What is the legal limit for a BAC in my state?
In Virginia, the legal limit for Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is 0.08%. This limit is strictly enforced by law and is the same limit for both adults and minors. The legal limit means that if your BAC is 0.08% or higher, you are considered to be legally intoxicated and can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). For those under 21, Virginia has what is called a “zero tolerance” policy which means that any amount of alcohol detected could lead to an arrest for DUI. This also applies to adults, as it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with any amount of alcohol in your system if you are under 21 years of age. It is important to note that a BAC of 0.08% is the legal limit, but it doesn’t mean that you are “safe” from being charged with a DUI if you have a BAC lower than 0.08%. Virginia law allows officers to arrest and charge someone with a DUI if their BAC is lower than 0.08%, but there must be visible evidence of impairment, such as slurred speech, erratic driving behaviors, or difficulty completing roadside sobriety tests. In these cases, an individual can still be charged with a DUI, even if their BAC is lower than 0.08%. For those operating motor vehicles in Virginia, it is important to remember that the legal BAC limit is 0.08% and that any amount of alcohol may lead to a DUI charge. It is always best to exercise caution when drinking and driving and to never operate a motor vehicle when under the influence of alcohol.
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