“Don’t mix ‘em”! Alcohol and driving are a “losing combination”. It’s no coincidence that legal limits are quite restrictive: according to current regulations, it is permissible to drive with a maximum blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.5 g/liter. For new drivers and drivers under 21, the law is even stricter: the limit is zero, meaning anyone who has consumed alcohol – even a very small amount – must not drive. A clarification: concerning alcohol consumption (and speed limits), one is considered a "new driver" for the first 3 years after obtaining a driver's license.
As is well known, alcohol affects various brain functions (perception, attention, reaction times, etc.), with different effects strictly related to the amount of alcohol present in the blood, i.e., the BAC. How much can we drink to avoid reaching the legal limit? Several factors come into play: weight, sex, type of drink, time elapsed since alcohol consumption, and alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme capable of breaking down the alcohol molecule before it enters the bloodstream. Each of us produces a different amount of this (useful) enzyme, which is why some people "handle" alcohol better than others; in general, women produce less of it. At this link from the Ministry of Health, you can consult tables describing the theoretical achievable BAC levels and the main symptoms associated with different alcohol concentration levels. We want to remind you that the first negative effects of alcohol are already observed below the legal limit, with values of 0.2 g/liter; so, maximum caution, and if you can, entrust the steering wheel to someone else!
