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Written by:
Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.
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Reviewed by:
John McCormick
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Editorial Director
John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.

Distracted driving and impaired driving are the two largest causes of auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 10,142 people died in drunk-driving crashes in 2019.

Furthermore, 28 people in the U.S. die in drunk-driving crashes every day – one person every 52 minutes.

About one-third of all vehicle crashes involve an impaired driver. Alcohol impairs thinking, slows reaction time and muscle coordination, and reduces brain function – which are significant liabilities for drivers.

The legal limit for Blood Alcohol Concentration, or BAC, in most states, is .08 (in Utah, it’s .05).

The typical effects of alcohol at different Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) includes:

  • At .05: Exaggerated behavior, loss of small muscle control, impaired judgment, lowered alertness and inhibitions.
  • At .08: Poor muscle coordination affecting balance, speech, vision, reaction time and hearing, impaired judgment, self-control, reasoning and memory.
  • At .10: Clear deterioration of reaction time and control, slurred speech, slowed thinking and poor coordination.

You could still be impaired even if you’re below the legal limit. In 2019, according to the NHTSA, 1,775 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes where a driver had a BAC of .01 to .07.

Tool: Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) calculator

Use this Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) calculator to see how drinking affects your blood-alcohol level, and how that compares to the DUI limit according to your state’s laws. This calculator considers your weight, gender, the time you’ll be out, the drinks you’ll consume and state laws.

Keep in mind, however, that you should always take precautions before getting behind the wheel to protect the safety of yourself and others. People are affected by alcohol differently, and it may be unsafe for you to drive even if you’re under your state’s DUI limits.

Blood Alcohol Content Calculator

A person's blood-alcohol level is the result of a complex interaction of weight, gender, alcohol consumed, and time.
WEIGHT
DRINKS CONSUMED
OVER TIME PERIOD

The basic formula for estimating a person's blood-alcohol concentration comes from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Each drink in this calculation assumes a volume of .54 ounces of alcohol (one shot of distilled spirits, a glass of wine, or 12 ounces of beer).

Plan ahead to avoid drinking and driving

You should never get behind the wheel after having a drink. As you can see, the calculator shows how dangerous it is to get behind the wheel after even one drink and how the risk increases with each successive drink consumed.

A DUI conviction will cost you thousands of dollars and mar your record for years. And it will drive up your car insurance rates for just as long.

The NHTSA advises folks to make alternative plans for transportation if they plan on drinking. Here are a few tips:

  • Before beginning an evening out, designate a driver ahead of time.
  • Take the keys away from friends who have been drinking.
  • If you’re hosting a party, ensure your guests are sober when leaving. If not, order them a taxi, Uber or Lyft.
  • Always wear your seat belt.


Source:

Drunk Driving Statistics and Resources According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Laura Longero

Ask the Insurance Expert

Laura Longero

Executive Editor

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

John McCormick

Ask the Insurance Expert

John McCormick

Editorial Director

John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.

Leslie Kasperowicz

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Leslie Kasperowicz

Managing Editor

Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.

Nupur Gambhir

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Nupur Gambhir

Managing Editor

Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.

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author image
Executive Editor

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.