Ask a Trooper: Alcohol takes time to leave the body
Published 9:54 am Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Sgt. Troy Christianson
Minnesota State Patrol
Question: After a night of drinking with my friends, I was arrested the following morning for DUI on my way home. How is this possible?
Answer: When I worked the road in a college town this was a common occurrence on weekend mornings. College kids would consume high volumes of alcohol and not allow enough time for all the effects to wear off.
Sgt. Troy Christianson
Ask a Trooper
Minnesota State Patrol
Below are the basics about alcohol in your system, but keep in mind there are some factors that change absorption rate: weight, amount of food, and male or female.
•The most important thing to know is that alcohol only leaves your system with time. The “average” alcohol dissipation in humans is said to be about 0.015 percent per hour. A cup of coffee or a few hours of sleep will not dissipate alcohol faster; one drink will leave your system in approximately one and one-half hour. Now “one drink” is not a three or four shot Martini or a long pour cocktail. One drink for this formula is: one 12 oz. domestic beer, 4 oz. of domestic wine, or one shot [oz.] or less of 80 proof alcohol in a cocktail. If you go beyond this definition of “one drink” more alcohol will be in your system and more time will be needed before it leaves your system.
•If you drink heavily and go to sleep for only a short time before heading out in the morning, alcohol will still be in your system and you are most likely impaired, thus, you are at risk for crashing and hurting yourself and/or others. Often, in these scenarios, fatigue is also a huge factor. Sleep with alcohol in your system is not good sleep and fewer than seven or eight hours a night is not recommended if trying to avoid fatigue.
There is no magic pill to take -only time will get the alcohol out of your system and it is important to consider this when making your plans and designating your sober driver. There is zero tolerance for impaired drivers on our roadways.
If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson — Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th ST NW, Rochester, MN 55901-5848. Follow him on Twitter @MSPPIO_SOUTH
