Driving Hungover Can Be Just As Dangerous As Driving Drunk

ERIE (Erie News Now) – AAA is reminding folks to think twice before getting behind the wheel this New Years Eve. 

In addition to the dangers of driving under the influence, AAA wants to remind folks of the dangers of also driving with a hangover. Triple a tells us the only way to help reduce impaired driving and to sober up… Is time. 

It can take an hour or longer for the body to eliminate a standard sized alcoholic drink….Which is much longer than many people would assume. 

“There’s no excuse for drunk driving,” said Jim Garrity, Director of Public Affairs at AAA says. “It’s not something that you can say ‘I’ve only had a couple of drinks’ because even a couple of drinks can be impairing. Even one drink can be impairing, which is why we at AAA say don’t get behind the wheel with any drinks in your system.” 

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, hangover symptoms peak when the blood alcohol concentration in the body returns to near zero. Symptoms can last 24 hours or longer.