There are a lot of myths surrounding drinking and driving. One of the most common is that one drink an hour will keep your BAC below the legal limit but is this true? Let's take a look.
What Is the One Drink an Hour Rule?
Many people follow the "one drink an hour rule" to avoid going over the blood alcohol content of 0.08%. Essentially, the one drink per hour rule means that as long as someone only consumes 1¼ ounces of hard liquor, one beer, or one glass of wine and no more over the course of an hour, then they are safe to drive.
However, while this rule has a catchy name and seems reasonable, it may not be as successful as you may think. Let's take a closer look at why the one drink rule may not be so effective.
Unique to You
The most important thing to understand about blood alcohol content (BAC) is that while there is a legal limit, the amount of alcohol it takes to reach it may vary. Every body is different, and everyone has different body chemistry. These two factors are crucial in how quickly your body can digest substances.
One way to understand body composition and chemistry is with prescription medications. If you've ever been prescribed medicine or an antibiotic, you know that your doctor gives you a certain amount of dosages per day. This is based on your body's ability to break down the chemicals inside the medication and your body composition, i.e., weight, height, body fat, etc.
Another way to look at this principle is by observing your friends or family members and how they eat. You probably know someone who seems to have an endless appetite, but they stay lean no matter how much they eat. Generally, these people have a higher metabolism which means they can eat the same amount of food as someone else but digest it faster.
Based on the above examples, it's clear that everyone has a different relationship with digestion and metabolism. Both of these factors not only determine how quickly you can digest food but also alcohol. People with a higher metabolism may be able to process alcohol more quickly, which means it may take more drinks to get drunk. On the other hand, body fat and height may also make someone more of a "heavyweight" drinker than their peers.
Ultimately, there are no hard and fast rules for how the human body processes substances like alcohol. Your ability to imbibe and process a drink or two is entirely unique to you.
Not All Alcohol Is Created Equal
In addition to basic body mechanics, different alcoholic drinks affect us differently. You may be able to drink a beer or two and go about your business, but hard liquor like vodka may make you feel "drunker" faster.
There are also alcohol "characteristics" for a reason. For example, tequila is generally thought of as the party liquor, while wine is more of a moody, relaxing drink. How potable alcohol may be to you can play as much of a role in the "one hour one drink" rule as your actual tolerance level.
Unfortunately, one of the methods people may use to drink and drive "responsibly" is based entirely on how they feel. In other words, if an individual doesn't "feel" drunk, they're OK to drive. However, this couldn't be more wrong (or dangerous). As mentioned in the previous section, your body processes alcohol differently, and some drinks may be more effective than others.
While a mixed drink on vacation may not "feel" very alcoholic, your ability to drive may say otherwise. Whether you are charged with a DUI depends on your actual blood alcohol content, NOT how drunk you may or may not feel.
Takeaway
The key to drinking and driving is: don't. Your body will process alcohol differently than your drinking buddies, and while you may not feel drunk per se, your BAC could land you in serious trouble. If you plan on drinking, drink responsibly by scheduling a designated driver. Regardless of whether you drank one drink in the last hour or more, it's always best to err on the side of caution.
FAQs
The liver metabolizes alcohol at a very constant rate, approximately one drink per hour. If there is excessive alcohol in the blood, the liver cannot speed up the detoxification process. The unmetabolized alcohol just continues to circulate in the bloodstream.
Is 1 drink per hour accurate? ›
Your body can process one standard drink per hour.
By keeping count, you'll know when you've reached your limit. Use a buddy system to help keep track. Avoid drinking games, even virtual ones, since they encourage drinking too much too fast.
Can you have one drink every hour? ›
An average, healthy body can only break down around one standard drink per hour. If you choose to drink alcohol, take your time! Older people are more likely to have a higher BAC because they process alcohol slower and have less body water.
