How many hours does it take for a person with a BAC of .08% to become sober?

A person with a BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) of .08% typically requires time to metabolize the alcohol consumed and return to a sober state. The average rate at which the body eliminates alcohol is about 0.015% BAC per hour.

To calculate the time needed to become sober from a .08% BAC, you can divide the BAC level by the rate of elimination. In this case, .08% divided by .015% per hour equals approximately 5.33 hours. This means that it would take slightly more than five hours for the individual to recover from a BAC of .08% and be considered legally sober.

This timeframe is significant because it emphasizes the importance of planning ahead when consuming alcohol, as individuals may underestimate the time necessary for their bodies to remove alcohol. Understanding the factors that affect alcohol metabolism can help individuals make safer choices about drinking and driving.