Following an operating while intoxicated (OWI) or driving under influence (DUI) charge, you might be wondering how your blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeded the legal limit when you’re already feeling sober.
Most people may not know that alcohol remains in the body even long after its effects seem to fade. By knowing how long it takes for the blood alcohol content (BAC) to reach 0.00, you can better understand the circumstances surrounding your arrest.
Normal timeframe for BAC to reach 0.00
On average, the body processes alcohol at about 0.015 BAC per hour. Even coffee intake, sleep, exercise or cold showers cannot speed up the process.
If you reach a BAC of 0.08, it may take five to six hours for your BAC to return to 0.00, while higher BAC levels require even more time. It is important to note that this timeframe varies depending on factors, including body weight, metabolism, gender and the amount of food intake.
You may think that beer is a safer option than hard liquor, but BAC depends on the amount of alcohol intake, not the type of alcohol. One beer may be detectable in a breath test for one to three hours. Drinking several beers in a short time may raise BAC significantly and extend the time your body needs to process the alcohol and reach 0.00.
BAC timelines matter in OWI and DUI cases
Even after you may feel sober before hitting the road, BAC can stay above zero and may have exceeded the legal limit when the police stopped you at the checkpoint.
Under Wisconsin law, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle if you have a BAC of 0.08 or higher. If you have three or more prior OWI convictions, the legal limit is lower and you can’t drive if your BAC is higher than 0.02.
Understanding BAC timelines and reviewing operating while intoxicated (OWI) laws can help you make sense of the charges you are facing and make better decisions to avoid similar issues in the future.
