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Understanding BAC and Levels of Impairment

May 20, 2020 by QuickStart Ignition Interlock
Blood alcohol content

Blood alcohol content (BAC) levels represent the percentage of a person’s blood that is concentrated with alcohol. Having a BAC of .10 means that at least .1% of your bloodstream is composed of alcohol. In many states, the legal BAC limit to operate a motor vehicle is below 0.08. Anything higher than 0.08 is considered legally impaired and can result in a DUI.

Blood alcohol content

Your blood alcohol content level measures the amount of alcohol in your blood that is traveling through your entire body, to every organ, including your brain. According to AwareAwakeAlive, having a BAC between 0 and 0.05% represents mild impairment and can include the following:

  • Mild speech, memory, attention, coordination, and balance impairments.
  • Sleepiness and perceived beneficial effects, such as relaxation.

Keep in mind, as blood alcohol content increases, so do impairment. Increased impairment levels begin to occur between 0.06% and 0.15% BAC, and can include:

  • Moderate memory impairments.
  • Vomiting typically occurs at this level — right around .120%
  • Significant impairments in all driving skills.
  • Perceived beneficial effects of alcohol, such as increased relaxation feelings.
  • Speech, attention, coordination, and balance further impaired.
  • Increased risk of aggression in some people.

Severe impairment occurs between 0.16% and .30%, and can include:

  • Speech, memory, coordination, attention, reaction time, and balance are significantly impaired.
  • Loos of consciousness in some people.
  • Judgment and decision-making dangerously impaired.
  • Vomiting and other signs of alcohol poisoning.

Unfortunately, many people continue to drink even past severe BAC levels, subsequently reaching life-threatening levels. A life-threatening BAC level is anywhere from 0.31% and above, and can include:

  • Loss of consciousness.
  • Significant risk of death in the majority of drinkers due to suppression of vital life functions.
  • The danger of life-threatening alcohol poisoning.

Though the legal limit is .08%, driving skills can be significantly affected after just a few drinks. Even 1 drink can impair someone who weighs around 120 pounds, giving them a .04% to .05% BAC level. Similarly, it takes a 200-pound man, on average, about 4 drinks to reach a BAC level of .08% and takes only 1.5 to 2 drinks for a 100-pound person to reach that level of impairment.

Drinking and driving remain a serious problem in the United States. No matter what, even if you think you have a full understanding of BAC levels, should operate a vehicle after drinking. Call a cab, get a car breathalyzer, or simply just stay where you are — do not drink and drive. Ever.

Category: General Information

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