A blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) chart is a useful tool to explain how alcohol is processed by the human body.
In Texas, it is illegal to drive with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) level above 0.08. It’s important to understand that men and women process alcohol differently. Contact me for a free case review if you were charged with Driving While Intoxicated in New Braunfels, San Marcos, Seguin, Austin, or San Antonio.
The heavier you are, the harder it will be to raise your BAC. In addition, alcohol is a toxic chemical to our body, so it takes a while for your metabolism to process it. In other words, it takes time for you to feel its effects.
Usually, a person will have a few drinks, feel fine, and then decide to drive. While driving, their blood alcohol will start to increase as their body processes the alcohol. Ultimately, this causes relatively sober drivers to become inebriated and eventually pulled over by law enforcement.
Contact me for a free case review if you are charged with Driving While Intoxicated in Comal County or other Central Texas counties such as Hays County, Guadalupe County, Travis County, or Bexar County.
BLOOD-ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION (BAC) CHART | 100lbs | 120lbs | 140lbs | 160lbs | 180lbs | 200lbs | 220lbs | 240lbs |
| Number of Drinks Per Hour | M/F | M/F | M/F | M/F | M/F | M/F | M/F | M/F |
| 1 drink in 1 hour | .02/.03 | .02/.02 | .01/.02 | .01/.01 | .00/.01 | .00/01 | .00/.00 | .00/.00 |
| 1 drink in 2 hours | .01/.02 | .00/.01 | .00/.00 | .00/.00 | .00/.00 | .00/.00 | .00/.00 | .00/.00 |
| 1 drink in 3 hours | .00/.01 | .00/.00 | .00/.00 | .00/.00 | .00/.00 | .00/.00 | .00/.00 | .00/.00 |
| 2 drinks in 2 hours | .03/.04 | .03/.04 | .02/.03 | .01/.02 | .01/.02 | .00/.01 | .00/.00 | .00/.00 |
| 2 drinks in 3 hours | .02/.03 | .01/.03 | .00/.01 | .00/.01 | .00/.00 | .00/.00 | .00/.00 | .00/.00 |
| 2 drinks in 1 hour | .06/.07 | .05/.06 | .04/.05 | .03/.04 | .03/,03 | .02/.03 | .02/.02 | .02/.02 |
| 3 drinks in 3 hours | .06/.09 | .05/.06 | .03/.05 | .02/.03 | .01/.03 | .01/.02 | .00/.01 | .00/.01 |
| 3 drinks in 2 hours | .08/.10 | .07/.09 | .05/.06 | .04/05 | .03/.04 | .02/.03 | .02/.03 | .01/.02 |
| 3 drinks in 1 hour | .10/.12 | .08/.10 | .07/.08 | .06/.07 | .05/.06 | .04/.05 | .04/.05 | .03/.04 |
| 4 drinks in 4 hours | .09/.11 | .06./.08 | .04/.06 | .03/.05 | .02/.03 | .01/.02 | .00/.02 | .00/.01 |
| 4 drinks in 3 hours | .10/.13 | .08/.10 | .06/.08 | .05/06 | .03/.05 | .03/.04 | .02/.03 | .01/.03 |
| 4 drinks in 2 hours | .12/.15 | .09/.12 | .08/.10 | .06/.08 | .05/.07 | .04/.06 | .04/.05 | .03/.04 |
| 5 drinks in 5 hours | .11/.14 | .08/.11 | .04/.08 | .04/.06 | .02/.04 | .01/.03 | .00/.02 | .00/.00 |
| 5 drinks in 4 hours | .13/16 | .09/.12 | .09/.10 | .05/.07 | .04/.06 | .03/.05 | .02/.04 | .01/.03 |
| 5 drinks in 3 hours | .14/.18 | .11/.14 | .07/.09 | .07/.09 | .06/.08 | .05/.06 | .04/.05 | .03/.04 |
| 5 drinks in 2 hours | .16/.19 | .13/16 | .10/.13 | .09/.11 | .07/.09 | .06/.08 | .05/.07 | .00/.00 |
A blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) chart is a useful tool to explain how alcohol is processed by the human body. In Texas, understanding BAC levels is crucial due to strict drunk driving laws.
What is an illegal BAC in Texas? The Texas legal alcohol limit, also known as the legal blood alcohol concentration, is 0.08%. This means it’s illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content at or above this level. However, it’s important to note that you can still be charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) even if your BAC is below the legal limit if your mental or physical faculties are impaired.
Law enforcement officers use various methods to determine if a driver is legally intoxicated, including breath tests, blood tests, and field sobriety tests. These tests measure alcohol concentration in a person’s system. It’s crucial to understand that BAC levels can continue to rise even after you’ve stopped drinking, which is why many people who feel fine when leaving a bar may become impaired while driving.
Under Texas law, a first-time DWI offense is typically classified as a Class B misdemeanor. Penalties can include driver’s license suspension, fines, and even jail time. For commercial drivers, the legal limit is lower at 0.04%. Texas also has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking and driving, meaning any detectable amount of alcohol for drivers under 21 is illegal.
It’s important to note that certain factors can affect BAC levels:
- Body weight: The heavier you are, the more alcohol it takes to raise your BAC.
- Gender: Men and women process alcohol differently.
- Time: Your body needs time to metabolize alcohol.
- Amount and type of alcoholic beverages consumed.
If you’re planning on drinking, it’s always safest to arrange alternative transportation. Consider using a taxi, downloading Uber, or designating a sober driver. Remember, the cost of a ride is far less than the potential consequences of a DWI charge.
For those facing DWI charges, it’s crucial to understand your rights under the Texas Penal Code. A DWI conviction can result in serious penalties, including license suspension, ignition interlock devices, and restrictions on driving privileges. In cases involving a child passenger or an open container, penalties can be even more severe.
Law enforcement must have probable cause to initiate a traffic stop and request a breathalyzer test. However, under Texas’s implied consent law, refusing a BAC test can result in automatic license suspension.
If you’ve been charged with Driving While Intoxicated in Comal County or other Central Texas counties such as Hays County, Guadalupe County, Travis County, or Bexar County, it’s crucial to seek legal representation. A skilled attorney can review the details of your case, including the validity of BAC tests, and work to protect your rights.
