A night of partying hard with a few too many alcoholic drinks leading to a miserable morning after is an all too familiar scenario. The dreadful experience of waking up feeling fatigued, nauseated and dehydrated after overindulging in beer, wine or liquor is known as a hangover. However, despite feeling the lingering effects of drinking too much alcohol, some drivers still attempt to power through and wonder if they can drive hungover.
A hangover often kicks in once a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC), which is the amount of alcohol flowing in someone’s bloodstream, starts to drop and nears zero. Common hangover symptoms include migraine or extreme headache, excessive thirst and sweating, increased sensitivity to light and sound, vertigo or a spinning sensation, and a general feeling of malaise. The severity of these unpleasant hangover manifestations often varies per person and may last for a couple of hours to as much as an entire day.
To help motorists make responsible decisions, it is imperative that they are aware of the safety and legal consequences when they risk driving while hungover.
To drive with a hangover can be unsafe
A study shows that hungover driving is equally dangerous as drunk driving. Although with a zero BAC, the research participants underwent a driving simulation and showed a pattern of risky driving like drivers over the legal BAC limit. So, if hungover drivers insist on getting behind the wheel even if their bodies are still coping with the aftermath of alcohol consumption, they can be vulnerable to the following dangers:
- Reduced reaction time to respond to emergencies and sudden changes in the environment
- Decreased concentration and bodily coordination to control the vehicle properly
- Poor judgment to make critical decisions when navigating the road
These threats can quickly and unexpectedly result in an injury claim from car accident. In the worst cases, involved drivers, passengers and pedestrians may sustain severe or fatal injuries. With lives at stake, adhering to regulations promoting responsible driving is of the utmost importance. If you find yourself asking, ‘Is it worth getting an attorney for a car accident,’ consulting with a legal professional can provide clarity and support for your specific situation
To drive hungover is not illegal, but impaired driving is
Technically, no law is stopping drivers from operating their cars while nursing a hangover. However, the distinguishing line is significantly thin because driving under the influence (DUI) of intoxicating substances, such as alcohol and drugs, is considered a crime.
In the greater area of Seattle, Washington, the police enforce strict “per se” DUI laws. If the driver has a 0.08% BAC or more, as measured through a breathalyzer, authorities do not have to provide proof to establish that the driver is impaired. Regardless of whether the driver thinks, feels or looks sober, they can still face penalties if their BAC fails to meet the acceptable limit. Depending on the gravity of the offense and whether the driver has a criminal history, the legal repercussions may include fines, license suspension, ignition interlock installation or even jail time.
With alcohol-positive drivers still accounting for at least 32% of the state’s deadly crashes, legislations have been introduced, HB 1874 in 2017 and SB 5982 in 2022, to lower the BAC limit to 0.05%. Proponents argue that this legislative change is not much of a move to prosecute but more of a deterrent for drivers when making hazardous choices. After all, it might only take a shot of tequila, a bottle of beer or a glass of wine for some drivers to become irresponsible and lose alertness on the road.
It is also crucial to note that the system of determining an accurate BAC has nuances. An individual’s alcohol level charts often depend on several factors, such as their sex, age, body fat composition, liver condition, the type of drink they consumed, or whether they have ongoing medications or have been drinking on an empty stomach. Aside from these considerations, the room temperature and other compounds detected in a person’s breath may further impact the BAC accuracy. Human error could also happen when the individual in question exhales a volume of air inappropriately, or if a police officer misreads breathalyzer results.
Given all these circumstances, the legal complications of a car accident settlement due to impaired driving far outweigh the need to hit the road.
To drive sober is the safest and legal way to go
Since heavy drinking is typically part of a driver’s lifestyle, alternative arrangements are available to keep them and others safe, and free of any potential legal mess. They can opt to take public transit, such as buses or trains. Ride-sharing services are also widely available. Another tested strategy is to prepare a carpool plan with close family members or friends, leaving the driving to a designated sober driver to bring everyone to and from their homes in one piece.
Without giving up their means of decompressing after a long day at work or expanding their social circle, drivers can still prioritize their welfare and those around them. Needless to say, the obvious choice is for drivers to only drink in moderation or consume what they can tolerate.
If there are no alternatives, taking precautions before driving around town proves paramount. While there are no set medical cures for a hangover, typical home remedies, such as drinking lots of water and eating foods rich in carbohydrates, can do wonders. If the symptoms keep compromising mobility and cognitive functions, it is always better to wait and make sure that every ounce of residual alcohol has left the body. Making deliberate efforts to return to a fully sober state is a small price to pay in exchange for safety.
Ultimately, while not illegal, to drive hungover is never a good idea. The safe choice is to sober up and be part of the solution to reducing preventable car accidents. But should the worst happen, drivers may find themselves in unfortunate situations of suffering from deadly injuries or proving liability. Instead of taking the legal fight alone, the wise move is to seek the guidance of a car accident lawyer to help protect their rights and pursue fair compensation.