Blood Alcohol Level
Alcohol consumption is a popular pastime for those relaxing after a long day. If you choose to participate with one drink or a night of heavy drinking, it is crucial to know the laws and potential consequences if you are arrested and found guilty of a high breath alcohol content.
The blood-alcohol level measures the amount of blood ethanol concentration in your bloodstream. Typically, the blood alcohol level is expressed as a percentage. For example, someone with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08% is considered legally intoxicated in most states.
How does Blood Alcohol Level Affect You?
The higher your blood alcohol levels, the more impaired you will be. You may experience problems with coordination, impaired judgment, slurred speech, emotional swings, delayed reaction time, behavioral changes, and problems with your vision. You may also feel drunker than you are, and in turn keep drinking.
Hard liquor has a higher percentage of alcohol than regular beer and red wine, and you will feel the effects sooner.
Binge drinking can cause a rapid increase in a person’s blood pressure. Although these levels differ from person to person, binge drinking generally includes four drinks for women and five drinks in two hours for males in general.
What Happens if you Exceed the Blood Alcohol Intoxication Limit?
If you exceed the blood alcohol levels limit in Idaho, or any state, you may be arrested for drunk driving after taking a blood alcohol test which checks the ethyl alcohol levels in your system. If you are found guilty, you may face fines, jail time, and loss of your driver’s license.
In many cases you will be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle for a set period of time.
Is it Illegal to Drink and Drive in Idaho?
Yes, it is illegal to drink and drive in Idaho. It is also illegal to operate a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol consumption. If you are caught driving drunk, you can be arrested and charged with DUI.
What is the Blood Alcohol Concentration for Minors?
The blood alcohol concentration for minors in Idaho (and most states) is .02%. This means that if you are under 21 years old and have a blood alcohol concentration of .02% or more, you are considered intoxicated and can be arrested for a DUI after performing a blood alcohol test.
Blood Alcohol Concentration Levels
Blood alcohol concentration BAC measures the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream. Blood alcohol content BAC is typically expressed as a percentage and can be done with either a breathalyzer or a blood alcohol test. For example, someone with a blood alcohol content BAC of 0.08% is considered legally intoxicated in most states.
The higher your blood alcohol content, the more impaired you will be. You may experience problems with coordination, judgment, and vision. You may also feel drunker than you are.
If you exceed the legal limit, and it was determined by either a breathalyzer or blood alcohol test, you may be arrested for drunk driving. You may also face fines, jail time, and loss of your driver’s license.
There is no such thing as a “normal” blood alcohol level, as the blood alcohol content can vary from person to person. However, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines blood alcohol content as follows:
– 0.02% or below is considered legally impaired
– 0.05% is considered moderately impaired
– 0.08% is considered severely impaired
– 0.10% or above is considered life-threatening
How can you Reduce your Blood Alcohol Content?
The best way to reduce your blood alcohol levels is to drink slowly and eat before drinking. The more food consumed, the better!
If you’re planning on drinking, it’s also a good idea to alternate alcoholic drinks with water or soda. It is not a good idea to drink on an empty stomach, as the alcohol concentrations accumulate rapidly and can lead to alcohol poisoning in a matter of hours.
Alcohol leaves the system at a rate of about 0.015% per hour. This means that it takes about 7 hours for your body to process alcohol in your system completely if you have blood alcohol levels of 0.08%. Keep in mind that this estimate is variable, mainly on the person’s body weight and composition.
What Should I do if my Blood Alcohol Levels are Above the Legal Alcohol Limit?
If you have been caught after a night of drinking alcohol and are concerned about your BAC levels, it’s a good idea to speak with an attorney. An experienced DUI lawyer can help you understand your rights and defenses in an alcohol intoxication case.
If you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence, it’s essential to speak with an experienced DUI lawyer as soon as possible. A qualified DUI lawyer can help you understand your rights and defenses in a drunk driving case.