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Is It Safe To Drive With A Hangover?

On Behalf of | Feb 13, 2021 | DUI |

Alcohol may remain in your system based on the amount you consumed and your blood concentration level. According to AAA, it could take between 75 and 90 minutes for your body to eliminate one standard-sized alcoholic drink.

When you feel impaired, consider holding off on driving anywhere. If you wait till “the morning after,” however, you may still risk a DUI charge. Driving while hungover carries its own set of risks.

What are some symptoms of impairment?

When you feel hungover, your body may not have eliminated all the alcohol you drank. Signs that alcohol has not completely left your system may include a headache, nausea or dizziness. These issues could hinder your ability to operate a vehicle safely and without violating a traffic rule.

During a traffic stop, an officer may ask questions to verify or rule out any suspicions of impairment. Your responses may determine whether the officer asks you to step outside your vehicle and perform a field sobriety test. Because a hangover may cause you to feel disoriented, you could flunk the field test.

What could raise the “morning after” alcohol content in my system?

Feeling hungover may indicate that alcohol continues to remain in your system. An officer may administer a blood or breath test to determine your impairment level, and if the test result shows a BAC of 0.08% or more, you may face a DUI charge. Test results, however, may show an increased BAC because of a medical condition, mouthwash or an unreliable test device.

Overall, it is to your benefit to hold off on driving until you have completely recovered from the effects of a hangover. In addition to your safety and that of others on the road, a variety of circumstances could contribute to an otherwise avoidable DUI charge.

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