Can You Drive the Day After Drinking Alcohol?
2 Answers
Due to differences in individual alcohol tolerance and metabolic rates, the time it takes to completely metabolize alcohol varies from person to person. To ensure safety, it is advisable to wait at least one full day after drinking before driving. Additionally, if you still feel noticeably unwell after drinking, it indicates that the alcohol has not been fully broken down, and driving at this time significantly increases the likelihood of being over the legal alcohol limit. Below is relevant information: Legal Basis: Article 91 of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China stipulates that driving a motor vehicle after drinking alcohol will result in a 6-month suspension of the motor vehicle driving license and a corresponding fine. If a driver is penalized for drunk driving and repeats the offense, they will face up to 10 days of detention, a corresponding fine, and revocation of their motor vehicle driving license.
I suggest you don't rush to drive the day after drinking. It takes time for alcohol to metabolize in your body, typically 8-12 hours on average, but this varies from person to person. Factors like lower body weight, heavy drinking, or not eating well the night before can all prolong the metabolism time. I've seen a friend get pulled over and fined hundreds of yuan the next day for driving; his excuse was that he felt sober, but the breathalyzer still showed his alcohol level was over the limit. What's worse, driving before your body fully recovers slows your reaction time, making accidents more likely. To be safe, buy a breathalyzer to test your alcohol level at home when you wake up; if it's over the legal limit of 20mg/100ml, don't hit the road. If you really need to go out, take a Didi or the bus—spending a bit more money is better than taking the risk. Don't underestimate this small detail; your health is your greatest asset.
