Q: How will I know I’m impaired, and why should I care?

A: Alcohol steadily decreases a person’s ability to drive a motor vehicle safely. The more you drink, the greater the effect. As with BAC, the signs of impairment differ with the individual. Drivers with a BAC of .08 are approximately 4 times more likely to crash than drivers with a BAC of zero. At a BAC of .15, drivers are at least 12 times more likely to crash than drivers with a BAC of zero.  The risk of crashing is even greater for young males. Further, many studies have shown that even small amounts of alcohol can impair a person’s ability to drive. Every State has passed a law making it illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher. A driver also can be arrested with a BAC below .08 when a law enforcement officer has probable cause, based on the driver’s behavior. The following chart contains some of the more common symptoms people exhibit at various BAC levels and the probable effects on driving ability.