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NUMBER
OF
DRINKS
[as in picture)
DRINKING THAT WILL
RESULT IN A BAC OF .O5O/o
IN THE TIME SHOWN
100
120
140
160
I 8 0
200
220
240
BODY WEIGHT
IN POUNDS
The law in most U.S. states sets the legal limit at a BAC of 0.10 percent.
In Canada the limit is 0.08 percent, and in some other countries it's lower
than that. The BAC will be over 0.10 percent after three to six drinks (in
one hour). Of course, as we've seen, it depends on how much alcohol is in
the drinks, and how quickly the person drinks them.
But it's very important to keep in mind that the ability to drive is affected
well below a BAC of 0.10 percent. Research shows that the driving skills
of many people are impaired at a BAC approaching 0.05 percent, and
that the effects are worse at night. All drivers are impaired at BAC levels
above 0.05 percent. Statistics show that the chance of being in an accident
increases sharply for drivers who have a BAC
of 0.05 percent or above. A
driver with a BAC level
of 0.06 percent (three beers in one hour for a
180-pound or 82 kg person) has doubled his or her chance of having an
accident. At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance of that driver having
an accident is six times greater; at a level of 0.15 percent, the chances are
twenty-five times greater! And, the body takes about an hour to rid itself
of the alcohol in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold
showers will speed that up.
"I'll be careful" isn't the right answer. What if there's an emergency, a
need to take sudden action, as when a child darts into the street? A
176
L
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