When we go out on the town, it is natural to indulge in an alcoholic beverage or more. While pleasurable, this activity can be dangerous. Drinking and driving often have tragic consequences.
It can be a challenge to know when we are too drunk to drive. Misjudging intoxication levels sometimes means the difference between life and death.
Blood alcohol measurements
Intoxication is a measure of blood alcohol concentration or BAC. In America, the limit is .08%. Some motorists, such as commercial truck drivers, must abide by even lower levels. For them, the standard set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is .04%.
Many factors determine how fast someone metabolizes alcohol. Generally, men tend to remain sober for longer than women. Also, eating while drinking means the person must consume more booze.
Blood alcohol measurements depending on weight
Weight changes how rapidly we become drunk. The heavier someone is, the more that person may imbibe before operating a vehicle.
As a rule of thumb, a man weighing 240 pounds can have three drinks before driving safely. A woman, though, has a limit of two. Individuals of both genders weighing only 100 pounds may only have one drink. Any more raises their BACs into territory that forbids them from hitting the roads.
Charts indicating how much drinking is allowable are only estimates, so use caution. A misjudgment could land an otherwise law-abiding citizen in legal trouble.
The law is tough on those who drive while drunk. Be positive you are under the legal limit before getting behind the wheel.