Blood Alcohol Content Measures Level of Impairment

• December 5, 2022
• Automobile Accidents

In 2023, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths – that’s one person every 42 minutes. Your level of impairment is measured by what is referred to as blood alcohol content, or BAC. Alcohol affects judgment, reasoning, reaction time, and muscle coordination — all essential for safe driving. This FAQ provides clear, straightforward answers to common questions about BAC and impaired driving.

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If you have been seriously injured in a car accident caused by a drunk or impaired driver, contact the law office of Nash & Franciskato for a free, no-obligation review of your case.

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Quick Facts

• A person is considered legally intoxicated at a .08 BAC.
• Alcohol is quickly absorbed and can be measured within 30 to 70 minutes after a person has had a drink.
• A BAC of 0.10 means that an individual’s blood supply contains one part alcohol for every 1000 parts blood.
• With a blood alcohol level of 0.10 or higher, a person is at risk for having a blackout.
• Drivers with a .08 BAC level are approximately four times more likely to crash than those with a BAC of zero. Those with a .15 BAC are at least 12 times more likely to crash.
• The only thing that will sober you up to a BAC of 0.0% is time. Drinking caffeine or taking a cold shower may make you feel more alert, but you are still impaired.

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Blood Alcohol Content and Impaired Driving

What is a BAC?

Blood alcohol content, or BAC, is a measurement of the percentage of alcohol that’s in your bloodstream after you’ve been drinking. As your BAC increases, so does the level of alcohol-related impairment you will experience.

Does the type of alcohol (i.e., beer vs. wine) matter?

No. A drink is a drink whether it is beer, wine, or hard liquor.

One Standard Drink

• One 12 oz. regular beer (4.5-6% alcohol)
• One 5 oz. glass of wine (12% alcohol)
• One 1.5 oz. shot of hard liquor (40% alcohol)

More Than One Standard Drink

• One 16 oz. cup of beer = 1.4 drinks
• One 40 oz. beer = 3.6 drinks
• One 12 oz. glass of wine = 2.9 drinks
• One 12 oz. margarita = 2–4 drinks, depending on ingredients

What affects your BAC?

BAC rises at different rates depending on factors such as:

• Number of drinks consumed (i.e., the more you drink, the higher your BAC)
• How fast you drink (i.e., BAC rises faster when drinks are consumed quickly vs over a longer period of time)
• Body weight and biological sex
• Food in your stomach (i.e., absorption will be slowed if you’ve eaten)
• Medications and more

Questions? Call us at (877) 284-6600.

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When is a person considered impaired? How will you know?

Alcohol steadily decreases your ability to drive a motor vehicle safely. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect the brain and your ability to drive; however, signs of impairment will present differently for each person.

At just a .02 BAC level, there is some loss of judgment, a decline in visual functions, and a decline in the ability to perform two tasks at the same time.

At 0.0%, there is no alcohol in your blood, you are sober.

At a .05 BAC level, it gets harder to focus your eyes, judgment is impaired, and you have a lowered alertness level. What this means when you are behind the wheel:

• Reduced coordination
• Reduced ability to track moving objects
• Reduced response to emergency driving situations.

At a .08 BAC level — when you are considered legally intoxicated — muscle coordination is impacted, which includes speech, vision, reaction time, and hearing; and judgment, reasoning, and memory are also impaired. When behind the wheel, this means:

• Critical driving tasks are significantly impaired (i.e., braking, steering)
• The ability to handle several tasks at one time is significantly reduced
• The ability to detect danger is severely reduced
• Impaired judgement and perception, which can lead to speeding and erratic lane changing
• Slower reaction time and a decrease in coordination

How to Stay Safe When Drinking

The safest choice is never to drive after drinking. Plan ahead:

• Designate a sober driver
• Use a taxi, Uber, or other public transportation
• Call a friend or family member
• Always wear your seat belt – it’s your best defense against impaired drivers

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Injured by a Drunk Driver? We’re Here for You.

If you’ve been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by an impaired or legally intoxicated driver, call Nash & Franciskato at (877) 284‑6600. We have a If you’ve been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by an impaired or legally intoxicated driver, call Nash & Franciskato at (877) 284‑6600. We have a successful track record of helping accident victims collect the compensation they deserve.

You’ll speak directly with a member of our experienced team for a free, no‑obligation case evaluation.

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on December 5, 2022. It was reviewed on December 19, 2023, July 17, 2024, and December 20, 2025.