In Arizona, driving under the influence of alcohol or drug is a crime. As such, those who are found guilty of driving under the influence face AZ DUI charges such as monetary fines, license suspension or revocation, jail time, drug or alcohol counseling, and even the possibility of an ignition interlock device being installed on the vehicle.

Each of these consequences not only pose a significant inconvenience, but a DUI conviction can also affect your employment and it can bar you from being hired for certain jobs that require driving.

While Phoenix DUI lawyer may be able to help if you’ve been charged with a DUI, it is always best to be on the safe side as to avoid trouble.

The Waiting Period After Drinking and Before Driving

Arizona Revised Statutes 28-1381 identifies the blood alcohol level that an individual must be at in order to be considered as driving under the influence.

Under the statute, an individual can be charged with driving under the influence if the person has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more within two hours of driving or being in actual physical control of the vehicle.

If you are in a commercial vehicle, that level is reduced to 0.04%.

Currently, any trace of drugs found in your system can lead to a DUI Drugs charge.

While the general rule is that a blood alcohol level of 0.08% will warrant a conviction, you can still be accused of driving under the influence with a lower concentration.

You’ll just be considered “impaired to the slightest degree.”

To reach a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%, you need to take into account your own weight.

For example, if you weigh 100 pounds, then one serving of alcohol will put you at 0.08%.

One serving of alcohol is equivalent 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor.

Other factors that can affect your blood alcohol level are fatigue, food consumption, and medications.

As a result, rather than rely upon your own personal characteristics and drinking abilities to determine whether you are sober when you drive, the best thing to do is to wait it out before driving.

The Safe Level, According to the Law

The standard wait time after drinking and before driving is an hour after you’ve had one drink.

If you drink two servings of alcohol, then you should wait at least two hours before driving.

However, every body is different and the safest blood alcohol level to have when you drive is .00. So be safe and establish a zero tolerance policy for yourself.

If you find yourself in a situation where an officer pulls you over after you’ve had a drink.

Even though you may have waited and paced yourself, the officer may still accuse you of driving under the influence.

If you’ve been accused of driving under the influence, it is imperative that you ensure that you are represented by a quality dui attorney.

Your lawyer will be able to protect your interests and ensure that justice is served. For the best Phoenix dui attorneys, contact the Tyler Allen Law Firm today.

When is it Safe to Drive After Drinking?