Whenever there is a drunk driving arrest or even a car accident, people will sometimes say that they can’t believe the person was driving while they were impaired. At the same time, the driver may claim that they thought that it would be safe to drive and that they weren’t aware that they were over the legal limit.
What this really underscores is the fact that many people who have been drinking lack the ability to judge their own level of impairment. They consistently get it wrong, often guessing that they are less impaired than they really are.
Why does this happen?
There are two main reasons why this happens. The first is that alcohol impairment makes it more difficult to make accurate judgments about everything. Simply by being intoxicated, someone is less able to judge their own intoxication than they would be in another situation. They may honestly believe that they are under the legal limit when they get in the car. But the next morning, when thinking back on the event, they would understand that they weren’t sober at all.
The second issue is that many people will compare themselves to others around them when trying to determine if they are impaired or not. So if that person was in a lively atmosphere where everyone was drinking heavily – such as a sporting event or a dance club – they may be the most sober person at that location. This will lead them to believe that it is safe to drive, even though they’re still over the legal limit.
These types of issues can lead to drunk driving arrests. Those who are facing charges need to know about all their legal defense options and the impact that a conviction could have on their future.
