1995 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner's Manual - Page 143

man of her samebody weight when each hasthe same number of drinks. The law in many U.S. states setsthe legal limit ata BAC of 0.10 percent. In a growing numberof U.S. states, and 0.08 throughout Canada, the limit is percent. In some other countriesit's even lower. The BAC limit for all commercial drivers in the U.S. is 0.04 percent. The BACwill 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 isin the drinks, and how quickly the person drinks them. But the ability to drive is affected well below a BAC of 0.10 percent. Research shows that the driving skillsof many people are impaired at a BAC approaching 0.05 percent, and that the effects are worseat night. All 0.05 drivers are impaired at BAC levels above percent. Statistics showthat the chance of being in a collision increases sharply for drivers whohave a BAC of 0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of 0.06 percent has doubled hisor her chanceof having a collision. At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance of this driver having a collision is twelve times greater; at a level of 0.15 percent, the chance is twenty-five times greater! It's the amount of alcohol that counts. For example,if the sameperson drank three doublemartinis (3 ounces or 90 ml of liquor each) within an hour, the person's BAC would be close to 0.12 percent. A person who consumes foodjust before or during drinkingwill have a somewhat lower BAC level. There isa gender difference, too. Women generally have a lower relative percentage body water than men. of Since alcohol is carried in body water, this means that a woman generally will reach a higher BAC level than a 4-3