Connecticut Department of Transportation

How Alcohol Affects Your BAC


Below is a chart which will help you understand how alcohol affects your BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration). The chart measures BAC by body weight and number of drinks consumed within one hour.

APPROXIMATE BLOOD ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE
Drinks Body Weight in Pounds
100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240
1 .04 .03 .03 .02 .02 .02 .02 .02
2 .08 .06 .05 .05 .04 .04 .03 .03
3 .11 .09 .08 .07 .06 .06 .05 .05
4 .15 .12 .11 .09 .08 .08 .07 .06
5 .19 .16 .13 .12 .11 .09 .09 .08
6 .23 .19 .16 .14 .13 .11 .10 .09
7 .26 .22 .19 .16 .15 .13 .12 .11
8 .30 .25 .21 .19 .17 .15 .14 .13
9 .34 .28 .24 .21 .19 .17 .15 .14
10 .38 .31 .27 .23 .21 .19 .17 .16
 

ONE DRINK = 12 OZ. BEER/4OZ. WINE/1OZ. 80 PROOF LIQUOR

This chart is only a guide and not sufficiently accurate to be considered legal evidence.

Alcohol Content

Even at low levels, and regardless of a person's tolerance, alcohol dulls the senses, impairs judgment and decision making ability, and slows reaction time. Some people may not feel "drunk," yet their driving will be impaired. Although no one of these systems may be affected greatly, the overall affect of slight impairment in all these areas makes for significantly impaired driving ability.