| It is important to keep track of not only the number of | | | | beer is often served in a 12 oz glass, sometimes it can |
| drinks you consume on your night out, but also the | | | | be served in 16, 18, or 22 oz glasses, depending on the |
| type of drinks. Different types of alcoholic drinks vary | | | | establishment. |
| in their alcohol content and thus some drinks can | | | | - One 4 oz glass of wine. Most wines have similar |
| cause greater levels of intoxication than others. Before | | | | alcohol contents, and a 4 to 5 oz glass is the |
| you make the decision to drive home after your night | | | | equivalent to one standard drink. A wine cooler |
| out on the town, it is important to evaluate how much | | | | contains the same amount of alcohol as one glass of |
| alcohol is actually in your system in order to determine | | | | wine |
| if you are legally allowed to drive. | | | | - One shot of 80 proof liquor. 80 proof liquor is 40% |
| Even if you feel that you are sober enough to properly | | | | alcohol by volume. Most whiskeys, vodkas, rums, and |
| operate your vehicle, a police officer may still pull you | | | | tequilas are 80 proof, although some can vary, such as |
| over under the suspicion of driving under the influence | | | | "151" rum, named for its proof. |
| of alcohol. If the officer asks you the number of drinks | | | | Although standard or traditional recipes for certain |
| you had earlier, he or she may assume that you have | | | | mixed drinks do exist, most mixed drinks are highly |
| consumed much more alcohol than you actually have. | | | | variable in their alcohol content. Different |
| A person who had three mixed drinks consumed | | | | establishments use different amounts and types of |
| much more alcohol than did someone who drank three | | | | liquors in their mixed drinks. While one bartender may |
| beers. Remember that the officer may use any | | | | use one shot of an 80 proof liquor in a particular drink, |
| statement you make against you in order to charge | | | | another may use two shots along with another type |
| you with a DUI. | | | | of liquor. Therefore, not all variations of the same drink |
| Normally, one standard drink is defined by charts and | | | | have the same alcohol content. |
| statistics as: | | | | By being mindful of how much alcohol is likely in each |
| - One 12 oz. beer. Many beers contain around 5% | | | | drink you consume throughout the night, you can better |
| alcohol, although others vary in their alcohol content. | | | | make an informed decision about your ability to drive. |
| Some specialty beers can have an alcohol content | | | | For more information about issues related to DUI |
| that ranges from 12% to more than 20% alcohol, while | | | | charges, visit the website of Rhode Island drunk driving |
| light beers often contain less than 5% alcohol. While | | | | attorney James Powderly. |