Your blood alcohol concentration refers to the percent of alcohol in your bloodstream. Many factors can affect how quickly this percentage rises after you consume alcohol.
In Ohio and all other states except Utah, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with a BAC level at or above 0.08%, states the Governors Highway Safety Association. If you drive with a BAC at or above this point, you may be subject to consequences like jail time, the requirement to pay a fine, license suspension and others.
1. Rate of consumption
How quickly you consume alcohol will impact how quickly your BAC level rises and potentially affect your OVI charges if law enforcement pulls you over while driving. Generally speaking, your liver metabolizes one alcoholic beverage every hour. If you consume more than one drink an hour, more alcohol will circulate through your bloodstream, raising your BAC
2. Food in your stomach
When there is food in your stomach, the alcohol you consume will move into your bloodstream slower than if you consumed alcohol on an empty stomach. The effects of the alcohol on your body will still occur but at a slower rate.
3. Your gender
Alcohol is an extremely water-soluble substance. Since women tend to have less water content in their bodies than men, they will typically reach a higher BAC level than a man after consuming the same amount of alcohol at a similar rate.
4. Your mood and stress level
Alcohol can affect you more during periods of fatigue or significant stress. Alcohol is a depressant, so if you are already experiencing the effects of fatigue or stress, alcohol can amplify them.
