The unfortunate reality for drivers is that what they consider to be impaired may not be the same as what the state considers to be impaired. This often leads to people who think they’re “sober enough” finding out that they’re over the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit.
After all, the legal limit is just 0.08% in terms of Blood Alcohol Concentration. It may be far easier to reach that mark than you ever assumed.
Where does one drink put you?
Let’s start by considering one drink. Many drivers believe that it’s fine to drive after drinking just this solitary drink. If you’re a woman who weighs 100 pounds, though, that one drink means you’re likely already at 0.05%. A man may be slightly less, but could still be at 0.04%.
How much does it take to get to 0.08%?
Of course, 0.05% is still below the limit for non-commercial adult drivers. But if that same man and woman had two drinks, he would be at 0.09% and she would be at 0.10%. They’d both be over the limit, and it didn’t take much at all.
A drinker’s weight also matters. For the sake of comparison, a 160-pound man would need three drinks to get right to the legal limit. But it’s still much closer than a lot of people assume when they go out for a “few drinks with friends” and then drive home.
Are you facing drunk driving charges?
If you have been arrested for drunk driving, you’re likely concerned about your future. Be sure you look into all of your legal options for a solid defense. An experienced attorney can guide you.