What is Blood Alcohol Level?

Your blood alcohol level is a number that represents the amount of alcohol in your blood. It is a measurement that determines how many grams of alcohol per hundred grams of blood are in your body. This number gives a fairly accurate idea about your ability to properly handle certain tasks, especially driving. This is also known as your BAC or Blood Alcohol Content. While any amount of alcohol can negatively affect a person's driving ability, all 50 states have agreed that a blood alcohol level or BAC of .08 which is .8 grams of alcohol for every 100 grams of blood, renders a person criminally irresponsible if they drive. Minnesota was the last state to adopt the new national standard and up until 2005 had the higher limit of .10 or 1 full gram of alcohol per 100 grams of blood.

You might wonder what effect different blood alcohol levels have on a person and their ability to perform certain activities. Studies have shown that persons with a blood alcohol content of between .01 and .04 begin to show signs of decreased self awareness often known as loss of inhibition. This affects their ability to reason and affects the judgments a person makes. This level occurs after just 1 or 2 typical drinks. After 3 or 4 drinks the blood alcohol level rises to between .05 and .08 motor and sensory areas of the brain are affected and this causes a decrease in fine motor skills and the ability to respond. The person also becomes louder and has a false sense of being more capable than he or she truly is, therein lies the danger of drinking and driving at this stage. The person usually believes they are "fine" to drive when in fact their ability to respond properly to driving situations is greatly reduced. If a person continues to drink and consumes between 5 and 7 drinks their alcohol levels rise to around .09 to .15 and their balance, motor skills and judgment are severely impaired. The person is now visibly "drunk" and has trouble even walking a straight line. This person is extremely dangerous behind the wheel as their reaction time is very, very slow. Drinking beyond this point can lead to unconsciousness and even death.

Aside from the natural consequences of consuming too much alcohol including nausea, headaches and regret over indiscreet behaviors, there are severe penalties for drinking and driving in every state including the more severe consequences in states such as Minnesota. Loss of driving privileges, hefty fines, and possible jail time await those who engage in such behaviors. Persons foolish enough to receive multiple offenses will suffer greater consequences including prison time of up to 7 years and fines as high as $14,000. It is important to know one's personal limits and if consuming large quantities of alcohol is something you are bent on doing, you should make arrangements to get a ride home in advance. Since we have seen that judgment is affected after as little as one drink, you should not wait until after consuming alcohol to decide how you will be getting home that night. A little thought and preparation can make the difference between a carefree evening and a huge mistake that will affect your life forever.

Contact Meshbesher & Associates today at 612-332-2000 for a free, no-obligation consultation.