There are a number of ways to tell if a person has consumed a few alcoholic drinks, such as how he or she behaves. However, some people do not have to act drunk at all. They may develop a red flush on the face due to alcohol in their systems. If a New York police officer notices this red hue after pulling you over, the officer might take it as evidence that you have been driving while under the influence.
Medical News Today explains that alcohol contains ethanol, which the human body breaks down into substances called metabolites. When people only have a couple of drinks, generally these metabolites are easily processed and disposed of by the body. However, a person who has drunk too much alcohol or has a low tolerance for alcohol may have metabolites build up in the body.
The result is that blood vessels in the face will expand because of the presence of too many metabolites. That is what develops a red flush in the face. Sometimes the redness may be slight, while other people may have a deep red hue. This could happen if you consume any alcoholic drink, whether it is a beer, wine, or liquor. Sometimes this redness is accompanied by feelings of nausea and high blood pressure.
A red flush is not common to everyone who drinks alcohol. It is more common in men of East Asian descent. If it does happen, it does not necessarily mean that the health of the person is in danger. However, some studies have linked these red flushes to high blood pressure. The development of cancer as a result of excessive metabolites has also been suggested by some studies.
Because alcohol consumption could cause red flushes, it can be a problem if a police officer pulls you over. As FindLaw points out, the police will look for any kind of evidence that you have been driving while under the influence. They will not only look for how you drive and how you behave, but also how you look. If you have a red facial flush, they may link that to possible alcohol consumption and note it as evidence.