1997 Buick Skylark Owner's Manual - Page 163

of increases sharply for drivers who have a BAC There is a gender difference, too. Women generally have 0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of a lower relative percentage body water than men. of Since alcohol is carried body water,this means that a in 0.06 percent has doubled his or her chancehaving a of of woman generally will reach a higher BAC level than a collision. At a BAC level 0.10 percent, the chanceof this driver having a collision 12 times greater; at a is man of her same body weight when each has the same number of drinks. level of 0.15 percent, the chance is times greater! 25 of the The law in manyU.S. states sets the legal limit at a BAC The body takes about an hour to rid itself alcohol in one drink.No amount of coffee or number cold of of 0.10 percent. In a growing numberof U.S. states, and showers will speed that up. be careful" isn't the "I'll throughout Canada, the limit is percent. In some 0.08 right answer. Whatif there's an emergency, a need to other countries, it's even lower. BAC limit for all The take sudden action, as when a child darts into street? the commercial driversin the United States is0.04 percent. A person with even moderate BAC might not be able a The BAC will be over 0.10 percent after three to six to react quickly enough to avoid the collision. drinks (in one hour). course, as we've seen, it Of There's somethingelse about drinking and driving that depends on how much alcohol in the drinks, and how is many people don't know. Medical research shows that quickly the person drinks them. alcohol in a person's system can make crash injuries But the ability to drive affected well below a BAC is worse, especially injuries to the brain, spinal cord or of 0.10 percent. Research shows that the driving skills heart. This means that when anyone who has been of many people are impaired at a BAC approaching drinking -- driver or passenger-- is in a crash, that 0.05 percent, and thatthe effects are worse at night. All person's chanceof being killed or permanently disabled drivers are impaired BAC levels above at 0.05 percent. is higher than if the person had not been drinking. Statistics show that the chance being in a collision of