Virginia BAC
If you have read any websites or new articles about driving under the influence, you may have come across the acronym BAC.
What does BAC mean?
BAC stands for blood alcohol content. Blood alcohol content is the percentage of alcohol that is present in blood. It is usually measured as mass per volume. For example, a BAC of .04 percent is 0.04 grams of alcohol per 100 grams of a person’s blood
Determining a driver’s BAC is important because each state has laws that govern how much alcohol may be in the blood before it becomes illegal to operate a motorized vehicle. In Virginia, as in most states, the maximum BAC level is .08 percent.
There are three ways to determine a driver’s BAC: breath, blood, and urine. The police officer can choose which of the tests to administer to the driver.
The most common test is the breath test because it is inexpensive and fairly simple to administer. You may have heard this referred to as a Breathalyzer test, named after a brand that was commonly used. However, it is more likely that the test will be administered on an Intoxilyzer 5000.
To take the test, the officer will ask the driver to blow into a disposable mouthpiece on a hand-held device, until he/she asks the driver to stop. After the test, a printout or digital reading is created. This test can be performed at the scene or at a detention center.
Blood testing is another method used to determine a driver’s BAC. This test is not as practical, as it may only be performed at a medical facility or detainment center.
The third test to determine a driver’s BAC level is a urine test. Again, this test may only be performed at a medical facility or detainment center.
Did you know that you can be convicted of drunk-driving even if your BAC is less than .08 percent? If the officer can prove that your actions indicated that you were impaired, that then becomes probable cause for arrest and may lead to a conviction. Refusing to take any tests to determine your BAC will lead to a license suspension for one year. This is because you signed a form agreeing to comply with requests by police when you applied for your driver’s license.
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