Introduction
Drunk Driving and Buzzed Driving both involve driving under the influence of alcohol. Drunk driving has become a major issue in our society, with a high number of accidents and fatalities occurring as a result. Recently, there has been confusion between the terms buzzed driving and drunk driving, as they have been used interchangeably in commercials.
The Difference Between Buzzed and Drunk Driving
Buzzed is another word for drunk, indicating that a person is under the influence of alcohol but still has better control compared to someone who is completely drunk. Buzzed can be considered a lesser degree of drunkenness. However, commercials on TV have been implying that buzzed driving is the same as drunk driving.
According to legal experts, a person can have a buzz from consuming alcohol and still be within the legal limit to be charged with a DUI. It is possible to have a buzz from steady drinking over time. However, someone who is heavily intoxicated would need to consume a significant amount of alcohol to reach the legal BAC (blood alcohol concentration) limit of 0.08.
While someone with a buzz may not be severely impaired and can still drive at a permissible skill level, the same cannot be said for someone who is drunk. A person who has reached the legal BAC limit is much more likely to experience impairment, whereas a buzzed person is still within the legal limit and should not be unfairly charged with a DUI.
In conclusion, buzzed driving refers to driving after consuming alcohol but still being below the legal limit to be considered a drunk driver.
Key Takeaways
1. Drunk driving and buzzed driving are two terms used to describe driving under the influence of alcohol.
2. Buzzed driving is a synonym for drunk driving but refers to a lesser degree of intoxication, where the person is still in better control than a completely drunk person.
3. Legally, a person can have a buzz from alcohol consumption but still be within the legal limit to be booked under DUI (Driving Under the Influence). However, someone who is drunk and has reached the legal limit is much more likely to feel impaired while driving.
 exceeding the legal limit, typically 0.08%, resulting in severe impairment on motor skills, judgment, and reaction time, whereas buzzed driving refers to driving with a BAC below the legal limit but still under the influence of alcohol, causing minor impairment that can still compromise one's ability to drive safely, both behaviors are illegal and pose significant dangers on the road, potentially leading to accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. Learn the difference here.){kind=link}