How do you know if you are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol?

Driving under the influence is primarily about impairment rather than just measurements or feelings of discomfort. While having a blood alcohol content (BAC) over 0.08% is a clear legal indicator of driving under the influence, impairment can occur at any level of alcohol or drug consumption. This means that even if someone has a BAC below 0.08% or doesn’t feel dizzy or disoriented, if their driving abilities are negatively impacted by substances, they are still considered to be driving under the influence.

The concept of impairment encompasses a wide variety of signs, including slowed reaction times, poor decision-making, and difficulty maintaining control of the vehicle. It is important to recognize that impairment affects an individual's ability to safely operate a vehicle, which is the key factor in determining if someone is driving under the influence.