Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) & Alcohol Absorption Flashcards

What is the legal BAC limit for operating a motor vehicle in Maryland for drivers age 21 and older?

Answer: 0.08%

Maryland, like all U.S. states, sets the per se DUI BAC limit at 0.08% for non-commercial drivers age 21 and over.

Approximately how long does it take for a healthy adult liver to metabolize one standard drink?

Answer: About one hour

The liver metabolizes alcohol at a fixed rate of roughly one standard drink per hour, regardless of coffee, food, or other remedies.

Which organ is primarily responsible for metabolizing alcohol in the body?

Answer: Liver

The liver breaks down approximately 90–95% of consumed alcohol using the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase.

Which of the following counts as ONE standard drink under U.S. guidelines?

Answer: 5 oz of wine (12% ABV)

A standard drink contains 0.6 oz of pure alcohol, which equals 5 oz of wine at 12% ABV.

Which of the following factors does NOT significantly affect the rate of alcohol absorption into the bloodstream?

Answer: The drinker's eye color

Eye color has no physiological effect on how quickly alcohol is absorbed; body weight, food, and carbonation all do.

At what BAC level does Maryland define the lesser offense of Driving While Impaired (DWI)?

Answer: 0.07%

Maryland law defines DWI at a BAC of 0.07%, which carries penalties less severe than the per se DUI threshold of 0.08%.

What effect does drinking on an empty stomach have on BAC compared to drinking after a full meal?

Answer: BAC rises faster because there is no food to slow alcohol absorption

Without food present, alcohol passes rapidly into the small intestine where most absorption occurs, causing BAC to spike more quickly.