We have officially entered the warmest months of the year. Additionally, these are the months where people tend to drink more alcohol than usual. Let’s go over what all adults should know about their BAC and drinking habits over the hot summer months.
What is Blood Alcohol Concentration?
An individual’s blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, refers to the amount of alcohol in someone’s bloodstream. This in turn reflects how intoxicated they are.
The legal limit for a driver’s BAC is 0.08% in 49 out of 50 states. Utah is the only state with a different legal limit, at 0.05%.
What Factors Affect BAC?
Many people who drink alcohol tend to follow a ‘one drink per hour’ rule in order to stay at a lower BAC. However, there are numerous factors that can affect BAC.
Some include:
- The pace at which someone drinks, or how many drinks consumed each hour
- The person’s weight
- Biological sex
- The person’s stomach contents
Weather conditions and heat will not have a direct impact on an individual’s blood alcohol concentration.
Dehydration and BAC
Something to keep in mind if you’re consuming alcohol on a hot day is dehydration. If you are dehydrated, this can cause you to feel the effects of alcohol stronger, and the alcohol will further dehydrate you.
Signs of dehydration include:
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Dizziness
Here’s a tip: Alternate alcoholic drinks with water to keep yourself healthy and hydrated.
The physical symptoms of dehydration can affect your ability to drive safely. This in conjunction with a high BAC can be a recipe for disaster resulting in criminal DUI charges.
Virginia Beach DUI Defense Lawyers
The team at Tillotson & Martin, LLC wants you to stay safe and avoid legal trouble this summer. However, if you are stopped and arrested for DUI in the Virginia Beach area, know that we are here for you. Our expert DUI attorneys will fight aggressively to protect you from a criminal conviction. After a Virginia DUI arrest, call us at (757) 568-7978.