If you are drinking and plan on driving later, there are a few things to remember before getting behind the wheel. Many people believe as long as their BAC is under .08 they are safe from a DUI arrest, but this is not true. Illinois law permits drivers to be on the road if their blood alcohol level is below .05-.08 if the driver is over 21 years of age. If you are pulled over with a BAC above .05 and you show signs of impairment, the police can arrest you for a DUI. So, before getting behind the wheel, consider what your BAC might be.
Counting Drinks
An easy way to determine your level of BAC is by counting drinks. Depending on your body measurements, alcohol tolerance, and other factors alcohol may hit you harder or you may not feel the effects right away. After one drink, your BAC is unlikely to rise past .01-.02, unless the drink is highly concentrated or large in volume. After 2 drinks, your BAC will likely pass .02 and after 3 drinks you will likely be close to the .05 point. If you have more than 3 drinks in a short time span, do not drive even if you “don’t feel it” As stated earlier, police can place you under arrest for driving with a BAC at or above .05 if they believe you are showing signs of impairment.
High BAC, High Chances Of An Accident
As your BAC climbs, so does your chances of getting into an accident. At a .04 BAC, your reaction times are slowing down, which means decision making is delayed. Past .05 and .06 a driver’s involvement in a fatal accident are twice as likely as non-drinking drivers. When a driver’s BAC meets or exceeds .08, that driver becomes 11 times more likely to be involved in a fatal single-car crash than non-drinking drivers.
Take-Home Message
If you have been arrested for DUI and/or were at fault for an accident, you likely need SR-22 insurance. Illinois law requires people with a DUI conviction to purchase Sr-22 insurance as a requirement. Sr-22 insurance is not actual insurance, but rather proof of financial responsibility, so you will still need a standard auto policy to drive legally.