Driving under the influence leads to over 178,000 road accident cases annually in the US and around 47,500 deaths per year. With such alarming numbers, the government urges Americans to adhere to the required driving BAC levels. Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) measurement is mostly used by highway/traffic officers to monitor and capture DUI offenders.
However, checking BAC levels is still a new concept for most road users. Worry less, as the following article is an in-depth review of BAC levels and also helps you learn more about DUI laws. That said, let’s get into it.
BAC Levels: Overview
If you’re wondering, BAC levels are a form of measurement used to determine the amount of alcohol in someone’s blood system. A driver whose level is above the legal limit is answerable to the law and faces potential conviction/fines if proven guilty.
What’s the U.S.A BAC Standard Limit?
The standard BAC legal limit for the United States is between 0.08%-0.15%. Different levels determine a driver’s state of mind and how it affects their driving performance.
Here’s what the law states regarding different BAC levels:
● 0.02%-0.05%: Your judgment in road situations is slightly changed, which affects your muscle reaction.
● 0.08%-0.15%: You might not process things faster at these levels. Therefore, factors like speeding or changing lanes can be challenging. The 0.15% might leave you impaired to drive.
Determining BAC Levels
So, how can you measure the BAC of a driver? Below are the equipment and methods authorities or medical professionals use to measure BAC levels:
● Through blood or urine tests: Getting tested in a hospital for medical purposes can require blood and urine tests.
● Breathalyzer equipment: This is the equipment mostly used by highway officers. Also, it’s a simple and faster method compared to blood or urine tests.
● Alcometer and BAC track: The two work as a breathalyzer but are simpler in terms of their functionality and portability. Drivers can use them to track their levels while drinking with friends.
Reasons Affecting the BAC Readings
You might drink the same amount of alcohol with another person but have varying readings. Here are the factors that impact figures recorded on BAC equipment:
● Food intake before drinking: If you eat before drinking, digestion will delay alcohol absorption in your bloodstream. Additionally, the type of food matter with fatty contents takes extra time to digest.
● Alcoholic content in a drink: High alcoholic content will have high BAC levels.
● The drink type: Light types like fizzy drinks get absorbed faster.
● Your physique: Your body’s water content determines how fast you get drunk. Therefore, people who weigh more take more time to surpass the BAC legal limit.
● Drinking period: Drinking one beer in an hour has a different impact than doing the same in under 10 minutes.
● Metabolism rate: You can’t get drunk if you have a high metabolism rate.
Consequences of Exceeding BAC Levels in DUI Situations
Here’s what might happen if caught with exceeding the BAC limit:
● License suspension or revocation. Some states may offer hardship licenses (limited use) after the suspension.
● Jail time sentence: 6 months to 1 year.
● Fines ranging between $500-$2000.
● Forced to take DUI awareness classes.
● Probation with community work.
● Jeopardizing job positions. Employers might put you on the negative watchlist if you are reported for a DUI case.
Factors like jail term and fines charged depend on the damage caused while driving under the influence.
Conclusion
Drivers should understand the basics of BAC in DUI situations. Knowing the required alcohol limit helps you avoid trouble with the authorities. Importantly, you can eliminate the risks of causing gruesome accidents. To prevent such situations, get equipment like an alcometer to help you track your levels.