y passes every three minutes. The liver recognizes alcohol as a foreign substance, and begins to process it at a constant rate. So every time a drink is ingested, the ethanol is absorbed into the bloodstream, consequently boosting the BAC level. Time is the main factor in decreasing the BAC level in ones bloodstream. (http://library.thinkquest.org/23713/effects/bac.html) Police use BAC levels to determine whether a person is driving under the influence or not. What is amazing is that the amount of alcohol in the breath is directly proportional to the amount in the blood. This allows police to use a device called a breathalyzer in the process of arresting a DUI. In the state of Florida, it is illegal to drive if your BAC is .1 or higher. Many accidents happen because of drunk drivers. Statistics say that about two of every five Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related car crash at one point in their lives. With blurry vision and compromised judgement, these accidents are sure to happen. (http://library.thinkquest.org/23713/problem/thevictims.html) Research has also shown that in the past decade, four times as many Americans died in drunk driving accidents than were killed in the Vietnam War. (McGuire, 24-28) Drunk driving is the nations most frequently committed violent crime. Alcohol takes a great toll on the economy as well as its abuser. The nation spends billions of dollars annually in loss of productivity, medical expenses, crime and prosecution, and social welfare due to alcohol abuse. (Gross, 4) For each alcohol-related homicide or driving accident, the nation spends thousands in investigations as well as prosecution for those responsible. Alcohol today is consumed by more people in more places and on more occasions than at any other time in history. (Gross, 3) Many jobs are dependent on the sale of alcohol. Bartenders, liquor stores, and winerys make their profit solely on the production and sale of alco...
