Eisenberg Law Offices, S.C. | January 6, 2026 | DUI Accidents
One of the most common questions people ask after enjoying a night out is: “Can I have just one drink and still be safe—and legal—to drive home?” In Madison, Wisconsin, the answer isn’t as simple as it seems. It depends on a variety of factors, including your body, what you drank, how fast you drank it, and Wisconsin’s DUI laws.
Whether you’re heading to the bars, a concert, or a dinner downtown, this post will help you understand the realities of drinking and driving in Madison.
In Wisconsin, like the rest of the country, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. For commercial drivers, it’s 0.04%, and for drivers under 21, it’s effectively zero tolerance.
It’s important to remember: “Just one drink” doesn’t guarantee a BAC under the legal limit. Even a single beer, glass of wine, or cocktail can raise your BAC enough to impair your driving.
The legal definition of a “standard drink” matters here.
One drink equals:
But many drinks served in bars are larger than a standard drink—think oversized pours, double shots, or cocktails with multiple liquors. So if you think “one drink” sounds small, it might actually be more than you expect.
Whether that single drink affects you enough to make driving unsafe depends on several personal factors:
For some, one drink may barely register a BAC that approaches legal limits. For others, especially lighter individuals or those drinking quickly on an empty stomach, that same drink can be enough to impair driving ability.
Even if your BAC is under 0.08%, alcohol can impair skills needed to drive safely—like reaction time, attention, coordination, and judgment. Research shows impairment begins with any amount of alcohol. This means you might be legally ok to drive, but still unsafe behind the wheel.
Here are some practical ways to assess whether you should drive:
When it comes to drinking and driving, if there’s even a small amount of uncertainty about your sobriety, the safest and smartest decision is to leave the keys behind and choose another way home.
If there’s any doubt, it’s always smarter to choose a safe ride home.
Madison has several options:
Waiting it out is also an option—a sober friend picking you up later, or staying over with someone you trust.
Driving under the influence comes with serious consequences, even for first-time offenders.
These can include:
These penalties affect your freedom, finances, and future opportunities—and that’s assuming no injuries occurred. If someone is hurt, the legal and civil consequences escalate dramatically.
The truth is, there’s no clear-cut answer to whether you can have just one drink and still be safe to drive in Madison. When in doubt, the safest choice is always to avoid driving altogether and use a ride alternative.
If you or a loved one is facing DUI charges in Madison, contact Eisenberg Law Offices, S.C. for a free consultation to understand your rights, options, and the best path forward.
We proudly serve Dane County, Jefferson County, Sauk County, Rock County, Columbia County, and their surrounding areas.
Eisenberg Law Offices S.C. – Madison
308 E Washington Ave
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 256-8356
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