The culture of craft beer is about community and celebration, and tastes that you really enjoy. You go to your local brewery, your favorite place, are at a festival, or you are organizing a beer tasting night with your friends, you are certain that you cannot do without beer. But it is essential to be accountable and understand your capabilities, particularly in terms of driving under the influence. These are three things that all craft enthusiasts must know before driving.

You Can’t Feel Your Own Impairment

Consuming alcohol blurs your mind about yourself. This is because alcohol may lead to muddiness of mind, lowered inhibitions, and increased risk-taking behavior. This may occur in a bar where one has taken 5 drinks, but believes that they can drive home. Things are a bit different in real life, though, you find them talking slurry, walking slowly, or half unsure of themselves. Unfortunately, the other individual is ignorant of it.

Alcoholic drivers make the road zigzag, drive slowly or recklessly, neglect the traffic lights, and approach other cars very closely. In case of drunk driving accidents, the aftereffects may be extremely brutal to the victims: traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, damage to the spinal cord, permanent scarring, and even death. That is, in case they are somehow involved in an accident, it is always good to refer to a personal injury attorney to get an idea of how to do it.

Your Body Metabolizes Alcohol Slower Than You Think

The majority of beer lovers do not necessarily know that a double IPA will not have the same impact as a light beer. It is the issue of thinking that everything is all right after having a couple of drinks that results in stupid choices on the road. You have a fixed rate of one drink an hour, which is not dependent on your mood. A single glass of 12oz of 5% beer has ABV, and most craft IPAs tend to range between 6 and 8%. It implies that your favorite hop bomb has more booze in it than your brain thinks. The thing is that the way you perceive being intoxicated is not as fast as the actual impairment, and all this can lead to everything.

To remain safe, begin to count the number of drinks you have taken. That even applies to those seemingly small samples you try at a tasting event; they add up quickly. A good rule to follow is that one craft beer (12 ounces at standard strength) is equal to one drink, but then you have your decadent stout or your double IPA, which should rack up 1.5 to 2 drinks instead. Use a designated driver before you go out, and don’t do it halfway through the night. Keep in mind that it’s a good idea to alternate every alcoholic drink you have with a glass of water; you’ll feel much more in control when you absolutely have to sit behind the wheel.

Know the Legal and Financial Reality of Impaired Driving

Most people think a DUI conviction is only about jail time, but there are also attorney expenses, fines, alcohol education classes, loss of your license, and increased insurance rates to consider. Sometimes, you may also end up losing your job if your company requires you to have a clean driving record. If you’re intoxicated or stoned and cause an accident, the consequences escalate quickly. 

You have to face criminal charges, but victims of serious drunk driving accidents may even pursue civil claims for lost income, medical bills, and pain and suffering. It gets even worse when punitive damages are added to the equation. The awards tend to be six figures or higher, depending on injuries that result from such negligent acts. If someone is killed, you may have to deal with a wrongful death lawsuit. Avoiding this is simple: don’t drink and drive.

Drink Smart, Get Home Safe

Craft beer culture is truly amazing, but you just can’t afford to ignore the responsibility that comes with drinking. Even though basic vehicle safety features such as properly maintained brakes, tires, and a LED headlight for car can improve visibility, they never make impaired driving safe. 

Understand your limits when it comes to drinking, don’t ignore what others tell you about your condition, and always remember that there are serious consequences of impaired driving. The best experience is the one where everyone gets home in one piece and has memories the next day.