A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 means that a driver is automatically considered too intoxicated to drive. However, many assume that it takes a considerable amount of alcohol to register such levels on a Breathalyzer.
How much do you really need to drink to meet the legal threshold?
The truth is that there may not be a definitive answer that would work for everyone. This is because everybody reacts differently to alcohol, and your BAC levels depend on several factors. For starters, beers and other alcoholic drinks have varying concentrations of alcohol. Other factors are outlined below.
Your physical attributes
Your age and gender influence your BAC levels. For instance, women tend to reach higher peak concentration levels than men given identical doses of alcohol. In addition, how fast you metabolize the alcohol will also determine your BAC levels.
Your rate of consumption
The faster you consume alcohol, the faster your BAC level rises. The liver can only metabolize alcohol at a certain pace, and if you drink at a higher rate than that, it can only mean more alcohol in your bloodstream.
Drinking on an empty stomach
Alcohol is absorbed in the stomach or small intestine, and if you had not eaten before drinking, your BAC levels would rise much faster.
Even if you feel sober, you may still be above the legal limit – but a single mistake shouldn’t be allowed to ruin your future. If you’ve been charged with a DWI, you owe it to yourself to explore all your legal defense options. There may be more available to you than you realize.
