Impaired Driving: What You Need to Know
Impaired driving is currently the leading cause of death in motor vehicle crashes. Impaired driving is a problem at all times and days of the week. “Driving Under the Influence” is defined as operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, other drugs including cannabis (marijuana) prescribed for medical purposes, or intoxicating compounds and methamphetamine. In Illinois, a driver is legally considered to be under the influence if he/she has a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or more, has used any illegal substance, or is impaired by medication.
Mind-Altering Substances to Avoid While Driving
Alcohol is not the only drug that can affect our ability to drive. There are numerous other substances that impair driving — many of which you might not even know about.
- Depressants. Depressants slow down the central nervous system. A driver can experience slower reaction time, reduced alertness, impaired coordination and depressed motor skills. Examples of depressants include: alcohol, barbiturates and tranquilizers.
- Narcotics. Narcotics are a depressant that evoke a feeling of euphoria. A driver may suffer visual impairment, loss of concentration, slower reaction time and impaired motor skills. Examples of narcotics include: heroin, morphine.
- Stimulants. Stimulants speed up the central nervous system. A driver may notice emotional and psychological effects such as overreacting, aggression, hostility, impatience or impulsiveness, as well as impaired coordination. Examples of stimulants include: caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines and cocaine.
- Hallucinogens. Change the way a person thinks, sees and acts. These are called “mind-altering” drugs. Drivers may experience visual distortion, aggressiveness, violent behavior, time or distance distortion, short-term memory loss and slower reaction time. Examples of hallucinogens include: marijuana, hashish, LSD and PCP.
The most commonly used substance is alcohol. As a driver, you need to know what BAC is and be aware of how it personally affects you. A driver’s BAC is based on the ratio of alcohol to blood or breath. However, an individual with a BAC between .05 and .08 may be convicted of DUI if additional evidence shows the driver was impaired.
The effect of alcohol on an individual is determined primarily by two factors:
- The amount of alcohol consumed.
- The rate at which it is absorbed by the body. Gender, body weight, alcohol tolerance, mood, environment and the amount of food in the body specifically relates to absorption.
From the first drink, alcohol affects coordination and judgment. The risk of being in a crash begins to climb with a BAC between .04 and .05 and increases rapidly thereafter. By the time a driver reaches a BAC of .06, he/she is twice as likely to be involved in a fatal crash as a non-drinking driver. By the time a driver reaches a BAC of .08, he/she is 11 times more likely to be killed in a single-vehicle crash than a sober driver.
Common Misconceptions of Alcohol Consumption
The only way to rid the body of alcohol is time. It takes about one hour for the body to metabolize one drink. Some common misinformation is that certain items/foods can sober a person up enough to drive.
Some common myths include:
- Getting fresh air
- Consuming a cup or two of coffee
- Taking a cold shower
- Eating food
- Drinking glass after glass of water
- Vigorous exercise
While some of these may slow absorption or eliminate a very small amount of alcohol from your system, none of them will make you sober enough to legally drive. Absolutely zero of them will make you a safer driver.
What’s the Legal Limit for Drivers Under 21?
.00. That’s right, none for you. Drivers under age 21 face a minimum 2-year driver’s license revocation for a first DUI conviction in addition to the penalties that apply for DUI offenders age 21 and older. For offenders under age 18, it’s a little different. Those under 18 on a statutory summary suspension are not eligible for an MDDP and may be subject to remedial education and/or retesting prior to reinstatement of his/her driving privileges. You may also be ordered by a judge, as a condition of probation or discharge, to participate in the Youthful Intoxicated Driver’s Visitation Program.
Remember, even if you are not driving a vehicle your license can be revoked if you are charged with an alcohol or drug related offense. Any person under age 21 convicted of violating the Liquor Control Act for the illegal purchase, possession, receipt or consumption of alcohol will have his/her driving privileges suspended for 6 months for a first conviction, 12 months for a second conviction and revocation of driving privileges for a subsequent conviction.
