Start My Answer
loading...

What Does BAC Stand For?

Chloe Meltzer | October 19, 2022

Chloe-Meltzer
Legal Expert
Chloe Meltzer, MA

Chloe Meltzer is an experienced content writer specializing in legal content creation. She holds a degree in English Literature from Arizona State University, complemented by a Master’s in Marketing from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Summary: Here is SoloSuit's guide on everything you need to know about BAC.

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit: A Student Solution To Give Utah Debtors A Fighting Chance

If you have ever had a few drinks and gone to drive your car, the worst thing that could happen is to be pulled over by a police officer. If this has happened to you, then you might have faced some serious problems. Additionally, you may have heard the officers mention the term “BAC”. If your BAC is too high, you might face a drinking and driving alcohol charge, but what does BAC stand for?

What does BAC stand for?

BAC stands for blood alcohol concentration, which is also known as blood alcohol content. It is usually abbreviated and referred to as BAC. It is the percentage of alcohol that you have in your bloodstream.

Like we said, if you are caught driving at a certain BAC level, you can be arrested and charged for DUI. In most states, driving with a BAC level of .08 is illegal.

What determines a BAC

There are several factors that might determine a BAC. For example:

  • Weight
  • Gender
  • How much alcohol has been consumed
  • Period of time the alcohol was consumed
  • Medications that might affect how the body metabolizes alcohol

BAC vs BrAC

BrAC is a person's breath alcohol concentration. It is measured by breathing into a breathalyzer or any similar breath tester. However, most devices measuring BrAC, convert it automatically into a BAC.

Although it may not make sense right away, the reason a breathalyzer can figure out the BAC is that your blood passes through your lungs in order to provide it with oxygen. Your blood has alcohol in it, and therefore, the alcohol evaporates when you breathe and is let out through the mouth. This is the same reason why alcohol can be smelled on the breath.

Once you exhale, the breathalyzer uses sensors to analyze the air that is filled with alcohol. First, your BrAC is measured, and it is then converted into a BAC measurement.

How to convert BrAC to BAC

The ratio between BrAC and BAC is 2100:1. This means that for every 2100 milliliters of air in the breath, it will have the same alcohol content as one milliliter of blood in the body. The number expressed for BAC is in grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. The difference with BrAC is that it is often expressed as the number of milligrams of alcohol in one liter of air.

Although BAC and BrAC can be used interchangeably, BAC is more commonly used. In fact, BrAC is usually only used when referring to breathalyzer test results.

Both BAC and BrAC are reliable measurements. However, a breathalyzer test is usually given by a police officer who can quickly determine if someone is too impaired to drive. In order to obtain a BAC, the driver would usually be taken to the hospital for a blood test. BrAC would be done with a handheld device.

The BAC scale

The BAC scale level is the method of seeing if someone is intoxicated. It is usually the first line of defense when it comes to a drinking and driving case in court. The BAC is usually taken with a breathalyzer because the alcohol levels in a person's breath also display the level of alcohol in the blood. The BAC scale includes:

  • BAC .001 – .029: Light impairment and floaty feeling
  • BAC .03 – .059: Diminished concentration, easily distracted
  • BAC .06 – .099: Lowered or impaired reasoning, visual processing is slower and it is more difficult to adjust to glare, and ability to adjust to light glare
  • BAC .1 – .199: Dramatically slowed reflexes, response time, and gross motor skills are slower, as well as speaking may be slurred
  • BAC .2 – .299: Severe loss of motor skills, blacking out, memory loss
  • BAC .3 or higher: Emergency room required, severe risk of respiratory compromise or poisoning death

How to measure BAC

Carrying a breathalyzer is not always an option. However, there are many things that affect your BAC, such as stress, how much food has been eaten, and what type of alcohol was consumed. These cannot predict each individual's health and wellness as well. The only true way to measure BAC is to take a breathalyzer test. In addition, if you have doubts about driving, then you should not do so.

Alternatives to drinking and driving

When you drink and drive, you dramatically increase the chances of seriously injuring yourself and others. Instead of drinking and driving, consider calling an Uber, Lyft, taxi, or a friend to pick you up. Additionally, you can prepare ahead of time so that you always have someone you can call. You could also ask someone to give you a ride if it feels safe.

