What signifies that you are driving under the influence?

Driving under the influence is primarily defined by having a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) that exceeds the legal limit established by law. When a person has a BAC over this limit, it indicates that their ability to operate a vehicle safely has been impaired due to alcohol consumption. This impairment affects judgment, coordination, reaction time, and overall driving capabilities, greatly increasing the risk of accidents.

While other factors, such as having an open container or driving with a flat tire, may indicate unsafe driving conditions or legal infractions, they do not directly equate to being under the influence of alcohol as defined by BAC levels. Driving below the speed limit does not provide any indication of sobriety and may even occur due to various unrelated factors. Therefore, having a BAC over the legal limit is the definitive sign that a driver is operating under the influence of alcohol.