How Can Blood Alcohol Concentration Affect DUI Arrests and Charges?

 Posted on December 22,2022 in Criminal Defense

Drunk or intoxicated driving is illegal. The use of alcohol or other intoxicating substances can significantly affect a person's ability to operate a vehicle safely. A person who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol is much more likely to be involved in a car accident that could result in the injury or death of others. Because of these risks, police officers may pull over drivers who appear to be intoxicated, and if they have probable cause to believe that a person has violated the law, they may perform an arrest, and the person may be charged with driving under the influence (DUI).

However, many people are unsure about how much alcohol they will need to drink to be considered legally intoxicated. An understanding of the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels that people are likely to experience after consuming alcohol and the effects that this can have on them can help people know when they are intoxicated and when they may face DUI charges if they drive after drinking.

Intoxication at Different BAC Levels

A report by toxicology experts at Robson Forensic provides some illumination on how people are affected when they consume alcohol. Notably, women will typically become intoxicated more quickly than men when drinking. This is because women usually weigh less, and their bodies have higher levels of fat, which affects their ability to absorb alcohol into their systems.

A person's ability to drive safely will begin to be impaired once they have a BAC of .02 percent. This level is usually reached once a man has had around two drinks or a woman has had around one drink. A BAC of .05 percent may be reached after around three drinks for a man or two drinks for a woman, and at this point, a person may not notice any outward signs of intoxication. However, their judgment will be affected, and they may also experience issues such as delayed reaction times.

The legal limit for BAC is .08 percent, which is reached after around four drinks for men or three drinks for women. At this level, it may still be difficult to detect obvious signs of intoxication, although people will often experience euphoria, increased levels of self-confidence, loss of inhibitions, limited ability to pay attention to what is happening around them, and a lack of judgment and control. At this level of intoxication, drivers are 10 times more likely to be involved in car accidents than people who are sober.

A person will usually be visibly intoxicated when they reach a BAC level of around .15 percent. This level of intoxication will usually occur for men who have had around seven drinks and women who have had four to five drinks. At this point, people may experience emotional instability, problems with memory and comprehension, limitations on their perception of what is happening around them, loss of bodily coordination, slurred speech, impairments to balance, and drowsiness. Drivers at this BAC level are 78 times more likely to be involved in accidents.

Contact Our Hartford DUI Defense Lawyer

If you are arrested for drunk driving, you may face a number of serious consequences. A DUI conviction may result in large fines or a prison sentence. Even if you are not convicted of DUI, you may face a driver's license suspension and be required to use an ignition interlock device in your vehicle. By understanding how your BAC will be affected as you consume alcohol, you can avoid the possibility of drunk driving. If you have been arrested for DUI, Woolf Law Firm, LLC can help you understand your legal options, and we will work to minimize the potential consequences you may face. Contact our Connecticut DUI defense attorney at 860-290-8690 to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help with your case.

Sources:

https://www.robsonforensic.com/articles/blood-alcohol-concentration-expert-witness

https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/licenses-permits-ids/license-suspension/driving-under-influence?language=en_US