Why 0.08 for blood alcohol level

Friedman, Ph. Leslie Morrow, Ph. Kathleen K. Sulik, Ph. Search Search. The legal BAC limit of 0. Binge drinking is a pattern of drinking that raises the blood alcohol level within a short period of time. Though it varies from person to person, binge drinking is usually defined as four drinks for women and five drinks for men in a two-hour period.

Young children may get alcohol poisoning from drinking household products that contain alcohol, such as mouthwash, hand sanitizer, and certain cold medicines. These include:.

You or your child may also need this test if there are symptoms of alcohol poisoning. In addition to the above symptoms, alcohol poisoning can cause:. A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial.

You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This process usually takes less than five minutes. There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

Blood alcohol level results may be given in different ways, including percentage of blood alcohol content BAC. Typical results are below. The timing of this test can affect the accuracy of the results. A blood alcohol test is only accurate within 6—12 hours after your last drink. Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.

Any detectable blood alcohol content is a violation for individuals under the age of When alcohol is consumed and absorbed into the bloodstream, it travels throughout the body and to the brain, affecting many cognitive functions and the ability to perform physical tasks. Driving skills can be impaired long before someone reaches the legal limit, but at 0. Many factors determine your blood alcohol content and the level of impairment you may be experiencing.

On an individual level, there is variance due to your weight, body fat percentage, hydration, digestion, and how alcohol affects your body chemistry. The alcohol content of the drinks you have consumed, the spacing of the drinks, and the amount of time that has passed since consuming the drinks all influence BAC.

Use of medications and other drugs can affect how much impairment alcohol produces. For example, a pound woman can reach a 0. A pound man can be at 0. A "drink" is either one shot of liquor, a five-ounce glass of wine, or one beer. These estimates should always be used with caution because of the variation in measures and alcoholic content of drinks within different classes of alcohol.

For example, some craft beers have twice the alcohol as the typical can of beer, and you may be drinking a full pint 16 ounces rather than the 12 ounces found in a can. Enforcing the legal blood alcohol content limit is important for public safety, but you must use caution anytime you consume alcohol and then drive.

You will have some impairment from the first drink and it is always best to avoid driving after you have taken a drink. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Governors Highway Safety Association. BACtrack Keychain. Compare Breathalyzers Compare All. Social Responsibility. In an era of heightened awareness about the perils of drinking and driving, the decimal 0. When your blood alcohol content BAC is 0.

For example, in Texas, if you have alcohol in your system, and especially if you have a BAC of 0. You would only get a DUI if you were under 21 with any amount of alcohol in your system.

Calculating Your BAC. Self-assessment As you imbibe alcoholic beverages and approach the 0. Breath Testing Commercially available breath testing units are the most reliable way to measure your BAC.