Wisconsin drunk driving defense lawyers

Determining BAC - Blood Alcohol Content Levels

Am I Drunk? That Depends On How Many Drinks = .08

The following charts can be used to estimate how many drinks will approximately cause an illegal blood or breath alcohol concentration level (BAC) of .08, the standard legal BAC limit in Wisconsin. The limit is lower than .08 for some people, such as those with prior drunk driving convictions.

How to use: Given a person's weight and the number of drinks, the chart provides a rough estimate of the BAC (blood alcohol content) level.

EXAMPLE: A 180-pound man could have four drinks within one hour - a considerable amount of drinking - and his BAC would be: .083 (from the chart) minus .015 (.015 x 1 hour) = .068.

EXAMPLE: A 120-pound woman could have three drinks within two hours, and her BAG would be: .114 (from the chart) minus .036 (.018 per hour x 2 hours) = .078.

* Subtract from this number the amount of alcohol eliminated since the time of the first drink, using the average of 0.015per hour (for men), or 0.018per hour (for women).

What is a drink?

• 12 oz. of 4.2% beer (a typical "lite" beer)
• 4 oz. of 12-13% wine
• 1.25 oz. of 80-proof liquor

Estimates only

• These alcohol charts are general guidelines.
• Actual alcohol concentrations achieved may vary.
• All individuals are impaired at levels of 0.08 and greater.

what is safer to drink - beer, wine, or liquor?

None of the above if you are under 21, or if you will be driving.

Will eating something help?

These above blood alcohol content figures are estimates for drinking without eating. Having something to eat along with a drink may slow alcohol absorption and lead to a lower blood or breath alcohol concentration.

BAC: Blood Alcohol Content

Under Wisconsin law, a person suspected of drunk driving can be forced to submit to a blood test to determine the level of alcohol in the suspect's blood at the time of the test. That test can result in a higher BAC - blood alcohol content level, or a lower blood alcohol content than was actually present at the time that the person was stopped, which can work for or against the suspect.

The BAC is the blood alcohol content level. PAC stands for prohibited alcohol concentration - it is the violation of the state's BAC limit.

BAC & OWI Charges

The police can also charge the suspected drunk driver with two offenses, an OWI - operating while intoxicated - and a violation of the state's prohibited blood alcohol content level - BAC; however, the state may only convict a person for one of those offenses, but not both. :: See Drunk Driving Charges :

Chart Source: Chemical Test Section, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of State Patrol, September 2003
The preceding excerpts from: www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/docs/08law.pdf