Alcohol Impairment Chart

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.

A woman drinking an equal amount of alcohol in the same period of time as a man of an equivalent weight may have a higher blood alcohol level than that man. Therefore, women should refer to the female "Alcohol Imparment Chart" chart.

In Massachucetts, .08% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is 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!

 

Alcohol Imparement Chart
  Approximate Blood Alcohol Percentage
Drinks Body Weight in Pounds  
  100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240  
0 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 Only Safe
Driving Limit
1 .04 .03 .03 .02 .02 .02 .02 .02 Impairment
Begins
2 .08 .06 .05 .05 .04 .04 .03 .03 Driving
Skills
Significantly
Affected

Possible
Criminal
Penalties
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 .06 Legally
Intoxicated

Criminal
Penalties
8 .30 .25 .21 .19 .17 .15 .14 .08
9 .34 .28 .24 .21 .19 .17 .15 .14
10 .38 .31 .27 .23 .21 .19 .17 .16
Subtract .01% for each 40 minutes of drinking.
One drink is 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.

Note: A BAC of .30% or above may be lethal

 

 

The forward button will bring you to the complete Alcohol

drug page located alphabetically in the General Drug and Alcohol pages.

The back button will send you to the previous page, Binge Drinking.