How long does it take for 1 standard drink to leave? ›
The liver is the main body organ that removes alcohol from your bloodstream. Alcohol is processed at a fixed rate. It generally takes about one hour to break down the alcohol content of one standard drink.
How long should I wait to drive after drinking one beer? ›
Remember: the “one hour” rule means wait one hour per beverage, not wait 60 minutes after five hours of beer and co*cktails. While the best option remains not to drive at all after drinking, you might want to consider taking the bus in to work or carpooling with a coworker the following morning too.
What is the 2 3 drink rule? ›
Many suggest limiting alcoholic beverage consumption to three a day while other clinicians may subscribe to the “1-2-3 rule” meaning one drink a day, no more than two at once, and no more than three times a week.
Is 6 beers in 4 hours a lot? ›
For example, if you weigh 120 pounds and drink six beers in four hours, your BAC will be around . 11, which is well above the legal threshold. On the other hand, if you weigh 180 pounds and drink six beers in four hours, your BAC will be around . 06, which is below the legal limit.
What is the 3 drink rule? ›
Viral '3 drink theory' describes the ultimate beverage trifecta. "Caffeinate, alleviate, hydrate." It's a way of life.
How long until my BAC is 0? ›
While your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) can rise quickly, BAC goes down at a slow and predictable rate. The average body will metabolize between . 015 and . 020 BAC per hour (that's 4-5 hours to zero for someone at .
Can the body eliminate about one drink every hour? ›
The liver metabolizes alcohol at a very constant rate, approximately one drink per hour. If there is excessive alcohol in the blood, the liver cannot speed up the detoxification process. The unmetabolized alcohol just continues to circulate in the bloodstream.
This means, for every standard drink you have, it will take one hour for your BAC to go back to 0.00.
Which organ oxidizes alcohol? ›
Alcohol Metabolism
Although the liver is the main organ responsible for metabolizing ingested alcohol, stomach (i.e., gastric) ADH has been reported to contribute to FPM.
Do alcoholics metabolize alcohol differently? ›
Research shows that alcohol misuse and alcohol-related problems are influenced by individual variations in alcohol metabolism, or the way in which alcohol is broken down and eliminated by the body.
Is 2 beers drunk driving? ›
An average man weighing 180lbs who has two 12 ounce beers would expect to reach a peak BAC of only 0.043%. An average woman weighing 160lbs would expect to reach a peak BAC of 0.057%. Keep in mind, this does not mean that you wouldn't be arrested or even charged with DUI at these levels.
How long should you wait to drive after one drink? ›
It's never a good idea to get behind the wheel after drinking, but a commonly accepted rule is to wait one hour for each drink. So, if you've had three co*cktails during a night out with friends, wait about three hours before you consider driving.
Am I good to drive after one drink? ›
But even small amounts can impair your ability to drive safely. Knowing your why for drinking, and how alcohol impacts your mind and body can help you make informed decisions about driving after a night out. The best solution is to not drink at all when you know you're going to be driving.
Is it true or false an average person can eliminate 1 ounce of alcohol per hour? ›
Its toxic effects vary considerably from person to person, and is influenced by variables such as gender, body weight, rate of consumption (time), and total amount consumed. The average, healthy person eliminates pure alcohol at a fairly constant rate. That is about 1/3to 1/2 oz. of pure alcohol per hour.
How much can you safely drink per hour? ›
Drinking at shorter intervals is more effective than drinking large amounts infrequently. Do not drink more than 48 oz (1½ quarts) per hour! Drinking too much water or other fluids (sports drinks, energy drinks, etc.) can cause a medical emergency because the concentration of salt in the blood becomes too low.
How long does 1 standard drink stay in your breath? ›
How long does alcohol stay on your breath? Alcohol is detectable on your breath for 12 to 24 hours after drinking.
What is the 0 0 1 3 drinking rule? ›
The formula was 0-0-1-3, which meant zero drinks if underage, zero drinks if driving, no more than one standard drink per hour, and no more than three drinks per occasion.
