Blood Alcohol Concentration

1. Answer the following questions about the driving risk associated with drinking and blood alcohol
concentration:

a. Mandy has a BAC of 0.16. How much more likely is she to have an accident than someone who is
sober?

b. Marissa, who has been drinking, is ten times more likely to have an accident as her sober friend,
Christine. What is Marissa’s approximate blood-alcohol concentration?

c. After several drinks, Charles is five times more likely to have an accident than a sober person. Is he
more or less intoxicated than John, whose blood alcohol level is 0.08?

d. The BAC in the U.S. is 0.08. How does that compare to the BAC of Germany when considering the
relative chances of a crash?

2. The following is a description of four individuals who have been drinking. Determine their BAC if one 8-
ounce drink contains 1.25 ounces of alcohol.

a. John weighs 220 pounds and has consumed twelve 8-ounce drinks on a full stomach.

b. Gina weighs 120 pounds and has consumed six 8-ounce drinks on an empty stomach.

c. Gary weighs 180 pounds and has consumed four 8-ounce drinks on an empty stomach.

d. Betty weighs 100 pounds and has consumed five 8-ounce drinks on a full stomach.

e. Bob weighs 150 pounds and has consumed three and a half 8-ounce drinks on a full stomach.

3. Rank the individuals in question number two from lowest to highest blood-alcohol concentration.
4. The following is a description of four individuals who have been drinking. In which (if any) of the
following countries would each be considered legally drunk: the U.S., Germany, Sweden? Once again,
we are assuming that one 8-ounce drink contains 1.25 ounces of alcohol.

a. Bill weighs 130 pounds and has consumed five 8-ounce drinks on an empty stomach.

b. Sally weighs 140 pounds and has consumed three 8-ounce drinks on a full stomach.

c. Rich weighs 200 pounds and has consumed four 8-ounce drinks on an empty stomach.

d. Carrie weighs 110 pounds and has consumed two and a half 8-ounce drinks on a full stomach.

e. Debra weighs 160 pounds and has consumed six 8-ounce drinks on an empty stomach.

5. The following is a description of four individuals who have been pulled over and have been asked to take
the breath test to rapidly determine alcohol intoxication. Determine how many hours it will take in
order for them to sober up completely (0.0). Also determine if they are legally intoxicated or not
according to their breathalyzer test results.

a. James breath test reading is 0.06.

b. Brittany’s breath test reading is 0.15.

c. Cameron’s breath test reading is 0.075.

d. Jose’s breath test reading is 0.105.

e. Brad’s breath test reading is 0.135