Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers

Division 781

Alcohol Impairment Chart

This chart is intended as a guide,
not a guarantee.

Alcohol affects individuals differently. Your blood alcohol level may be affected by your age, gender, physical condition, amount of food consumed and any drugs or medication. In addition, different drinks may contain different amounts of alcohol, so it's important to know how much and the concentration of alcohol you consume.

For purposes of this guide, "one drink" is equal to 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of regular beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.

A woman drinking an equal amount of alcohol in the same period of time as a man of an equivalent weight may have a higher blood alcohol level than that man. Therefore, women should refer to the female "Know Your Limits" chart.

Some states have set .08% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) as the legal limit for Driving Under the Influence. For commercial drivers, a BAC of .04% can result in a DUI conviction nationwide.

IMPAIRMENT BEGINS WITH YOUR FIRST DRINK.

FOR SAFETY'S SAKE, NEVER DRIVE AFTER DRINKING!

Men   Approximate Blood Alcohol Percentage Drinks Body Weight in Pounds     100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240   0 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 Only Safe Driving Limit 1 .04 .03 .03 .02 .02 .02 .02 .02 Impairment Begins 2 .08 .06 .05 .05 .04 .04 .03 .03 Driving Skills Significantly Affected Possible Criminal Penalties 3 .11 .09 .08 .07 .06 .06 .05 .05 4 .15 .12 .11 .09 .08 .08 .07 .06 5 .19 .16 .13 .12 .11 .09 .09 .08 6 .23 .19 .16 .14 .13 .11 .10 .09 7 .26 .22 .19 .16 .15 .13 .12 .11 Legally Intoxicated Criminal Penalties 8 .30 .25 .21 .19 .17 .15 .14 .13 9 .34 .28 .24 .21 .19 .17 .15 .14 10 .38 .31 .27 .23 .21 .19 .17 .16 Subtract .01% for each 40 minutes of drinking. One drink is 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.

Women   Approximate Blood Alcohol Percentage Drinks Body Weight in Pounds     90 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240   0 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 Only Safe Driving Limit 1 .05 .05 .04 .03 .03 .03 .02 .02 .02 Impairment Begins 2 .10 .09 .08 .07 .06 .05 .05 .04 .04 Driving Skills Significantly Affected Possible Criminal Penalties 3 .15 .14 .11 .10 .09 .08 .07 .06 .06 4 .20 .18 .15 .13 .11 .10 .09 .08 .08 5 .25 .23 .19 .16 .14 .13 .11 .10 .09 6 .30 .27 .23 .19 .17 .15 .14 .12 .11 Legally Intoxicated Criminal Penalties 7 .35 .32 .27 .23 .20 .18 .16 .14 .13 8 .40 .36 .30 .26 .23 .20 .18 .17 .15 9 .45 .41 .34 .29 .26 .23 .20 .19 .17 10 .51 .45 .38 .32 .28 .25 .23 .21 .19 Subtract .01% for each 40 minutes of drinking. One drink is 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.

Data supplied by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
from http://www.health.org/nongovpubs/bac-chart/

Back to Redblock Page

Back to Home Page