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What does BAC stand for and what does it mean?
I live in a drinking town with a lot of bars, and there seem to be blurred lines when it comes to drinking and driving. What does BAC actually stand for? Does it refer to how many drinks you can have before driving?
Kaitlin May · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I’m so glad you’re wondering about this now, because people often find out what BAC means when it’s too late! BAC stands for blood alcohol concentration, and it’s how law enforcement officers determine if you’re following the legal drinking limit.
BAC is the most precise way to refer to the amount of alcohol in someone’s bloodstream. For example, someone weighing 200 lb will have a lower BAC than someone who weighs 120 lb after consuming the same amount of drinks.
Knowing your limits is crucial to driving safely and avoiding a DWI. In every state across the country, the legal limit is a BAC of .08%. There’s no precise way to guarantee that you’ll meet that legal limit by guesstimating as you sip.
Although your BAC will typically increase by .02% per drink you consume, it could be much higher if you haven’t eaten enough food and/or if you drank those cocktails in a short amount of time. BAC can also vary based on body type and metabolism.
The bottom line? If you’re even teetering on the edge of feeling like you shouldn’t drive after a drink or two—skip it. Call a ride share service or see if a friend can pick you up. It’s not worth it to get a DWI and compromise the safety of others and yourself. It’s also a
severe offense
that will increase your car insurance premium by about 74%.If you do happen to get a DWI under your belt, it’s best to get the car insurance comparison and broker app
Jerry
on your side to help you keep your monthly costs under control.No matter what your driving record looks like, Jerry can find you the lowest rates with the best coverage from over 50 top insurance companies. Their expertise can save you an average of $887 per year, which can carve down some of the costs from a DWI offense.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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