How many beers does it take to get a DUI?
Question
How many beers does it take to get a DUI?
Answer
- Women (Average weight 166 lbs.) 3 beers
- Men (Average weight 195 lbs.) 4 beers
Be weary of this number
These numbers, according to the chart below (provided by Patch) should only serve as a general guide. I will explain after you take a look.
As you probably already know, the legal limit for BAC is 0.08. If you are pulled over on suspicion of a DUI, you will be asked to take roadside sobriety tests and a breathalyzer- do not take these tests. I go into extreme detail on exactly what to do when you’re pulled over in another article.
Why you should be weary of these numbers
There are some things to remember when looking at this chart, especially if you are underage. The legal alcohol limit for people under the age of 21 is 0.02, but you can be sure that if an officer detects any amount of alcohol, you’re going to be booked.
If you’re not underage, then you have to remember two things:
- The officer has to prove you are impaired (alcohol affects people differently).
- Some alcoholic drinks (especially mixed drinks) are much stronger.
This does not make the chart wrong in any way, because there is no way a BAC chart can account for the heavy-handed over pour of that vodka soda you just ordered.
“So how will I know?”
As a DUI lawyer and former prosecutor, I’ve seen a lot of DUI cases come through the courts on both sides.
If you want to know how many beers or drinks you can have without worrying about a DUI, the number is generally 2.
You should be OK if you have two servings of alcohol over the course of about two hours. But like I said before, mixed drinks are sometimes way stronger and some beer is stronger than 6%; alcohol affects people differently. You know your limits more than anyone else.
As soon as you pick up that third drink, you put yourself in the danger zone. Remember, the officer has to prove you are impaired to get an indictment, but you want to avoid being arrested at all.
If you happen to take the breathalyzer test after having your third drinks, you are at risk. There is a good possibility your test will be over the legal alcohol limit.
Even if you stick to the 2 drink rule, you are putting yourself at risk (especially if you are not used to drinking). If the police stop you and smell alcohol, they will try to put you through the tests and arrest you.
All of the breathalyzer machines and chemical tests have a certain error level. If the test shows you are 0.08 or over, you are probably going to be arrested and looking for a Rhode Island DUI lawyer.
