How many hours after drinking can you drive on the road?
2 Answers
You can drive on the road at least 20 hours after drinking. Here are the details: Principle: Under normal circumstances, the human body can metabolize about 10 to 15 grams of alcohol per hour. A pound of white liquor is 500 grams, with an alcohol content of about 200 grams. Based on metabolizing 10 grams of alcohol per hour, it would take at least 20 hours. To be on the safe side, and because the body contains a large amount of alcohol, reaction ability is impaired at this time. If you force yourself to drive, it can easily lead to traffic hazards or accidents. Penalties for drunk driving: In 2021, if you drive after drinking, you will be penalized with 12 demerit points, a downgrade in license, a six-month suspension of your driving license, and a fine. If you are caught driving under the influence of alcohol again, you will be sentenced to up to 10 days of detention, fined, have your driver's license revoked, and be prohibited from obtaining a license for two years. If you drive a commercial vehicle under the influence of alcohol, you will be sentenced to 15 days of detention, fined, have your driver's license revoked, and be prohibited from obtaining a license for five years. If drunk driving causes a major traffic accident that constitutes a crime, you will be banned from driving for life.
When I first got my driver's license, I made a mistake—I drove three hours after drinking a glass of red wine, feeling sober but suddenly dizzy on the road, almost causing an accident. Since then, I've learned my lesson: alcohol elimination depends on individual metabolism rates, which vary from person to person. Beer metabolizes at about 15 mg per hour, while hard liquor is slower. If you've only had one bottle of beer, wait at least 6 to 8 hours to be safe; for one or two shots of hard liquor, it's best to wait over 12 hours. Don’t rely solely on feeling fine or waiting until the dizziness fades—alcohol residue can impair reaction time, especially when driving at night. I always keep a portable breathalyzer in my bag for peace of mind. Remember, safety always comes before rushing—otherwise, an accident could harm both yourself and others.
