blog home DUI What Factors Most Affect Your BAC?

What Factors Most Affect Your BAC?

By San Diego Attorney on May 1, 2022

BAC and legal driving limits

Blood Alcohol Content, or BAC, is the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood. It is based on how much alcohol has been consumed over a certain period of time, and how fast it is absorbed into the bloodstream.

The legal BAC limit for driving in the United States is 0.08%. This means that if you have 0.08% or more of alcohol in your blood system while driving a car, you can get arrested for drunk driving.

If you’ve been accused or arrested, get in touch with jD Criminal Defense Attorneys now.

Factors that affect your BAC

It is very important to understand how your BAC affects you, and also the factors that affect your BAC.

Body weight

The more you weigh, the more blood you have in your body, and therefore the more alcohol you can absorb.

Gender and age

Women generally have a lower body weight than men, which means they absorb less alcohol into their bloodstreams. And because younger people have smaller livers and less experience dealing with alcohol than older adults, they are more likely to become intoxicated faster.

Speed and quality of drinking

If you drink fast, your body absorbs more alcohol into your bloodstream. The same goes for the quality of the beverage, the smoother and more diluted an alcoholic drink is, the faster your body absorbs it into your bloodstream through your stomach lining.

Age

Older people tend to process alcohol more slowly than younger people.

Metabolism

Your body’s rate of absorption affects how quickly it absorbs alcohol as well as how quickly it gets rid of it from your system. If you’re a fast metabolizer, you may be able to drink more without getting intoxicated than someone who is a slow metabolizer.

The type of beverage

Different types of beverages contain different amounts of alcohol, and therefore have different effects on our bodies. For example, wine contains less than beer or liquor—so if you’re drinking wine with dinner, it’s going to have less of an impact on your blood-alcohol level than if you were drinking beer or liquor with dinner.

Penalties and dangers of driving intoxicated

Drunk driving is a serious offense that can have a lasting impact on you, your family, and the people around you.  Everyone found guilty of driving under the influence is subject to obligatory license suspensions under the drink driving legislation, as well as fines. A drunk motorist may also receive a prison sentence in more severe circumstances.

In addition to criminal penalties, there are also civil consequences for driving while intoxicated. If you are involved in an accident while intoxicated and someone is injured or killed as a result, you could be sued for damages. If you are injured by an intoxicated driver, you may be able to sue for damages as well.

How a lawyer could help you if you’ve been accused

If you’ve been charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI), it’s important to be proactive in your defense. A lawyer can help you discuss the facts of your case, determine the best course of action for your defense, and work with investigators to build a strong case on your behalf.

A lawyer will be able to explain what penalties you might face if convicted, and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process. For example, if it is determined that there was insufficient evidence to arrest you for DWI, then charges may be dropped altogether or reduced to a lesser offense.

If you’re facing DWI charges, an experienced attorney can help you understand your options and make informed decisions about how to proceed with your case.

Contact jD Law Criminal Defense Attorneys

If you’ve been accused of driving under the influence, or DUI, it’s important to understand what charges you’re facing and the consequences that could result from those charges.

An attorney at jD Criminal Defense Attorneys can help you understand your rights and options in this situation. We will work with you to build an effective defense strategy based on your own unique circumstances. Contact us at (760) 630-2000.