Drinking and driving - never exceed the BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) limits for drivers

As with any other alcoholic beverage, the consumption of wine affects the capacity to perform certain activities, such as driving.

Absorption of alcohol

After an alcoholic drink is consumed, the alcohol is absorbed rapidly from the stomach and intestine into the bloodstream. The blood alcohol level after drinking a specific number of drinks depends on the rate of drinking and the rate at which it is broken down in the liver. The capacity of the liver to break down alcohol is limited, so that if there is more alcohol in the liver than it has capacity to break down, the remaining alcohol will circulate in the blood to other organs and tissues of the body, such as the brain. Alcohol usually starts to affect the brain within about 5 minutes of being swallowed.

The influence of alcohol on individuals will vary depending on the size, physical composition, gender, general health, metabolism, and/or the conditions under which alcohol is consumed (i.e. with or without food). For example, a woman’s BAC generally increases higher than a man’s because women tend to be smaller and have more fatty tissue per kg body weight than men. Men also have more body water, thus, alcohol is more concentrated in the blood of a woman consuming the same number of drinks as a man. In addition, women have leof the enzyme that metabolizes alcohol in their stomach and liver.

Because of the multitude of factors that affect BAC, it is very difficult to assess one’s own BAC or impairment. Alcohol steadily decreases a person’s ability to drive a motor vehicle safely. Listed below are some of the common negative consequences following the consumption of alcoholic beverages.