Breath-Alcohol-Content

Why does Think Twice focus on 0.02% - 0.08% BAC?

DUI Prevention Alcohol Education

First, 0.08% breath-alcohol-content is the legal baseline set by the States to arrest a person who is guilty of DUI regardless if his or her ability to drive is lessened to any appreciable degree (except Utah 0.05% BAC effective 2019). More importantly, 79% of vehicle crashes that result in death or injury involve a driver who is 0.10% BAC or higher. DUI prevention starts with alcohol education before a person is intoxicated.

There is NO LEGAL Alcohol LIMIT TO DRIVE!

Breath-Alcohol-Content & Breathalyzers

Any level of alcohol consumption can result in a DUI arrest and law enforcement has the authority to remove anyone from the road who is visibly impaired. This is why DUI prevention and alcohol education are connected. When a person drinks alcohol, it is digested and absorbed into the blood, which carries it through your body and into your brains and lungs.

Breath-Alcohol-Content (BAC) measures how much alcohol is in the air you breathe out. Breathalyzers can be a tool for the public to prevent drinking and driving and the justice system to enforce DUI laws.

It is the personal responsibility of each individual to understand how their body reacts to alcohol. Gender is a major factor and the charts below show how alcohol is absorbed differently by men and women. The "Intoxication vs. BAC" info sheet assumes that if a man and women are the same size and consume the same amount of alcohol, other factors like age or body type will increase or decrease breath-alcohol-content.

It is important to note it takes one hour for the last drink to metabolize and register on a breathalyzer at the highest possible BAC.

Best Practices for DUI Prevention and Awareness

a) Make a PLAN! Figure out logistics before the party starts. Be realistic. 

b) Leave vehicles at home prior to drinking alcohol.

c) Count drinks: what is the alcohol by volume (ABV)?

d) Understand BAC: Body Mass Index (BMI), gender, age, eating food, carbonated drinks, rate of consumption, and total number of drinks…are all factors that influence BAC levels.

e) Assess behavior: stressed, sad, depressed, angry, tired and medication all effect intoxication.

f) The rate a person drinks alcohol is a major factor: celebrations, tragedy, or the need to “catch-up” can lead to an increased rate of consumption.

g) Time, food, and water are the best options for an intoxicated guest.

h) It’s 10AM, do you know your BAC? The morning after drinking many people get a DUI on the way home despite leaving their vehicle parked all night.

i) Own and understand how to operate a breathalyzer device.