable amount to drink on Valentine’s Day (or any other night) may still be over the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit the next morning. Everyone’s system absorbs alcohol at different rates, Contrary to popular belief, coffee, a cold shower and sleep have no effect. It simply takes time for the alcohol to leave your system.
However, one in eight drivers who fail to pass a Breathalyzer test are actually pulled over the morning after they were drinking. This most frequently happens on Mondays.
Even if you’re within the legal BAC limit when you go to work and you were drinking heavily the night before, you may not be in shape to drive to work safely. Experts recommend that you plan to take public transportation, use a rideshare service or carpool with a friend to work the day following a night on the town.
While you’re making your Valentine’s Day reservations, be sure that you include plans for a safe ride home and also to work the next morning. A DUI charge will stay with you long after the fond memories of your celebration have disappeared.
Source: eDriving, “Valentine’s Day road safety alert: No one loves a drunk driver,” Feb. 11, 2018