If you do not have the option to call someone, simply stay where you are until you are sober. If you are not sure whether or not you feel good to drive, wait longer.

The most important thing to remember is not to sit in the seat of your car while you are sobering up. If you are seated, you can be considered an operator of a car. Even if the car is not on, you can still be charged with a DUI.

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to respond to a debt collection lawsuit.

How it works: SoloSuit is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your answer. Upon completion, you can either print the completed forms and mail in the hard copies to the courts or you can pay SoloSuit to file it for you and to have an attorney review the document.

Respond with SoloSuit

"First time getting sued by a debt collector and I was searching all over YouTube and ran across SoloSuit, so I decided to buy their services with their attorney reviewed documentation which cost extra but it was well worth it! SoloSuit sent the documentation to the parties and to the court which saved me time from having to go to court and in a few weeks the case got dismissed!" – James

Get Started

We have answers.
Join our community of over 40,000 people.

You can ask your questions on the SoloSuit forum and the community will help you out. Whether you need help now or are just looking for support, we're here for you.

Ask a Question.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

Guides on how to resolve debt with every debt collector

Are you being sued by a debt collector? We’re making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

Resolve your debt with your creditor

Some creditors, banks, and lenders have an internal collections department. If they come after you for a debt, Solosuit can still help you respond and resolve the debt. Here’s a list of guides on how to resolve debt with different creditors.

Settle your medical debt

Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.

Guides on arbitration

If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

Stop calls from debt collectors

Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it’s a debt collector on the other line? If you’ve been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we’ll tell you how to stop them.

Federal debt collection laws can protect you

Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

Get debt relief in your state

We’ve created a specialized guide on how to find debt relief in all 50 states, complete with steps to take to find relief, state-specific resources, and more.

Debt collection laws in all 50 states

Debt collection laws vary by state, so we have compiled a guide to each state’s debt collection laws to make it easier for you to stand up for your rights—no matter where you live.

Statute of limitations on debt state guides

Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote a guide on each state’s statutes. Check it out below.

Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection by State (Best Guide)

Check the status of your court case

Don’t have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We’ve created a guide on how to check the status of your case in every state, complete with online search tools and court directories.

How to stop wage garnishment in your state

Forgot to respond to your debt lawsuit? The judge may have ordered a default judgment against you, and with a default judgment, debt collectors can garnish your wages. Here are our guides on how to stop wage garnishment in all 50 states.

Other wage garnishment resources

How to settle a debt in your state

Debt settlement is one of the most effective ways to resolve a debt and save money. We’ve created a guide on how to settle your debt in all 50 states. Find out how to settle in your state with a simple click and explore other debt settlement resources below.

How to settle with every debt collector

Not sure how to negotiate a debt settlement with a debt collector? We are creating guides to help you know how to start the settlement conversation and increase your chances of coming to an agreement with every debt collector.

Other debt settlement resources

Personal loan and debt relief reviews

We give a factual review of the following debt consolidation, debt settlement, and loan organizations and companies to help you make an informed decision before you take on a debt.

How to repair and improve your credit score

Debt has a big impact on your credit. Below is a list of guides on how to repair and improve your credit, even while managing major debt.

How to resolve student loan debt

Struggling with student debt? SoloSuit’s got you covered. Below are resources on handling student loan debt.

Civil law legal definitions

You can represent yourself in court. Save yourself the time and cost of finding an attorney, and use the following resources to understand legal definitions better and how they may apply to your case.

Get answers to these FAQs on debt collection

How-to debt guides

Learn more with these additional debt resources

It only takes 15 minutes.

And 50% of our customers' cases have been dismissed in the past.


"Finding yourself on the wrong side of the law unexpectedly is kinda scary. I started researching on YouTube and found SoloSuit's channel. The videos were so helpful, easy to understand and encouraging. When I reached out to SoloSuit they were on it. Very professional, impeccably prompt. Thanks for the service!" - Heather



Get Started


Contents