Alcohol and Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)

Alcohol consumption leads to an accumulation of alcohol in the body, impairing driving ability from the first drink. Alcohol is absorbed through the stomach and small intestine, quickly entering the bloodstream and affecting the brain and body. The liver, which processes alcohol, can only metabolize one standard drink per hour, regardless of body size. This means that even if you feel fine, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) may still be high enough to impair your driving ability.

BAC: BAC stands for Blood Alcohol Concentration, which is a measure of the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream. It is expressed as a percentage, representing the weight of alcohol per unit volume of blood. A BAC of .08 or higher typically indicates significant impairment, but even lower levels can affect driving skills. The effects of alcohol vary depending on several factors, including body weight, tolerance, rate of consumption, and whether you have eaten food. Women generally reach higher BAC levels faster than men due to differences in body composition and enzyme activity.

Alcohol’s Effects

Judgment: Alcohol impairs the ability to judge driving capabilities, often leading individuals to overestimate their skills and take unnecessary risks.

Vision and Alertness: Alcohol reduces visual acuity and peripheral vision, making it harder to detect road signs, pedestrians, and other vehicles. It also diminishes alertness and the ability to concentrate on multiple tasks, both of which are critical for safe driving.

Variable Impact: The effects of alcohol can vary based on a person’s emotional state, fatigue levels, and whether the stomach is empty. An empty stomach leads to faster alcohol absorption, whereas food can slow the process and reduce the peak BAC.

Equivalent Alcohol Content: Different alcoholic drinks can contain the same amount of alcohol. For example, a 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a 1.5-ounce shot of liquor all contain roughly the same amount of alcohol. Specialty drinks and cocktails may contain more alcohol, increasing the risk of impairment after just one or two drinks.

Perception and Reflexes: Alcohol dulls the senses, including hearing and vision, and slows reflexes, making it harder to respond to changes in traffic or unexpected events. Alcohol also lowers inhibitions, leading to an increased likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors such as speeding or aggressive driving.

Crash Studies: Research has shown that significant impairment in various driving-related abilities occurs at BAC levels as low as 0.05. Drivers may experience reduced coordination, slower reaction times, and difficulty focusing on the road. This means that even if you are below the legal limit of 0.08, you could still be impaired enough to cause an accident.

Elimination Rate: The body metabolizes alcohol at an approximate rate of .015 BAC per hour. There is no way to speed up this process—contrary to popular belief, drinking coffee, taking a cold shower, or exercising will not sober you up. Only time allows the liver to process alcohol and reduce BAC.

Driving Under the Influence: The Legal Consequences

Texas has strict laws in place to deter people from drinking and driving. For individuals aged 21 and older, a person is considered legally intoxicated if they have a BAC of 0.08 or more. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI) can be extremely costly, with fines reaching as high as $10,000—and that does not include the additional costs of a bail bondsman, attorney fees, court costs, and increased insurance premiums.

Open Container: Possessing an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle is illegal in Texas, regardless of whether the vehicle is moving, stopped, or parked. A conviction for possessing an open container is punishable by a fine of up to $500. This law is designed to prevent drinking while driving and discourage passengers from consuming alcohol in vehicles.

Processing Alcohol: Only time, along with factors such as body weight, quantity of drinks consumed, and food intake, can minimize the effects of alcohol. It takes approximately one hour for the body to process one alcoholic drink, meaning that after consuming multiple drinks, you may need several hours to return to a safe BAC level. A simple rule to remember is that if you have been drinking at all, you should not drive. Instead, arrange for someone else to drive, use a ride-sharing service, or take public transportation.

Implied Consent: Texas has an implied consent law, which means that by obtaining a driver’s license, all drivers agree to take a blood or breathalyzer test if arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. This law applies to both adults and minors. Refusing to submit to a breath or blood test can result in a driver’s license suspension for 180 days or up to 730 days for multiple offenses. If a person submits to testing and is found to be above the legal limit (0.08 for those aged 21 and older and 0.00 for minors), their license may be suspended for 90 days or up to 365 days for repeat offenses.

*One drink may include a 12 ounce can of beer, a mixed drink with 1.5oz of liquor or a 5 ounce glass of wine, as each contains nearly the same amount of alcohol.

Penalties for DWI or DUI of Alcohol or Drugs – 21 and older

These penalties highlight the seriousness of driving under the influence. Beyond fines and jail time, individuals convicted of DWI or DUI may face other consequences such as community service, mandatory alcohol education programs, installation of an ignition interlock device, and significantly increased car insurance rates. The impact on a person’s life can be long-lasting, affecting their employment, financial stability, and personal relationships.

The safest choice is to never drive after drinking any amount of alcohol. Planning ahead by designating a sober driver or using other transportation options can prevent accidents, save lives, and help you avoid the severe legal and financial consequences associated with impaired driving.

Source: Texas Driver Handbook