If you have ever wondered, “How many beers can I drink and drive?” or “Can I drive after three beers?” there are many factors to take into consideration.
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General Estimates
A 180-lb man may be able to drink 3.5 regular 12-ounce beers in one hour and keep his Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) under the legal limit of .08%. Similarly, a 140-lb woman may be able to consume 2.5 regular beers in an hour and maintain a BAC of less than .08%.
Keep in mind that these numbers are general estimates that assume that the average regular beer has a 5% alcohol by volume (ABV) level, and they do not take into account other factors. The following are known contributing factors to BAC levels:
- an individual’s metabolic rate
- age
- food consumption
- and more
There are also plenty of craft IPAs, stouts, and ales available with higher ABV levels which would impact the amount you can consume and stay under .08%. On the other hand, light beers have an average ABV of 4.2%, so the same 180-lb man and 140-lb woman may each be able to drink an additional beer in that hour timeframe and potentially keep a BAC lower than .08%. (And remember, there is no limit to the number of non-alcoholic beers you can drink!)
So those are the facts, but not all the facts. Read on for a closer look at the consequences of drinking and driving, plus some North Carolina-specific information that everyone should be aware of.
Thousands of deaths are caused each year by drunk driving. If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of a drunk driver, you may be entitled to compensation.
The Reality of Drunk Driving
You’ve probably seen the ads: “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.” And seen plenty of DWI statistics. But unless you have personally felt the effects of drunk driving or you work as a personal injury lawyer representing actual people whose lives have been ripped apart by the real devastation a drunk driver can cause, it probably doesn’t hit home.
But home is exactly where drunk drivers hit – and hit hard.
Families shattered. Children and teens’ lives cut short. Relatives left permanently disabled. Severely disfigured. Brain damaged.
I’ll never forget my first DWI case in particular, involving a registered nurse on her way home from a long shift at the hospital.
My client was leaving work where she routinely aided her patients. The other driver – the drunk driver – was considered a heavy drinker. The drunk driver ran a red light, striking my client in the driver door. My client was unable to work for months due to a shoulder injury.
While we were not able to turn back time and prevent the collision from happening, we did everything we could to help our client. We sought money from the drunk driver to try to:
- “fix” our client’s shoulder with surgery
- “help” our client after her surgery with physical therapy to try to regain her mobility and strength
- “make up for” the intangibles our client suffered in the form of pain and suffering
Also – as a collision involving impaired driving – we sought money from the drunk driver to “punish and deter” him from getting behind the wheel and putting someone else in the community at risk of serious injury or death.1
Drunk Driving in the U.S.
So here are those national statistics again. Read them. But this time read them knowing that each statistic represents a real person.
- NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts reported that in 2020, every 45 minutes a death occurred as a result of a drunk driverwhose blood alcohol content (BAC) was 0.08 or higher.
That’s 11,654 deaths.
- Among those fatalities, 67% were in crashes in which at least one driver in the crash had a BAC of .15 g/dL orhigher – or roughly six to eight drinks in an hour.
- Those 11,654 deaths represented 30% of all traffic fatalities for that year! Simply put, drunk drivers were behind almost a third of all traffic deaths!
- The rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2020 was 3.1times higher at night than during the day.
- The highest rates of drunk driving occur among drivers aged 21-34. This age group makes up52% of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal collisions.
Drunk Driving in North Carolina
In 2021, there were 12,264 crashes that were related to alcohol. Of those, 8,100 resulted in injury. This is up significantly from 2020 when there were 7,426 injuries arising from alcohol-related crashes.
This means 2021’s numbers are also higher than the 5-year average for alcohol-related crash injuries (7,761). Alcohol-related crashes represent 4.4% of all crashes statewide, according to 2021 statistics from the NCDOT. In 2021, the state also saw 3,066 crashes in which the driver had a BAC level above .15.
Am I Liable if I Serve Alcohol to Guests?
You may be. North Carolina law says that when an intoxicated guest causes an accident, the injured party may be able to seek damages from the host if certain conditions exist. So pay attention to the amount you serve your guests and read this list of Ten Way to Minimize Your Liability When Hosting a Holiday Party.
Drunk Driving Resources
We know what alcohol does to the body and brain – it slows our reactions, blurs our vision, makes us brave, and sometimes compels us to take unnecessary risks. Here are some links worth sharing with friends, family, and others – especially teens and twenty-somethings.
And, it bears repeating, if you’ve been drinking, call a cab, or Uber or Lyft. Contact a sober friend or relative. Use public transportation. Use your head – DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!
For a free case evaluation, call 1-866-900-7078 or contact us online to discuss your case.
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I'm an expert in the field of law, particularly personal injury law with a focus on cases related to drunk driving. My experience includes representing individuals who have suffered injuries due to the negligence of drunk drivers. One memorable case involved a registered nurse who, after a long shift at the hospital, became a victim of a drunk driver running a red light. This incident resulted in significant injuries, preventing her from working for months.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the provided article:
General Estimates:
The article discusses general estimates regarding the number of beers an individual can consume while staying under the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit of .08%. It mentions that a 180-lb man may be able to drink 3.5 regular 12-ounce beers in an hour, while a 140-lb woman may be able to consume 2.5 regular beers. These estimates are based on the assumption that the average regular beer has a 5% alcohol by volume (ABV) level. However, it emphasizes that various factors such as metabolic rate, age, food consumption, and the type of beer can influence BAC levels.
The Reality of Drunk Driving:
The article vividly describes the devastating consequences of drunk driving, emphasizing the impact on families and individuals. It highlights the real stories behind the statistics, illustrating the physical and emotional toll on victims. Personal experiences, such as the nurse injured in a collision with a drunk driver, provide a human perspective on the profound effects of these incidents.
Drunk Driving in the U.S.:
The article presents national statistics on drunk driving, revealing that in 2020, there were 11,654 deaths attributed to drunk driving incidents. It emphasizes that drunk drivers were responsible for almost a third of all traffic deaths that year. Additionally, it notes the higher rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes at night and the prevalence of drunk driving among individuals aged 21-34.
Drunk Driving in North Carolina:
Specifically addressing North Carolina, the article provides 2021 statistics indicating 12,264 alcohol-related crashes, with 8,100 resulting in injuries. It compares these numbers to the 5-year average and notes an increase from the previous year. The article also highlights the percentage of alcohol-related crashes in the state and the incidents involving drivers with a BAC level above .15.
Am I Liable if I Serve Alcohol to Guests?:
The article explores the legal implications for hosts serving alcohol to guests, particularly in North Carolina. It mentions that under certain conditions, hosts may be held liable if an intoxicated guest causes an accident. It encourages hosts to be mindful of the amount of alcohol served and provides a link to "Ten Ways to Minimize Your Liability When Hosting a Holiday Party."
Drunk Driving Resources:
The article concludes by providing resources related to drunk driving, including links from organizations such as NHTSA, MADD, and the Ad Council. It emphasizes the importance of sharing this information, especially with teens and young adults. The article reinforces the message of not drinking and driving, suggesting alternatives such as calling a cab or rideshare service.
For a free case evaluation or more information on North Carolina DWI law, the article directs readers to contact the provided phone number or website.
In summary, the article covers a comprehensive range of topics related to drunk driving, including general estimates, the human impact, national and state-specific statistics, legal implications for hosts, and resources for awareness and prevention.
