Generally, for an average-sized person, it takes about 2-3 drinks to reach a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%, and 4-5 drinks to reach a BAC of 0.08%, which is the legal limit in most states for drivers over the age of 21.
But the number of drinks it takes to be over the legal limit for DUI can vary depending on a variety of factors, including body weight, gender, and metabolism, as well as the type and amount of alcohol consumed, the time frame in which it was consumed, and whether the person has eaten recently.
In general, the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in the United States is 0.08%, which means that a person with a BAC of 0.08% or higher is considered to be driving under the influence. However, it is important to note that impairment can occur at lower levels of alcohol consumption, and it is always safest to refrain from driving after consuming any amount of alcohol.
As a rough guideline, it is often estimated that it takes approximately one standard drink (defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor) to raise a person’s BAC by 0.02%. However, this can vary widely depending on individual factors, namely gender, body weight, body composition, what type of food is in the digestive system, metabolic rate, etc.
However, it is not a reliable way to determine whether it is safe to drive after drinking. If you plan to drink, it is always best to have a designated driver or to use a ride-sharing service to get home safely.
Las Vegas Criminal Lawyer Thomas Moskal is a former chief prosecutor for the Las Vegas DUI Unit at the Clark County District Attorney’s Office. He is now a private criminal defense attorney in Las Vegas focusing on DUI defense law.
