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DWI > Alcohol Impairment Chart

Blood Alcohol Level Charts

Attorney Representation in Houston, Texas since 1992

This chart is intended as a guide, not a guarantee.

Alcohol affects individuals differently. Your blood alcohol level may be affected by your age, gender, physical condition, amount of food consumed and any drugs or medication you are currently taking. In addition, different drinks may contain different amounts of alcohol, so it's important to know how much and the concentration of alcohol you consume.

For purposes of this guide, "one drink" is equal to 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of regular beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.

The State of Texas has set a .08% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) as the legal limit for Driving While Intoxicated. For commercial drivers, a BAC of .04% can result in a DWI/DUI conviction nationwide.

IMPAIRMENT BEGINS WITH YOUR FIRST DRINK.
FOR SAFETY'S SAKE, NEVER DRIVE AFTER DRINKING!


Men
  Approximate Blood Alcohol Percentage
Drinks Body Weight in Pounds
  100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240  
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Only Safe
Driving
Limit
1 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Impairment
Begins
2 0.08 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.03 Driving
Skills
Significantly
Affected
--------
Possible
Criminal
Penalties
3 0.11 0.09 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.06 0.05 0.05
4 0.15 0.12 0.11 0.09 0.08 0.08 0.07 0.06
5 0.19 0.16 0.13 0.12 0.11 0.09 0.09 0.08
6 0.23 0.19 0.16 0.14 0.13 0.11 0.1 0.09
7 0.26 0.22 0.19 0.16 0.15 0.13 0.12 0.11 Legally
Intoxicated
--------
Criminal
Penalties
8 0.3 0.25 0.21 0.19 0.17 0.15 0.14 0.13
9 0.34 0.28 0.24 0.21 0.19 0.17 0.15 0.14
10 0.38 0.31 0.27 0.23 0.21 0.19 0.17 0.16
Subtract .01% for each 40 minutes of drinking.
One drink is 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.


Women
  Approximate Blood Alcohol Percentage
Drinks Body Weight in Pounds
  90 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240  
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Only Safe
Driving
Limit
1 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 Impairment
Begins
2 0.1 0.09 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.04 Driving
Skills
Significantly
Affected
--------
Possible
Criminal
Penalties
3 0.15 0.14 0.11 0.1 0.09 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.06
4 0.2 0.18 0.15 0.13 0.11 0.1 0.09 0.08 0.08
5 0.25 0.23 0.19 0.16 0.14 0.13 0.11 0.1 0.09
6 0.3 0.27 0.23 0.19 0.17 0.15 0.14 0.12 0.11
7 0.35 0.32 0.27 0.23 0.2 0.18 0.16 0.14 0.13 Legally
Intoxicated
--------
Criminal
Penalties
8 0.4 0.36 0.3 0.26 0.23 0.2 0.18 0.17 0.15
9 0.45 0.41 0.34 0.29 0.26 0.23 0.2 0.19 0.17
10 0.51 0.45 0.38 0.32 0.28 0.25 0.23 0.21 0.19
Subtract .01% for each 40 minutes of drinking.
One drink is 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.

As stated above, alcohol affects men and women differently, but the chart below is intended to show the general effects that alcohol has on the body at different levels.

BAC
grams/100 mL.

STAGE OF ALCOHOLIC INFLUENCE

CLINICAL SIGNS/SYMPTOMS

0.01-0.05

Subclinical
  • Influence/effects not apparent or obvious
  • Behavior nearly normal by ordinary observation
  • Impairment detectable by special tests

0.03-0.12

Euphoria
  • Mild euphoria, sociability, talkativeness
  • Increased self-confidence; decreased inhibitions
  • Diminution of attention, judgment and control
  • Some sensory-motor impairment
  • Slowed information processing
  • Loss of efficiency in critical performance tests

0.09-0.25

Excitement

  • Emotional instability; loss of critical judgment
  • Impairment of perception, memory and comprehension
  • Decreased sensatory response; increased reaction time
  • Reduced visual acuity, peripheral vision and glare recovery
  • Sensory-motor uncoordination; impaired balance
  • Drowsiness

0.18-0.30

Confusion

  • Disorientation, mental confusion; dizziness
  • Exaggerated emotional states (fear, rage, grief, etc.)
  • Disturbances of vision (diplopia, etc.) and of perception of color, form, motion, dimensions
  • Increased pain threshold
  • Increased muscular uncoordination; staggering gait; slurred speech
  • Apathy, lethargy

0.25-0.40

Stupor
  • General inertia; approaching loss of motor functions
  • Markedly decreased response to stimuli
  • Marked muscular uncoordination; inability to stand or walk; vomiting; incontinence of urine and feces
  • Impaired consciousness; sleep or stupor
0.35-0.50
Coma
  • Complete unconsciousness; coma; anesthesia
  • Depressed or abolished reflexes
  • Subnormal temperature
  • Impairment of circulation and respiration
  • Possible death
0.45 +
Death
    • Death from respiratory arrest

© by Kurt M. Dubowski, University of Oklahoma College and Medicine, Oklahoma City, OK, 1997

 


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