DUI refers to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Each DUI charge in Colorado has a statutory minimum and maximum amount of jail time. In Colorado, DUI penalties mandate at least 5 days with a maximum of one year in jail for first offense if the blood alcohol was below 0.20 at the time of driving within two hours of an evidentiary test and there was no accident or injury. It is also possible to avoid mandatory jail time for a first offense DUI. The mandatory time could be suspended in exchange for completing an alcohol education program. If you fail to complete the probation, a court could impose jail time at a later date, to a maximum of one year. DUI is a bailable offense. If you need any assistance from a bondsman, check out Denver bonds or better, a 24 hour bail bonds agency.
But how do you know if you are sober enough to drive? Well, to start, driving and drinking can’t go together because alcohol affects your driving in several ways. It includes impairment of a driver’s judgment, significantly slows reaction time, makes it hard to focus on driving, affects the ability to control the car or speed, reduces coordination, inhibits the ability to track moving objects, and many more.
A rough guide
Some general estimates show how fast the body metabolizes different drinks:
- A small shot of liquor: 1 hour
- A pint of beer: 2 hours
- A large glass of wine: 3 hours
But there are some factors that can also affect your ability to get sober after drinking. These are:
- Age – slowed circulation and lower muscle mass as you age affect how alcohol is distributed, metabolized, and eliminated.
- Biological sex – For several physiological reasons, females metabolize alcohol differently than males and will feel the effects more even if they are of the same size.
- Bodyweight – the more a person weighs, the more space through which alcohol can diffuse in the body.
- Food (empty vs full stomach) – alcohol is absorbed through the stomach lining. In addition, having food in your stomach slows gastric emptying and reduces the absorption of alcohol. If you drink on an empty stomach which is never a good idea, the faster the body absorbs the alcohol, leading to a higher concentration of alcohol in your system.
- Other substances and medication – some medications can affect alcohol metabolism and how you feel alcohol’s effect and the same goes for many recreational substances.
- How fast you drink – if you are pounding back-shots or chugging your drinks, you are not giving your liver the time it needs to process the alcohol. This means longer-lasting effects.
Final Thoughts
To be sure, never drive when you are drunk. And being cautious all the time could really help to stay alive.
If you know someone that has been charged with DUI, call a 24 hour bail bonds agent. People at Red’s Anytime Bailbonds would be happy to help you. It is one of the best Denver bail bond agencies in town.