Some people enjoy a single drink on their way home from work. A stop at happy hour can offer a quiet moment of contemplation before handling family responsibilities in the evening. Others might drink when they are in social situations.
Drinking at a party or during game night with friends can be a pleasant experience. However, it can also increase the risk of driving under the influence (DUI) charges. The decision to drink with friends, coworkers or family members can put someone at risk of a DUI arrest when they head back home afterward.
What makes social drinking a high-risk activity for many motorists?
Non-standard drink strength
Technically, one drink contains one serving of alcohol. Many people count drinks as a way of estimating their alcohol levels. They fail to consider that the beer on tap at a friend’s basement bar might come in larger servings than beers poured at a for-profit business. The same is true of glasses of wine. Friends and coworkers may be more generous than businesses. Mixed drinks can be particularly dangerous, as they may include heavy pours of multiple types of alcohol. Counting beverages doesn’t work in scenarios where standardized recipes and serving sizes do not apply.
Pressure to continue drinking
Another reason that social drinking can be particularly dangerous is that it creates an incentive to drink more than an individual can tolerate. They may start to feel the warning signs of impairment but may feel compelled to finish the drink that their friend or boss served them. In fact, they may even feel like another round is necessary so that they don’t seem standoffish or antisocial. People drinking in social environments often consume more than they would on their own or with family because of the pressure that comes from the social environment.
The need to get a vehicle back home
The final reason that social drinking can increase DUI risk is that people may be in an unfamiliar environment without alternate transportation options. Those at a bar or restaurant could call for a loved one to pick them up or hire a taxi. When people drink at another person’s residence, they may not have a place to stay while they sober up or the ability to leave their vehicle behind if they need transportation home. All of those factors can lead to someone making the questionable decision to drive after consuming a significant amount of alcohol. If they cause a crash or encounter a police officer, they may end up facing DUI charges.
A situation that leads to a DUI arrest can influence the defense strategy that a driver uses when responding to charges. Fighting DUI charges can potentially help people preserve their driving privileges and avoid incarceration, as well as the stigma of a permanent criminal record.
