Blood Alcohol Content

Blood Alcohol Content – This refers to the alcohol amount in someone’s blood. It’s used to show how much alcohol is in the blood compared to the volume of blood in the body. People tend to become acquainted with the BAC after they are pulled over from drinking and driving or are involved in a collision.

Breathalyzer Test Can Give On Spot Results

A breathalyzer gives the officer an immediate analysis of what the suspect’s blood alcohol content is. If a DUI suspect has a blood alcohol content level of 0.08 or higher, he/she is deemed intoxicated and can be charged with a DUI for violating the law.

It’s important that people understand that breathalyzer test results can be skewered if the suspect recently threw up, has mouth sores or injuries in the mouth, is taking certain kinds of medications or dental caps or bridgework. Be sure you let the officer know about the conditions before you take the breathalyzer test.

How Alcohol Affects The Body

People react differently to alcohol based on several factors:

- Age
- Sex
- Ethnicity

Every one of these things will determine how slow or fast you show the effects of alcohol intoxication. Even if you’re less than 0.08 percent, you still experience a decrease in judgment, depth perception, peripheral vision and coordination. All of it can have a tremendous impact on your driving abilities. The blood alcohol content is a legal way to determine how much alcohol a person has in his/her system.

Some people can tolerate alcohol to a certain level and may not seem like they’re impaired like an inexperienced drinker will be. However, the blood alcohol content is a guideline to determine how drunk a person is. Bodyweight has a direct link to the number of drinks that will elevate the blood alcohol content level.

A small person will need just two drinks to throw them into unacceptable levels.  Drivers under 21 years of age are not supposed to drink in the United States. If they are caught drinking and driving with a BAC level of 0.01 to 0.05 percent, they will have their driving privileges suspended. Most states have no leniency for underage drinkers.

Other Ways To Determine The Blood Alcohol Content

Officers can also get the blood alcohol content level by testing the blood and urine. Like the breathalyzer test, there’s the possibility of variations in the results. And, the discrepancy can help form the drunk driving defense. Challenging these tests may lead to the dismissal of the case or sentence reduction. However, the majority of courts accept the findings as valid. The best way to keep your BAC level down is to limit the amount of alcohol you consume.

Now, you might have heard of the at-home breathalyzer, which claim can give accurate results on the blood alcohol content. The reality behind these models is that they do give false readings. Never rely on these readings to determine if you can safely get behind the wheel and drive. The results of these at-home tests are not admissible in court. The only results the court will look at are the urine and blood tests that were administered by an officer or medical personnel, as they give a more precise blood alcohol content level.

Of course, the only true way to avoid a DUI is to not drink and drive. And, if you drink, be sure you have a designated driver to take you hope.  You should also know tips on controlling BAC levels and what to do to keep your levels down before you start drinking.

Check out DUI First Offense and its penalties

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