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Preventing Atlanta DUI Accidents: How Does Blood Alcohol Level Affect The Body?

Blood alcohol level (BAL), blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and blood alcohol content (BAC) are terms that refer to the amount of alcohol present in the blood at a given time.  It is expressed as a ratio of grams alcohol per 100 milliliters (deciliter) of blood and is used as a measure of intoxication.
 
The physical and mental signs listed here are generalizations.  Alcohol affects everyone differently.  A person who rarely drinks may show impairment of reflexes with a .04 alcohol level.
 
Typical physical and mental signs of intoxication:
 
BAC .01-.06 g/dL

• Feeling relaxed
  
• A sense of Well-Being
• Thought, judgment and coordination may be Impaired
• Alcohol may influence driving ability

 
BAC .06-.10 g/dL

• Loss of Inhibitions
• Extroversion
• Reasoning is affected
• Reflexes, depth perception, and peripheral vision are impaired
• Impaired driving ability

 
BAC .11-.20 g/dL

• Emotional swings
• Sadness or depression
• Anger or belligerence
• Reaction time is impaired
• Speech is slurred

 
BAC .21-.29 g/dL

• Stupor
• Blackouts
• Motor Skills are severely impaired

 
BAC .30-.39 g/dL

• Severe depression
• Loss of consciousness
• Breathing and heart rate impaired

 
BAC .40 g/dL or greater

• Breathing and heart rate impaired
• Death

 
Any level of alcohol use can affect driving ability. Learn about how long alcohol stays in the body in our article:   "An Atlanta Drunk Driving Injury Lawyer Explains How Next Day DUI Accidents Occur".  
 
Atlanta DUI Injury Lawyer Shane Smith has written a book "I Was Hit By A Drunk Driver.  What Do I Do Next?" to advise victims of DUI of their rights.  Get your free copy.