CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The new year is almost here, and many people will “drink in” 2025—and maybe drink too much.
But what legally counts as too drunk to drive? Depending on where you are, the legal limits can vary.
If you like your liquor, you know when you’ve had a few too many. Or do you?
Having a designated driver is the only safe way to hit the road.
But boozers who risk driving tipsy and exceeding legal limits may park them behind bars, or worst-case scenario, in a cemetery.
And those legal limits vary by state and around the globe.
We all know drunk driving is illegal.
What exactly defines being drunk?
Most countries say you can’t get behind the wheel when the concentration of alcohol in your blood (best known as B.A.C.) is.05 percent or more.
But a few countries enforce a limit above that.
The United States is one of them. The limit here is set at .08 percent.
Recent data shows the U.S. has 13,500 drunk driving deaths every year.
2022 numbers reveal 460 alcohol-related deaths in North Carolina and 474 in South Carolina.
Driving simulator tests revealed people perform worse with any amount of alcohol in their system.
A study reported that drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of. 05% were 38% more likely to crash than sober drivers.
Why does the U.S. have such a high legal limit?
Some hospitality industry businesses worry any new rules would hamper alcohol sales and hurt restaurants and bars.
But the National Transportation Safety Board has backed a change to lower.
What types of vehicles routinely get pulled over for DUI?
Nearly one million DUI arrests are made each year. Many of the cars involved are family-sized vehicles.
According to a new report by Insurify, the ‘soccer parent’ minivan along with SUVs are on the list of top car models with the most DUIs in 2024.
The Buick Envista ranks number one on the list.
Best practices for tonight?
If you are leaving home to drink, set up a designated driver or ride share.
