One of the many problems facing drivers in regards to DUI law is figuring out each person's unique limits when it comes to drinking. Although the law holds a strict 0.08 BAC limitation, this is not the same as a feeling of being drunk to some people. This makes legal limits difficult to precisely measure from a drinker's perspective. The drinker's body and how it processes alcohol can factor strongly in measuring intoxication.
To discuss your legal options following a DUI charge, contact the Seattle DUI lawyers of Cowan Kirk today at 866-822-1230.
The Body's Handling of Alcohol
A feeling of intoxication does not always match the read-out of a breathalyzer. This is largely due to the liver's ability to process alcohol in a given person's body. After consumed, alcohol works through the body in the following ways:
- Alcohol enters into the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestines
- Trace amounts exit the body through breath, sweat, and urine
- It is then filtered, removing potential toxins, by the liver over time
- The liver cannot process all alcohol at once
- The backed up alcohol in the bloodstream causes intoxication
The average human processes a unit of alcohol that equals roughly half a pint of beer, a glass of wine, or a single shot of 80-proof liquor every hour. However, factors such as eating before drinking and resistance to the toxic effects of alcohol can modify this processing rate. Intoxication will not be noticed or felt by a drinker until at least 30 minutes after consuming the drink on average.
Contact Us
The methods used to determine an individual's level of intoxication are far from conclusive. For more information regarding your rights if you have been charged with a DUI, contact the Seattle DUI attorneys of Cowan Kirk by calling 866-822-1230 today.
