How many hours after drinking alcohol can you drive a motor vehicle?
2 Answers
You must wait at least 24 hours after drinking alcohol before driving a motor vehicle. Here are the details: Time regulation: The duration for driving after drinking varies among individuals. From the perspective of alcohol metabolism, driving 24 hours after drinking is relatively safe. Reactions differ from person to person after drinking, and driving under the influence is strictly prohibited. Generally, the liver's function in breaking down alcohol involves a chemical reaction that processes approximately 10-15 grams of alcohol per hour, using ethanol decomposition. To ensure safety, you must wait until 24 hours have passed, ensuring that the alcohol is completely metabolized and you are fully sober. Penalties for drunk driving: According to Article 91 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol results in a six-month suspension of the motor vehicle driving license and a certain fine. If penalized for drunk driving once and caught again, the offender faces up to ten days of detention, a certain fine, and revocation of the motor vehicle driving license.
I've been driving for over 20 years and have encountered many drunk driving cases. To be honest, there's no universal sobering-up timetable. The human body's alcohol metabolism rate varies tremendously. After drinking two beers, a robust young man might metabolize it in four hours, while a frail person might need seven or eight hours. You're only considered safe when the alcohol concentration drops below 20mg/100ml, but home breathalyzers often give inaccurate readings. The safest approach is to avoid drinking before bedtime because metabolism slows during sleep. If you drink at dinner, don't drive until the next afternoon. I've seen cases where people who drank beer at noon still tested positive for alcohol by evening.
