| Many people understand that, with proper planning, it is | | | | standard pint of beer. However, beers can be highly |
| possible to go out and have a few drinks and still be | | | | variable in their alcohol content as well. Common beers |
| able to safely and legally drive home later. However, it | | | | contain about 5% alcohol, although this varies by brand |
| is important to understand that there are varying | | | | and brew. Some specialty beers can contain four |
| amounts of alcohol in different types of drinks, and | | | | times that amount of alcohol per volume. In addition, |
| therefore beers contain far less alcohol than three | | | | different bars may use different sized glasses. |
| mixed drinks. If you plan on going out and know that | | | | Finally, mixed drinks are the most variable in the |
| you must drive home later, it is important to keep in | | | | amount of alcohol they contain. These drinks vary |
| mind not only the number of drinks you have | | | | depending on the drink recipe used. One drink from |
| consumed and the timing between them, but also the | | | | one bar may contain two or three times the alcohol of |
| amount of alcohol contained in each of your drinks. | | | | a drink by the same name at a different bar. |
| What is considered "a drink?" | | | | Therefore, if you have been drinking mixed drinks, it is |
| Different drinks contain different amounts of alcohol, | | | | difficult to determine how much alcohol you have |
| and it is difficult to define one standard drink. Usually, | | | | actually consumed. |
| one shot, one glass of wine, or one beer all contain | | | | If you are planning on driving home later in the night, it is |
| about the same amount of alcohol. Most liquors, | | | | important to fully understand how much alcohol you |
| including vodka, whiskey, rum, and tequila, are about | | | | have consumed and if you are making a smart |
| 40% alcohol by volume. However, certain varieties | | | | decision. The best decision is always to either |
| contain more alcohol, such as "151" rum, which is 75% | | | | designate a sober driver, take public transportation, or |
| alcohol by volume. Everclear and grain alcohol are | | | | plan to spend the night at a friend's house. However, if |
| 95% alcohol by volume, so a shot of these alcohols is | | | | you must drive home, remember to plan accordingly |
| more than twice as potent as one shot of a standard | | | | and never make unsafe decisions. |
| liquor. | | | | To learn more about drunk driving laws, visit the |
| A glass of wine or a pint of beer as also often | | | | website of Rhode Island drunk driving defense |
| considered one drink. Most 4 oz. glasses of wine and | | | | attorney James Powderly. |
| wine coolers have similar amounts of alcohol as one | | | | |