If you’re riding down Interstate 95 and are pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving, or if you are stopped at a DWI checkpoint on Route 236, you may be asked to have your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measured.
Many drivers don’t understand how important the blood alcohol concentration test results are, or how they can be used to convict them of driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence charges. If your BAC is found above Virginia’s legal limit of 0.08 g/dl, you could face license suspension, hefty fines, and time in jail.
The Intricacies of the BAC
Along with the results of the BAC, officers can use your performance in field sobriety tests and the way you were driving prior to being pulled over against you. Here, we examine what exactly blood alcohol concentration is:
- What is BAC? The amount of alcohol in a person’s body is measured by the weight of the alcohol in a certain volume of blood. If the BAC is over 0.08 g/dl, the person is considered to be intoxicated and shouldn’t be driving.
- How is alcohol absorbed into the body? The alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the walls of the stomach and small intestine. The alcohol then travels through the bloodstream to the brain. The rate at which the alcohol is absorbed depends on a person’s gender, weight, how much he has eaten, how fast he is drinking, and how much he has had to drink.
- Will medications affect my BAC? Although drinking after taking medications can affect the way a person feels, it doesn’t alter the BAC. The amount of alcohol found in your system is the same, regardless of if you were on medication or not.
The Easley Firm May Be Able to Help
Having a BAC of 0.08 g/dl or higher can result in having your driving privileges taken away from you. If you have an attorney on your side, however, you increase your chances of retaining your freedom.
The Easley Law Firm has helped many people that are in the same situation as you. Call us today to find out how.
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