Sober Driving is Safe Driving
Driving is a privilege, not a right. If involved in a personal injury or death crash, law enforcement has probable cause to believe you were impaired and must request a drug or alcohol test. If you refuse a breath test or if an officer believes that a blood test may disclose the presence of drugs, you may be held financially liable and face DUI charges.
Interested in learning more? Click here to check out our full list of Top Driver safe driving tips.
Frequently asked questions
What's the legal BAC limit in Illinois?
In Illinois, a driver age 21 or older is legally considered under the influence at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher. Illinois law also covers impairment by any illegal substance, cannabis (including medically prescribed marijuana), prescription medication, methamphetamine, or intoxicating compounds. A driver with a BAC between 0.05 and 0.08 can still be convicted of DUI if other evidence shows impairment. For drivers under 21, the legal limit is 0.00. Any detectable alcohol can trigger a DUI. By the time someone reaches 0.08, they're 11 times more likely to die in a single-vehicle crash than a sober driver.
What's the legal alcohol limit for drivers under 21 in Illinois?
Zero. Illinois enforces a 0.00 BAC limit for drivers under 21, so any amount of alcohol can result in DUI charges. A first DUI conviction for an under-21 driver triggers a minimum two-year driver's license revocation on top of the standard adult penalties. Drivers under 18 face additional consequences: they're not eligible for a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) during a statutory summary suspension and may be required to complete remedial education or retesting before reinstatement. Judges can also order participation in the Youthful Intoxicated Driver's Visitation Program.
Will coffee, food, or a cold shower sober me up enough to drive?
No. The only thing that lowers your BAC is time. Your body metabolizes roughly one standard drink per hour, and nothing changes that rate. Coffee, cold showers, fresh air, water, exercise, and eating are all common myths. At best they might make you feel slightly more alert while still being legally drunk and just as dangerous behind the wheel. Plan ahead: arrange a ride, designate a sober driver, use a rideshare, or stay overnight. If you've been drinking, assume you can't drive until enough hours have passed.
What types of substances besides alcohol can cause impaired driving?
Four categories cover most of them. Depressants like alcohol, barbiturates, and tranquilizers slow reaction time, alertness, coordination, and motor skills. Narcotics like heroin and morphine cause visual impairment, slower reaction time, and loss of concentration. Stimulants including caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine speed up the nervous system and can lead to aggression, impatience, and impaired coordination. Hallucinogens such as marijuana, hashish, LSD, and PCP distort perception, time, and distance, and impair memory and reaction time. Prescription medications can also impair driving even when used legally.
Can I refuse a breath test if I'm pulled over in Illinois?
You can refuse, but doing so triggers automatic consequences under Illinois implied consent laws, including a statutory summary suspension of your driving privileges. If you're involved in a crash that causes injury or death and law enforcement has probable cause to believe you were impaired, they must request a drug or alcohol test. Refusing a breath test or a blood test that an officer believes will reveal drugs can lead to financial liability and DUI charges. Driving is a privilege in Illinois, not a right, and that privilege comes with consent to testing when impairment is suspected.
At what BAC does crash risk start to climb significantly?
The risk of a crash begins to rise at a BAC between 0.04 and 0.05 and increases rapidly from there. At 0.06, a driver is twice as likely to be involved in a fatal crash as a non-drinking driver. At 0.08, the legal threshold for adults in Illinois, they're 11 times more likely to be killed in a single-vehicle crash than a sober driver. Coordination and judgment are affected from the very first drink. Factors like gender, body weight, tolerance, mood, environment, and food in the stomach all influence how alcohol is absorbed, which is why two people drinking the same amount can have very different BACs.
Can my license be revoked if I'm not driving but caught with alcohol underage?
Yes. In Illinois, anyone under 21 convicted of violating the Liquor Control Act for illegal purchase, possession, receipt, or consumption of alcohol will have their driving privileges suspended even if a vehicle wasn't involved. A first conviction brings a 6-month suspension, a second conviction brings 12 months, and any further conviction results in revocation of driving privileges. The lesson for under-21 drivers is direct: alcohol-related charges of any kind put your license at risk, on or off the road.
