Receiving a DUI charge during the holiday season can happen to anyone. Between attending holiday parties, work parties, and other social events, it can be easy to indulge in one too many. We have all made decisions we regret, and these decisions can be particularly difficult to cope with during the holiday season.
You might accept your boss’s invitation for drinks after work and then get into your car to drive home. Perhaps you had one too many glasses of wine at a Christmas-themed ladies’ night out. Good people can make mistakes. If you or a loved one are facing a DUI this holiday season, the attorneys at Glasgow & Olsson can help. Contact our skilled DUI attorneys as soon as possible to learn how we can help fight for your rights during the holiday season.
What Constitutes Drunk Driving in Illinois?
Many people who face DUI charges are not even that drunk. They might have had two drinks and blow a .083 or a .79 on a breathalyzer test. Under Illinois law, an individual with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or lower can be charged with driving while under the influence. How much can someone drink without being at risk of a DUI charge?
Every person’s body metabolizes alcohol differently, so there is no hard and fast rule about how many drinks a person can imbibe before risking a DUI charge. The effect of alcohol on an individual depends on the amount of alcohol the person consumes. The effect also depends on the rate at which the person’s body absorbs the alcohol. Weight, alcohol tolerance, gender, mood, environment, and the amount of food someone eats while consuming alcohol all play a role in determining blood alcohol concentration..
The type of alcohol can also make a difference. The amount of alcohol in a mixed drink depends on the person making the drink. Someone who usually does not feel buzzed after drinking a cocktail may become intoxicated over the legal limit if the bartender pours more liquor than usual in the drink. One 12-ounce mug of beer is comparable to a 1.5 shot of hard liquor. When individuals drink two or more different types of alcoholic beverages, they might not realize just how much alcohol is affecting them.
A DUI Charge can Affect Anyone
According to the Illinois Secretary of State, the average DUI offender has the following characteristics:
- 74% of DUI offenders are male
52% of DUI offenders are under age 35 with an average age of 34
Drivers are frequently caught driving with a .16 BAC, twice the illegal limit
Most DUI arrests happen on a weekend, between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Drunk driving accidents can happen to anyone, but DUI arrests happen most frequently to people ages 20 to 45. If you know that you will be attending holiday functions and family events with alcohol, it is wise to arrange a ride-share or a designated driver. If you have been faced with a DUI charge, our DUI defense attorneys can help. Contact Glasgow & Olsson today to schedule your initial consultation.