Many college students in Minnesota are under the impression they must drink alcohol regularly to be in danger of getting DUIs. What they fail to realize is the majority of people who drink and drive are binge drinkers. It may seem fun for you to drink until you feel drunk with your friends, but the moment you get behind the wheel to drive, you are breaking the law.
Binge drinking and driving is reckless behavior that puts more than your life in danger. Your actions also endanger the lives of your passengers and every other motorist and pedestrian near you. It is important for you to understand that in the eyes of the law, it does not matter how many drinks you have.
Binge drinking effects are often magnified
You may not feel intoxicated right after a few drinks. However, it is possible for you to show signs of impairment right after your first drink. Slurred speech, delayed perception of time and events are often the first symptoms to occur. Too much alcohol consumption in a short amount of time can lead to alcohol poisoning and death.
Because binge drinking involves the consumption of several servings of alcohol within a short period of time, the effects are often far more serious. For example, drinking several bottles of beer in rapid succession can raise your blood alcohol content (BAC) well above the legal limit.
Binge drinkers are not aware of the dangers they present
It can also cause you to feel disoriented and dehydrated. You could pass out and lose consciousness while you are driving. Your driving actions may seem normal to you, but the moment traffic or DUI enforcement officers see you driving slowly and erratically on the roads, they will pull you over for the suspicion of intoxication and ask you to perform field sobriety tests to determine how intoxicated you are.
Binge drinking with your friend for a few hours of fun is not worth the risk of getting a DUI or the risk of poisoning and death. If you are of legal age to drink, practice moderation. If you are not, avoid alcohol and encourage your friends to do the same.
