A 3-minute lesson from the New Mexico course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Alcohol is involved in about 40% of the traffic crashes in which someone is killed. It hits judgment first, so by the time you feel impaired, it's too late, like a sunburn. There is no safe amount of alcohol for driving.
About 40%
Share of fatal traffic crashes that involve alcohol
Alcohol goes from your stomach to your blood and reaches your brain in 20 to 40 minutes. It slows reflexes and reaction time, reduces clear vision and alertness, and hurts judging distance, speed and control.
Your body gets rid of one alcoholic drink per hour. Coffee, fresh air, exercise or cold showers won't sober you up; only time will. Use a designated driver, public transportation or a cab.
Drinking drivers risk heavy fines, higher insurance rates, loss of license and jail. Later DWI convictions bring bigger fines, more jail time and longer revocation.
You're 19 and had one beer an hour ago. Under 21 you can be arrested with a BAC of just .02%, and at your age you may not drink or possess alcohol at all. Don't drive.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What is the BAC arrest threshold for a driver 21 or older in New Mexico?
0.08%
0.10%
0.05%
0.02%
Answer: 0.08%
You can be arrested for driving with a BAC of .08% or more.