Driving requires focus, quick reflexes, and good judgment. When alcohol enters the mix, even in small amounts, it can seriously affect a person’s ability to make split-second decisions and react to unexpected situations on the road.
Blood alcohol content (BAC) measures how much alcohol is in a driver’s system. While the legal limit in most states is 0.08%, impairment starts long before anyone hits that number. Here is a look at how blood alcohol content affects a person’s ability to drive.
What Is Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)?
Alcohol affects a person’s driving, and that can lead to an increased risk of car accidents. For many drivers, when they become intoxicated, their BAC levels will increase. But what does BAC measure?
BAC measures the amount of alcohol is in the bloodstream. It is expressed as a percentage. For example, a BAC of 0.08% equates to 0.08 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.
Along with a BAC, some other factors that can affect how alcohol impacts you, include:
- Your weight and body type: Alcohol affects smaller people more because they have less body mass to absorb it.
- Your gender: Women reach a higher BAC faster than men due to body composition and metabolism differences.
- How fast you consume alcohol: Chugging drinks will raise your BAC quickly, while spacing them out gives your body more time to process the alcohol.
- Food intake: Drinking on an empty stomach leads to a higher BAC because alcohol enters your bloodstream faster.
Even if two people drink the same amount, their BAC levels can be completely different.
How BAC Levels Affect Driving Ability
For some, they might feel “fine” after a drink or two, but alcohol affects the brain before a person reaches the legal limit. At each BAC level, it can impact a person’s ability to drive:
“Buzzed” Stage
At 0.02%, a person might feel relaxed, but their judgment can start to decline. They may have difficulty tracking moving objects, like cars or pedestrians.
Even at 0.02%, the ability to drive safely is already compromised. People with this BAC have slower reaction times and are more likely to be in an accident than sober drivers.
“Tipsy” Stage
At 0.05%, reaction time slows down noticeably. Drivers may be unable to multitask, as even something as easy as steering while checking your mirrors becomes more difficult. While the affected might feel more confident, their coordination is worse.
The Legal Limit
At 0.08%, an individual’s muscle coordination is impaired. It can be harder to balance, see clearly, and react quickly. Their judgment is also worse, which can increase the likelihood of risky decisions.
At this stage, the ability to process information, like road signs or sudden stops, is much slower.
At 0.08%, a driver is legally intoxicated in most states. The likelihood of a crash is about four times higher than when you’re sober.
Dangerous Territory
Intoxication can go beyond the 0.08% limit. Anything higher will result in slurred speech and poor motor control. People at this stage have a reduced reaction time and depth perception. Most times, they have difficulty staying in the lane or braking when needed.
By the time someone hits 0.15% BAC, they’re 25 times more likely to be in a fatal crash than a sober driver.
The Myth of “Sober Enough” to Drive
Many people think they can sober up quickly by drinking black coffee, taking a cold shower, or eating a big meal. Not true.
Only time lowers your BAC. The human body processes alcohol at a fixed rate of about 0.015% per hour. If a person’s BAC is 0.08%, it will take more than five hours to become sober.
For most drivers, they may feel fine after a few drinks, but the alcohol is already impairing their judgment. Many drunk drivers do not realize they’re impaired until it is too late.
Why Even a Small Amount of Alcohol Can Be Deadly
Some people assume that they’re okay to drive if they’re under the legal limit. But even at a BAC of 0.02%, these drivers are more likely to make dangerous mistakes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that 2,337 people were killed in fatal alcohol-related crashes involving drivers with BAC levels between 0.01% and 0.07%, which is below the legal limit.
Driving requires a person’s full attention. Even small amounts of alcohol can take that away.
Reaction times slow, depth perception gets worse, and decision-making suffers. That’s why the best BAC for driving is always 0.00%.
Impaired Driving Leads to Tragic Results
Drunk driving is illegal and deadly. Even a low BAC can still increase the risk of causing an accident. Unfortunately, a single bad decision can change lives forever.
If that has happened to you, and you have been injured or lost a loved one, Forbes Law Offices can help.
We’re here to offer a free consultation about your situation.
