New Year’s Eve has come and gone, but people still find reasons to party. Maybe they are celebrating a late holiday party, a new promotion or a graduation. Whatever the occasion, people often couple their celebrations with alcohol.
It takes a long time to get alcohol out of a person’s system
Even if an intoxicated person takes a cab home, he or she could still be a danger behind the wheel the next day. According to AAA Director Theresa Podguski, driving with a hangover can be just as dangerous as driving after consuming several drinks. Podguski states people often wake up with alcohol still in their system because it takes the body much longer to eliminate alcohol than many people may realize.
It takes about 75 to 90 minutes to flush the alcohol of just one drink from a person’s blood. For people who have consumed multiple drinks, it takes a long to eliminate all the alcohol from their systems.
A hangover can impair driving ability
Even the symptoms of a hangover affect a person’s driving ability. After blood alcohol has dropped, he or she may experience:
- Head and muscle aches
- Vomiting and nausea
- Tiredness
- Feelings of dizziness
- Weakness or shakiness
- Lack of concentration
People with these symptoms are dangerous because they are more likely to become distracted and miss important cues.
If you notice a driver you suspect is intoxicated, put as much distance between yourself and that vehicle as possible. You may also consider reporting the driver to 911.
After an accident, you may notice symptoms of a hangover or intoxication in the other driver. If you do, notify the police because the other driver likely should not have been behind the wheel. The driver’s negligent behavior is not your fault, and you can hold him or her accountable. If you were seriously injured in the accident, you deserve compensation for your injuries.