Driving Drunk: A Sobering Examination of This Phenomenon

It’s common knowledge that you shouldn’t drive drunk. Everyone knows it, but if they don’t, their instructors will mention it when they go to driving school. At that point, individuals trying to get their licenses will probably see short films showing graphic car accident footage.

However, many people still ingest alcohol and drive. When that happens, they can cause a wreck. In fact, 22.2% of 2021 fatal crashes involved alcohol, and you can point to similar stats most other years as well.

This begs the question: why do so many people still drive drunk? They know it’s a bad idea, but they still get behind the wheel and drive off, some of them weaving all over the road.

There’s no single or simple answer, but if you examine the phenomenon a bit, several factors start to emerge. They’re worth talking about, so let’s do so right now.

Some People Believe They Can Still Drive Well After Drinking

While there’s no one reason people drink alcohol and drive, if they ask some of those that do, they might say that they believe alcohol does not impair their driving abilities very much. These individuals might get to the point where they think they’re excellent drivers, and they’re scornful if someone suggests that they can’t drive as well with a few drinks in them.

If you have been a licensed driver for 20 years or more, and you’ve never caused an accident, you may start to believe that you’re invincible. Of course, avoiding car wrecks involves luck to a certain extent. While driving safely means you won’t cause as many accidents, it’s pure luck that another driver who breaks a traffic law never hits you.

The idea that you can’t get in an accident gets in the heads of some drivers. They might believe that even if they’re over the legal limit, their track record establishes that nothing will happen to them if they make this ill-advised decision. 

Some Individuals Don’t Mind Driving Drunk if They’re Close to Home

You might also have some drivers who feel like, if they’re relatively close to home, it’s fine if they tempt fate by driving drunk. If they’re at a friend’s house or a bar, and they know that they’re two miles from home, they may think that nothing will happen if they drive, especially if they know the route very well.

They’re reckless because of familiarity. They might not drive if they’re in an unknown locale, but since they know the route by heart, they may think that they’re in the clear if they take this chance. They might also think it’s a hassle if they have to call an Uber or a Lyft and then have to come back to retrieve their vehicle later.

Some Don’t Believe They’re Over the Legal Limit

Other drunk drivers might not believe they’re over the legal intoxication limit. Usually, if you drink one serving of alcohol, you’re at the limit. A beer-and-a-half usually puts you over, while one fairly strong mixed drink will often legally intoxicate you.

Someone who drinks two glasses of wine with dinner might seem fine. They’ve diluted the drinks with food, and if they’re not a lightweight, they probably won’t slur their words or stumble when they get up from the table.

They’re still probably over the legal limit, though, and if a police checkpoint catches them, they might fail a breathalyzer. These drivers might find it confounding if they get a DUI at a police checkpoint. Maybe they are driving perfectly fine, but they are still legally intoxicated.

Certain Drivers Don’t Want to Admit Their Intoxication in Front of Friends

For other motorists, drunk driving becomes a macho thing. A young driver who goes out drinking with their friends and takes a bunch of shots might not want to admit their level of intoxication. They may hear that their friends want to go back to someone’s house so they can continue the party there.

They might not want to leave their car, and perhaps they don’t want a less intoxicated friend to drive it. This situation can cause a disaster. Someone who chooses to drink several shots or beers and then drives to show off might speed or otherwise act recklessly. Such scenarios can end with a death, a vehicle’s total destruction, or both.

Some People Think They Can Mask Their Intoxication

Some people also think that even if they know they’re over the legal limit significantly, they can mask that by eating some food or drinking a few glasses of water. It’s an old trick, and one that doesn’t actually work from an intoxication standpoint.

Yes, you might start to gradually feel more sober if you eat a heavy meal or drink a few glasses of water. If you let some time elapse, that might also clear your mind a bit as well.

However, you’re probably still over the legal limit. Once again, if a police checkpoint stops you, you’re probably looking at a DUI.

There’s a way around all of this. If you drink any alcohol at all, don’t drive. It’s that simple. If you have consumed any alcohol, either designate a driver, take public transportation, or call for a ride share vehicle.

By doing so, you can feel certain you acted responsibly. If you have to go back to a bar or a friend’s house to pick your car up later, so be it.

Getting a DUI can mess your life up quite a bit, and you need to keep that in mind. If you get one, the police can take away your license, especially if you compounded the problem by speeding or tailgating another vehicle.

Then, you’re potentially looking at reckless driving or another charge. You might lose your license and have to take public transportation to work from that point forward. 

It’s simply not worth it. Avoid drunk driving at all costs and keep yourself and those around you safe.