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How Many Drinks Is Too Many?

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Drunk driving is more common during the holidays. In order to have an incident-free season, you should inform yourself on how many drinks is too many to drive safely.

Understanding Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

A person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measures the percent of alcohol in the bloodstream. It’s a metric used to determine whether someone can drive a vehicle without being impaired by alcohol.

All 50 states have a legal BAC limit of 0.08%. This means your BAC may not exceed this amount while driving. Otherwise, you may be charged with a DUI. Additionally, commercial drivers face a stricter limit at 0.04%, and those under the age of 21 often have a “zero tolerance” amount.

Different types of drinks have varying levels of alcohol in them. Some are stronger than others, which means you could consume one glass of a certain drink and get as intoxicated as you would after drinking three glasses of a different drink. In general, the following count as “one drink”:

  • 12 ounces of beer, or one bottle at 5% alcohol
  • 8 ounces of malt liquor at 7% alcohol
  • 5 ounces of wine at 12% alcohol
  • 1.5 ounces of hard liquor, or one shot, at 40% alcohol

Your weight and height often determine how many drinks you can consume before becoming too impaired to drive. A taller and heavier person, for example, may be able to consume more alcohol before exceeding the 0.08% BAC limit than a shorter, lighter person.

For instance, a person who weighs 150lbs may be able to consume two to four drinks (over a matter of hours) without exceeding 0.08% BAC, while a person who weighs 200lbs may be able to consume three to six with the same effects.

Injured by a Drunk Driver? Contact Us Today

If you or someone you love has been injured by a drunk driver, our Pittsburgh personal injury attorneys can help you seek justice. We understand the devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences of a drunk driving accident, and we’re here to help you through it.

Call Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. at (844) 383-0565 to schedule a free consultation.

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