As people prepare to ring in the New Year, many will choose to indulge with some alcoholic beverages. In addition to reminding people of the dangers of driving under the influence, AAA East Central also reminds motorists of the dangers of driving with a hangover.

“Driving hungover can be just as dangerous as driving after having a few drinks,” said Theresa Podguski, director of legislative affairs, AAA East Central. “After a night of drinking, many people will wake up with alcohol still in their blood, or they will wake up tired and disoriented.”

According to duijusticelink.aaa.com, a resource to help reduce impaired driving, the only thing that will sober somebody up is time. It can take between 75-90 minutes or longer for the body to eliminate the alcohol contained in one standard-sized drink, which is longer than many people would assume.

Risks

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, hangover symptoms peak when the blood alcohol concentration in the body returns to near zero. Symptoms can last 24 hours or longer, and can include:

• Fatigue and weakness

• Headaches and muscle aches

• Nausea and stomach pain

• Poor or decreased sleep

• Dehydration

• Vertigo

• Sensitivity to light and sound

• Anxiety

• Irritability

• Increased blood pressure

“We wouldn’t advise that anybody drives with any of these symptoms, regardless of whether they are recovering from a night of celebrating or not,” continued Podguski.