1996 GMC Savana Van Owner's Manual - Page 151

Since alcohol is carried body water, this means that a in woman generally will reach a higher BAC level than a man of her same body weight when each has the same number of drinks. The law in many U.S. states sets the legal limit at a BAC of 0. IO percent. In a growing number of U.S. states, and throughout Canada, the limit is 0.08 percent. Insome other countries,it's even lower. The BAC limit for all commercial drivers inthe United States is0.04 percent. The BAC will be over 0.10 percent after three to six drinks (in one hour). Of course, as we've seen, it depends on how much alcohol is in the drinks, and how quickly the person drinks them. . It's the amount of alcohol that counts. For example, if the sameper3on drank three double martinis (3 ounces or 90 ml of liquor each) within hour, the person's an BAC would be closeto 0.12 percent. A person who consumes food just before or during drinking will have a somewhat lower BAC level. There is a gender difference, too. Women generally have a lower relative percentageof body water than men. But the ability to drive is affected well belowa BAC of 0.10 percent. Research shows that the driving skills of many people are impaired at a BAC approaching 0.05 percent, and that the effects are worse at night. All drivers are impaired at BAC levelsabove 0.05 percent. Statistics show that the chance of being in a collision increases sharply for drivers who have a BAC of 0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of 0.06 percent has doubled his or her chance of having a collision. At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance of this driver having a collision is 12 times greater; at a level of 0.15 percent, the chance is 25 times greater! 4-3