In every state it is a criminal offense to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. If you are stopped for a suspected DUI a field sobriety test will usually be administered. If you fail part of the field sobriety test you will be given a breathalyzer test. The most common method law enforcement employs to detect the presence of alcohol in a suspect is the breathalyzer. The breathalyzer test measures your blood alcohol content (BAC.) and determines if you were driving under the influence of alcohol. Each state is free to set its breathalyzer limit chart. But each state wants to follow federal guidelines that threaten to withhold federal highway funds from any state not complying with a 0.08 per se BAC.

State Breathalyzer Limit

A per se charge means you can be convicted of DUI/DWI simply by having the requisite BAC; it need not be proved you were driving in an unsafe or otherwise illegal manner. While each state has complied with the federal mandate for a 0.08 per se BAC, the states vary on what is considered zero tolerance for under-age drivers and how higher BACs are dealt with. It is important to note that any state can change the limits at any time so make sure you are following the current law within your state.  The following chart indicates the current breathalyzer legal limits in the 50 states and the District of Columbia as of early 2016:

State/Per-Se BAC/Zero Tolerance/Enhanced BAC

Alabama 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.15
Alaska 0.08 | 0.00 | 0.15
Arizona 0.08 0.00 0.15
Arkansas 0.08 0.02 0.15
California 0.08 0.01 0.15
Colorado 0.08 0.02 0.17
Connecticut 0.08 0.02 0.16
Delaware 0.08 0.02 0.16
DC 0.08 0.00 0.20
Florida 0.08 0.02 0.20
Georgia 0.08 0.02 0.15
Hawaii 0.08 0.02 N/A
Idaho 0.08 0.02 0.20
Illinois 0.08 0.00 0.16
Indiana 0.08 0.02 0.15
Iowa 0.08 0.02 0.15
Kansas 0.08 0.02 0.15
Kentucky 0.08 0.02 0.18
Louisiana 0.08 0.02 0.15
Maine 0.08 0.00 0.15
Maryland 0.08 0.00 0.15
Massachusetts 0.08 0.02 0.20
Michigan 0.08 0.00 0.17
Minnesota 0.08 0.00 0.20
Mississippi 0.08 0.02 N/A
Missouri 0.08 0.02 0.15
Montana 0.08 0.02 0.16
Nebraska 0.08 0.02 0.18
Nevada 0.08 0.02 0.18
New Hampshire 0.08 0.02 0.16
New Jersey 0.08 0.01 0.15
New Mexico 0.08 0.02 0.16
New York 0.08 0.02 0.18
North Carolina 0.08 0.00 0.16
North Dakota 0.08 0.02 0.18
Ohio 0.08 0.02 0.17
Oklahoma 0.08 0.00 0.15
Oregon 0.08 0.00 0.15
Pennsylvania 0.08 0.00 0.16
Rhode Island 0.08 0.02 0.15
South Carolina 0.08 0.02 0.15
South Dakota 0.08 0.02 0.17
Tennessee 0.08 0.02 0.20
Texas 0.08 0.00 0.15
Utah 0.08 0.00 0.16
Vermont 0.08 0.02 0.16
Virginia 0.08 0.02 0.15
Washington 0.08 0.02 0.15
West Virginia 0.08 0.02 0.15
Wisconsin 0.08 0.00 0.17
Wyoming 0.08 0.02 0.15

Avoiding a DUI/DWI Arrest

Each circumstance is unique, but the state breathalyzer limits of 0.08 can be very easy to reach if you have been drinking even though you may not feel impaired. The only certain method to avoid an alcohol-related driving arrest is to never drink and drive or to always have a designated driver or a ride-sharing option available. However, there are also ways to drink responsibly and not pose a danger to others or yourself while on the road.

One way to objectively measure your ability to drive is through the use of a personal breathalyzer tester such as one of the following:
• BACtrac S80 Pro
• AlcoHAWK PT 5000
• Lifeloc Lifeguard Personal Breathalyzer, more information here
• 2045Tech Floome, website

Whether you are using one of these or other similar devices in bar or a club or at a friend’s house, the important features should include easy to use controls, readability of results, reliable performance and quick results. And of course, you must be certain to follow proper procedures in administering the test.

In Conclusion

We all share the same interest in maintaining safe roadways. By understanding and staying under the breathalyzer limit chart and with a little forethought, preparation and common sense, we can hopefully all get home safely each day.