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How Much is Too Much to Drink?

Posted by Lynn Gorelick | May 24, 2016 | 0 Comments

After someone has a few too many drinks, it can be difficult to convince them that they've had enough. It may take until the next day when a hangover takes hold they admit that they had too much to drink. Having too much to drink may not be a big deal if the individual has a safe place to sleep off the alcohol. However, some drivers get pulled over with a shockingly high blood alcohol level.

A man in Florida was recently arrested for a DUI with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.604%. Lee County sheriff's deputies found an SUV parked in the middle of the road with the hazard lights flashing. When officers approached the driver, they found Stephen Allbritton asleep behind the wheel. The man was unable to get out of the car on his own, and had to be helped out by deputies. To make matters worse, he had his two children in the car at the time.

The man was taken to the hospital for safety reasons. He was later transported to the police station after officers waited 4 hours for his BAC to go down to 0.4%. Albritton was charged with felony child neglect, misdemeanor refusing a DUI test, and driving under the influence.

The legal limit for a DUI in California is 0.08% BAC. This means that no matter how well a driver is able to operate a vehicle, they can be arrested with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. For commercial drivers, the legal limit is only 0.04%. For underage drivers, any level of alcohol in their system is enough to be arrested for an underage DUI. While most drivers arrested for a DUI have a blood alcohol level of just over the legal limit, some driver continue to push the limits of how much alcohol they can consume, and still find their way behind the wheel.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a BAC of 0.31% or higher can be life threatening. Alcohol overdoses can lead to alcohol poisoning, loss of consciousness, and suppression of vital life functions. At a certain point, it can be difficult for individuals to keep consuming alcohol because they will lose consciousness. However, individuals with a high alcohol tolerance or those who take stimulants may be able to stay conscious long enough to reach life-threatening BAC levels.

One report indicates the highest blood alcohol level that did not result in death was 0.914%. A 67-year-old Bulgarian man was hit by a truck, and stumbled into a hospital. When the hospital checked his alcohol level, they initially thought their equipment was malfunctioning, until multiple tests confirmed the shockingly high level of alcohol in the man's body.

At the Gorelick Law Offices, attorney Lynn Gorelick has dedicated her legal career to defending people charged with driving under the influence in the East Bay. With more than 30 years of DUI defense experience, she understands the penalties involved, and knows how to fight to keep your arrest from ending in a conviction. Contact your local East Bay DUI defense attorney who will make sure you get the justice you deserve.

About the Author

Lynn Gorelick

Lynn Gorelick has been an attorney for over 38 years. She is the Attorney Lynn Gorelick is the Immediate Past President of the California DUI Lawyers Association and a Faculty and Sustaining member of the National College of DUI Defense. Lynn is a Specialist Member of the California DUI Lawyers Association and lectures frequently to other attorneys regarding DUI and DMV issues.

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