DUI Blood Analysis and Breath Tests

Blood/Breath Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream or on one's breath. BAC is expressed as the weight of ethanol, measured in grams, in 100 milliliters of blood, or 210 liters of breath. BAC can be measured by breath, blood, or urine tests.

Arizona defines legal intoxication for purposes of driving as having a BAC of 0.08 or greater, in most cases. But alcohol may affect driving skills at BACs of 0.05 or even lower.

Driving skills, especially judgment, are impaired in most people long before they show signs of drunkenness. The public usually associates BAC with "drunk driving." But it's more accurate to refer to "alcohol-impaired" driving because you do not have to be "drunk" to be impaired in your ability to safely drive a car.

Generally, each of the following types of alcoholic beverages are equivalent:

• 12 ounce beer (alcohol concentration 4-5%)
• 1 ounce of 80 proof liquor
• 5 ounce glass of wine

What can affect your BAC

• How much alcohol you drink.
• How fast you drink. The quicker you drink, the higher your peak BAC will be.
• Body size. Heavier people tend to have lower BACs than lighter people, assuming the same amount of alcohol.
• Food in your stomach. When there is food in your stomach, alcohol is absorbed more slowly into the blood stream. The BAC rises more rapidly when you drink on an empty stomach, because there is no food in which to dilute the alcohol.
• Type of mixer used. Water and fruit juices mixed with alcohol may slow the absorption process, while carbonated beverages may speed it up.
• Gender differences. Women have higher BACs than men.

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