Social rules about drinking make 5 p.m. the standard time when it is broadly acceptable to begin enjoying drinks socially on a weekday. For many working professionals, stopping for a drink or two after a hard day’s work is part of their regular routine. They may unknowingly put themselves at risk of arrest when they drive home after a few drinks.
Professionals may agree to go out for a drink after work with teammates or even clients. Others decide to stop off to take advantage of happy hour specials after a long day at work. Regardless of why people choose to enjoy alcoholic beverages after work on their way home, they could put themselves at risk of a driving under the influence (DUI) charge.
Professionals who feel sober enough to drive could fail chemical tests and end up prosecuted as a result. Numerous factors contribute to make an after-work drink especially risky. Why do those enjoying a cocktail or a beer after a first-shift job face increased risk of DUI charges?
The risk of elevated impairment
Several factors can increase the extent of the impairment a motorist experiences while enjoying an after-work drink. It may have been five hours or more since their last meal. Drinking on an empty stomach tends to lead to a more pronounced feeling of impairment as opposed to drinking with food in the stomach.
Additionally, the well-known afternoon energy slump many first-shift professionals experience can exacerbate the impact of impairment even if they only have one or two drinks. Finally, the pressure to drink rapidly and get home quickly could lead to professionals experiencing a rising blood alcohol concentration after they finish drinking, with impairment setting in while they are on the road.
It is also worth noting that there may be more officers on traffic patrol during the afternoon rush hour. The overall density of vehicles on the road and the frequency of misconduct during rush hour may mean that officers are more assertive about initiating traffic stops when they notice questionable conduct on the road.
Professionals accused of DUI offenses are at risk of criminal and career consequences. Identifying risk factors can help people avoid DUI arrests or respond more effectively to pending DUI charges after a rush hour traffic stop.
