Driving while impaired is not only a serious crime in Washington; it is also a danger to the safety of everyone on the road. Many people think that they are engaging in a normal level of drinking by comparing their behavior to that of their peers. But everyone is affected differently from alcohol. It is important for people to know of some objective ways to maintain a healthy balance between having fun and avoiding a DWI charge.
Staying below the legal limit
Draeger, a company that makes interlock devices, suggests that people keep their social drinking at a minimum. The legal limit in Washington is a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08%. One way that people can make sure they are not too impaired is to carry a portable breathalyzer device with them when drinking, to keep track of their BAC.
Keeping BAC low
One mistake people make when overindulging in alcohol, according to Alcohol Problems and Solutions, is failing to keep a schedule of how often the drinks are consumed in a night. They recommend that no more than one drink be consumed per hour, and that people have non-alcoholic beverages and snacks in between drinks.
Do not submit to a field sobriety test
Many times, someone may think he or she can pass a field sobriety test, and may still end up getting arrested. Even someone who has not had a single drink could “fail” these highly subjective tests.
The above tips can reduce someone’s likelihood of being arrested for a DWI. But while they may help, the best plan is not to drink and drive at all.
