• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Monitech Ignition Interlock Systems

Monitech Ignition Interlock

North Carolina's leading Ignition Interlock provider

  • Interlock Basics
    • What is an Interlock
    • Interlock Cost
    • Special Offers
    • Interlock Videos
  • Locations
    • Service Centers
  • Partners
    • Refer A Client
    • Attorneys
    • Counselors
  • Customer Support
    • Contact Monitech Ignition Interlock
    • About
    • Refer A Friend
    • FAQs
    • Reviews
    • Mechanic Code Request
    • Blog
  • 800-521-4246

What Does .08 BAC Really Mean to a Driver?

October 4, 2016 by Editorial Staff

DUI Scale from .05 to .08Most people who drink think about just one number, if that: how many drinks they had. They might have an idea of how many drinks they can handle, and how many it takes before they are no longer capable of driving safely.

They’re usually wrong, but more about that later.

A more exact measurement of intoxication is blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Anyone who drives knows that the legal BAC limit in the US is .08. This means that the amount of ethanol in your system may not exceed .08 grams in 100 milliliters of blood, or .08 grams in 210 liters of breath.

But that’s still a number, and for many, a more vague one than the tally of drinks. What does it mean?

How Many Drinks to Reach .08 BAC?

Every person’s metabolism is different, and a drink that might just relax one person might incapacitate another. Generally, size, gender and age will all figure into it. The old rule is 2-3 drinks for a 120-pound woman, and 3-4 for a 160-pound man. Many factors can throw off those numbers, though. Food eaten, the time taken with each drink, and physical condition can all influence how drunk a person gets.

Symptoms at .08 BAC

A person with a BAC of .08 will occasionally stumble when they get up from a table, though not inevitably. They might forget things. Usually they’ll be in a good mood – the expression “feeling no pain” probably originated at this blood alcohol level.

People at .08 are uninhibited; they do things they might not do while sober. They might pat a friend on the back just because they like them, or tell a joke that would be beyond the pale if alcohol weren’t present.

None of these are the end of the world, and in truth, there are worse things than being .08 at a party (being .16, for instance).

Driving at .08 BAC

Get behind the wheel, and things change. Muscle coordination diminishes. For the record, muscle coordination is needed for braking and steering. Eye coordination – needed to follow other drivers and spot danger – is also weakened.

Reflexes are slowed at .08, so it might take a lot longer to hit the brake if you see a pedestrian walk out into the road. Hearing and sight are also worse at this level of impairment. You’ll also have lost some of your self-control, which means that bad decisions and impulsive reactions are more likely.

Too Generous a Standard?

There are those who argue that .08 is too high. And in fact, many countries around the world do employ lower BAC limits for drunk driving. Note too that you can be convicted of impaired driving even if your blood alcohol is lower than .08. If a police officer judges that you are impaired by the way you are handling your vehicle, you are liable for a DUI. In fact, many states have separate laws for driving while impaired and driving with a BAC of .08 or more.

And here’s the kicker: many people with an .08 BAC think they’re just fine to drive. Part of the reason is that alcohol, which makes you a bad driver, also makes you a bad judge of whether or not you’re a bad driver. It’s a paradox that costs thousands of lives every year.

The Key – Don’t Push Your Luck

A good-quality portable breathalyzer is not a bad idea for learning how your body racks up the BAC numbers. But take care: just because you are under the legal limit, you can still be much too drunk to drive. The safest bet is not to drive at all when you’ve been drinking. You’d be surprised how little alcohol it takes to cause one small slip – possibly a disastrous one. The smart move is to not try to beat the numbers.

Category: General InformationTag: Blood Alcohol Concentration

About Editorial Staff

The editorial staff is a group of writers and contributors with wide-ranging areas of expertise. The editorial staff provides news and analysis of topics that are focused on community and driver safety.

Previous Post: « 5 Tips for Getting Through Your Ignition Interlock Program
Next Post: 6 Ways to Prevent Your Teen From Getting a DUI don't let your teen drink and drive »

Free First Month

Call a North Carolina expert now at 800-521-4246 to claim your Free First Month!

Call Today
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Call Toll-Free

800-521-4246

Interlock Basics

What Is An Interlock

Interlock Cost

Interlock Videos

Locations

Service Centers

Partners

Refer A Client

Attorneys

Counselors

Customer Support

About

Refer A Friend

FAQs

Reviews

Mechanic Code Request

Blog

News

Copyright © 2023 Monitech, LLC.

Customer Support · Contact · ISO Certification