Can I Have Just One Drink and Be Safe to Drive?
Many drivers ask the same question after a night out: Can I have just one drink and be safe to drive? In Colorado, the answer isn’t as simple as it seems. Even one beer, glass of wine, or mixed drink can affect your ability to drive and may put you at risk of a DUI accident, depending on your body weight, alcohol tolerance, and how quickly you drink.
Understanding the legal alcohol limit in Colorado—and how it applies to real-world driving—can help you make safer choices before getting behind the wheel.
Colorado’s Legal Limit for Alcohol
Colorado law sets the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit at:
- 0.08% for a DUI (Driving Under the Influence)
- 0.05% to 0.079% for a DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired)
Even if your BAC is below 0.08%, you can still face charges if law enforcement believes that alcohol impaired your ability to drive safely. That means one drink might be enough to put you at legal risk depending on your individual factors.
What Counts as “One Drink”?
A standard drink in the United States is roughly:
- 12 oz. of beer (5% alcohol)
- 5 oz. of wine (12% alcohol)
- 1.5 oz. of distilled spirits (40% alcohol)
But alcohol content can vary. A craft beer with 8% ABV or a mixed drink with multiple shots counts as more than one drink. Even one strong beverage can quickly raise your BAC, especially if you haven’t eaten or are smaller in body weight.
How Alcohol Affects Driving Ability
Even low levels of alcohol can reduce your reaction time, impair judgment, and affect coordination.
Some effects that may occur after just one drink include:
- Slower decision-making
- Reduced focus on the road
- Overconfidence behind the wheel
For some drivers, one drink won’t push them past the 0.08% legal limit, but it might still impair their ability enough to justify a DWAI charge.
Can You Be Arrested After Just One Drink?
Yes. In Colorado, you can be arrested and charged with a DWAI even if your BAC is between 0.05% and 0.079%. If your BAC reaches 0.08% or more, a DUI charge can follow.
These offenses carry serious consequences, including:
- Fines and court costs
- Driver’s license suspension
- Increased insurance rates
- Possible jail time or probation
Whether or not you feel drunk is not what matters legally. It’s your BAC and your behavior on the road that counts.
Safer Options if You’ve Been Drinking
If there’s any doubt about whether you’re safe to drive, it’s always better to find another way home.
Consider:
- Using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft
- Asking a sober friend to drive
- Waiting until you’re certain your BAC is back to zero
Planning ahead is the best way to avoid making a decision that could cost you your license, your safety, or someone else’s life.
Contact our Denver Car Accident Attorneys at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers at (720) 613 9706
For more information, please contact the Denver car accident lawyers at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer.
We are located in Denver, CO, and proudly serve all of Denver County.
Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers
1610 Wynkoop Street, Suite 120.
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 613 9706
Find us with our Geocoordinates: 39.75208145814397, -105.00017355026108
About The Author
Kurt Zaner has earned national recognition for his innovative legal strategies, securing some of the largest verdicts in Colorado. He assists injured clients in Denver with personal injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, motorcycle accidents, and more. Click here to view some of the fantastic case results that Zaner Law has successfully handled.
Location: Denver, CO
