The next time you ask for a mixed drink at a bar, keep in mind that diet sodas may cause your BAC to rise faster than drinks that are mixed with regular sodas. A study conducted by Northern Kentucky University shows that when people mixed vodka with a diet soda, they had BAC's that were 18% higher than those who mixed the same amount of vodka with a regular soda. This means that if you are driving after a couple of diet soda mixers, you may be arrested for a DUI, even though the same drinks with regular soda wouldn't have resulted in such a high blood alcohol concentration.

Men and women between the ages of 21 to 33 were involved in this university experiment. In all trials, those who drank diet soda with their vodka or rum registered a 15% higher BAC. The tests were taken 40 minutes after the men and women consumed their drinks. After three or four drinks mixed with diet soda, these subjects had a BAC that was above the legal limit for driving. This means that their BAC had already exceeded 0.08% at this point. Those who drank their cocktails with regular soda did not have a BAC above the legal limit, and would have been able to drive home without risking an arrest.

Only eight men and eight women were involved in this experiment, which was conducted three different times to ensure accuracy. While this study was small, it helped to reinforce concepts that were already discovered in other studies in the past. A study that took place in 2006 proved that artificial sweeteners that are found in most diet sodas speed up the absorption of alcohol. The stomach normally treats sugar-sweetened beverages, like a regular Coca-Cola, like food. This delays the stomach from emptying, and can lower the BAC.

Sugar-sweetened drinks slow the absorption of alcohol into the blood stream, but drinks with artificial sweeteners do not. Researchers say that diet soda mixers don't inaccurately represent a person's BAC, and in fact allow a closer-to-accurate reading. The issue is that sugar-sweetened drinks slow the absorption into the blood stream, allowing individuals to drink more without exceeding the legal limit. Another study on this same subject conducted in 2007 shows that alcohol is absorbed quicker into the blood stream when mixed with carbonated beverages, like soda. When alcohol is mixed with juices like orange or cranberry, the readings will be even lower.

This means that it is important to keep in mind not only how much you drink before driving, but what you drink. If you prefer a rum and Diet Coke, then you will want to remember that this will cause your BAC to register higher than if you choose a cranberry juice with vodka. Admittedly, it is wisest not to drink at all when you are driving, and to designate a driver when you are a bar or restaurant. You can also call a taxi cab or a friend to come and pick you up from the bar or restaurant.

If you are arrested for driving while under the influence, then you need to contact a local DUI attorney today for more information. With the right lawyer on your side, you will be able to create a defense and may be able to avoid penalties associated with a DUI offense. You have the right to an attorney, so make sure to hire someone who is capable of working hard to defend you. You may be able to argue that you were unaware that mixing the drinks that you did would create the level of intoxication you experienced.