Most people associate DUI with late-night parties or bar-hopping. Well, a surprising number of DUI arrests actually occur during the daytime. This is ignorable because day drinking is often viewed as more casual or harmless. However, even if someone consumes alcohol in broad daylight, it can still impair judgment just as much as drinking at night.
Worse, people often underestimate their level of intoxication in the daytime, increasing their risk of getting behind the wheel when they shouldn’t. In fact, there are everyday habits that significantly raise the risk of a day-drinking DUI.
1. Drinking without eating enough
Most people often skip meals or eat too little, whether it’s:
- Brunch mimosas
- A few beers at a tailgate
- Cocktails at a pool party
Without sufficient food, alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly, leading to a faster and more intense buzz.
2. Misjudging alcohol content in “light” daytime drinks
Day drinking often involves beverages that seem lighter and less potent than nighttime options: think sangrias, spiked lemonades or spritzers. These drinks are typically:
- Served cold
- Taste sweet
- Go down easily
These characteristics can sometimes mask just how much alcohol these beverages contain.
3. Driving out of convenience instead of planning ahead
People often drive to social events thinking they’ll “just have one,” but end up drinking more than intended. Because it’s still daylight, they may not feel the same level of social pressure to call a ride or wait it out. This is especially true if they live nearby or feel obligated to drive someone else home.
This “I’ll be fine” mindset leads many into risky territory. Convenience should never outweigh safety, but it often does in the context of day drinking.
Day drinking doesn’t carry a lesser risk of DUI simply because it happens in the sun. In fact, it can be more deceptive and dangerous due to the casual attitude people often adopt. Motorists who get into DUI trouble due to day drinking should enlist legal guidance to get out of the murky waters with minimized penalties.
