If you are like many other Americans, you may enjoy going out for a few drinks with friends or a night out on the town. As a way to prevent people from drinking and driving after an evening of fun, some designate a driver to avoid drinking during the night. This sober driver can then ensure everyone gets home safely without having to get behind the wheel after drinking. The problem lies in the fact that your designated driver may not be as sober as you think.
According to an article in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, as much as 40% of designated drivers consumed alcohol before driving their friends home. Approximately 18% of those drivers had a blood alcohol content level of 0.05% or higher. Although the legal limit is 0.08%, people who have a BAC level reading of as little 0.02% show impairment that could affect their ability to drive.
