Attending a concert is often an exhilarating experience due to energy pulsating from the crowd and electrifying music. If you’re like most concertgoers, the celebratory atmosphere may incentivize you to indulge in a few drinks.
Of course, it’s perfectly fine to enjoy yourself responsibly when you are at a concert. However, it’s important to recognize when you’ve had too much to drink and should not get behind the wheel. Learning how to tell when it’s time to find an alternative to driving home can help keep you and those around you safe.
Difficulty keeping track of your drinks
If you can’t recall how many drinks you’ve had, that is a clear sign that you’ve lost control of your alcohol consumption. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines binge drinking as consuming four or more drinks for women and five or more for men within two hours. Losing count of your drinks likely means that you’re nearing or exceeding these limits.
Impaired coordination or balance
Some physical signs of alcohol impairment you should not ignore if you’re drinking at a concert include struggling to walk straight, dropping your phone repeatedly and feeling unsteady on your feet. These issues don’t just affect your own safety on the road but can also make you a danger to others.
Slurred speech
If your friends are asking you to repeat yourself because your words are jumbled or unclear, that is a significant red flag. Slurred speech is one of the most noticeable indicators of intoxication.
Poor judgment or decision-making
Feeling overly confident about your ability to drive despite obvious impairment is a dangerous symptom of poor judgment that can be caused by alcohol. If you’re debating whether you’re sober enough to drive, it’s better to err on the side of caution and assume you’re not.
Physical symptoms
Physical signs of alcohol overconsumption can include flushed skin, excessive sweating and delayed reaction time. These symptoms indicate that your body is working hard to metabolize the alcohol you have consumed, which may compromise your driving ability.
Concerts are meant to be memorable experiences, but they can end with you facing DUI charges if you get behind the wheel with a significant concentration of alcohol in your body. In such a predicament, you should enlist thorough legal support to help ensure you don’t face harsh penalties.