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Alcohol Impairment Chart

Houston DWI Attorney

This chart is intended as a guide, not a guarantee.

Alcohol affects individuals differently. Your blood alcohol level may be affected by your age, gender, physical condition, amount of food consumed and any drugs or medication. In addition, different drinks may contain different amounts of alcohol, so it's important to know how much and the concentration of alcohol you consume.

For purposes of this guide, "one drink" is equal to 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of regular beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.

The State of Texas has set a .08% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) as the legal limit for Driving Under the Influence. For commercial drivers, a BAC of .04% can result in a DUI conviction nationwide.

IMPAIRMENT BEGINS WITH YOUR FIRST DRINK.
FOR SAFETY'S SAKE, NEVER DRIVE AFTER DRINKING!



As stated above, alcohol affects men and women differently, but the chart below is intended to show the general effects that alcohol has on the body at different levels.

BAC
grams/100 mL.

STAGE OF ALCOHOLIC INFLUENCE

CLINICAL SIGNS/SYMPTOMS

0.01-0.05

Subclinical
  • Influence/effects not apparent or obvious
  • Behavior nearly normal by ordinary observation
  • Impairment detectable by special tests

0.03-0.12

Euphoria
  • Mild euphoria, sociability, talkativeness
  • Increased self-confidence; decreased inhibitions
  • Diminution of attention, judgment and control
  • Some sensory-motor impairment
  • Slowed information processing
  • Loss of efficiency in critical performance tests

0.09-0.25

Excitement
  • Emotional instability; loss of critical judgment
  • Impairment of perception, memory and comprehension
  • Decreased sensatory response; increased reaction time
  • Reduced visual acuity, peripheral vision and glare recovery
  • Sensory-motor uncoordination; impaired balance
  • Drowsiness

0.18-0.30

Confusion
  • Disorientation, mental confusion; dizziness
  • Exaggerated emotional states (fear, rage, grief, etc.)
  • Disturbances of vision (diplopia, etc.) and of perception of color, form, motion, dimensions
  • Increased pain threshold
  • Increased muscular uncoordination; staggering gait; slurred speech
  • Apathy, lethargy

0.25-0.40

Stupor
  • General inertia; approaching loss of motor functions
  • Markedly decreased response to stimuli
  • Marked muscular uncoordination; inability to stand or walk; vomiting; incontinence of urine and feces
  • Impaired consciousness; sleep or stupor
0.35-0.50 Coma
  • Complete unconsciousness; coma; anesthesia
  • Depressed or abolished reflexes
  • Subnormal temperature
  • Impairment of circulation and respiration
  • Possible death
0.45 + Death
  • Death from respiratory arrest
Tad Nelson & Associates Serves The Following Areas:

The League City, Texas, law firm of Tad Nelson & Associates provides legal advice and services to people with family law or criminal law concerns in Galveston County, Harris County, Brazoria County, the Houston Metro area, and cities such as Galveston, Clear Lake Shores, Clear Lake, Webster, League City, Friendswood, Texas City, Pasadena, Pearland, Dickinson, Alvin, Deer Park, Baytown, NASA, Seabrook, LaPorte, LaMarque, Angleton, Webster, and Nassau Bay.