Alcoholemia: rate in France, sanction, how many glasses?

What is the definition of blood alcohol content?

Blood alcohol content refers to the presence of alcohol in the blood or in the exhaled air due to the ingestion of alcohol. It is measured in grams per liter of blood or in milligrams per liter of exhaled air.

How many drinks can you drink so as not to exceed the blood alcohol level?

Each glass of alcohol raises the alcohol level by 0.20g to 0.25g on average (0.30g for thinner people). Two glasses of alcohol are enough to reach 0.50 g of alcohol per liter of blood (maximum rate authorized in France).

What is the legal blood alcohol level in France?

The authorized blood alcohol level limit set by law in 2020 is 0.5g/L of blood either in equivalent 0.25 mg per liter of exhaled air.

What is the legal blood alcohol level for a young driver?

Since July 1, 2015, the legal blood alcohol level is 0.2 g/L of blood or 0.10 mg/l exhaled air for young drivers. Same thing if you have a probationary license or are in a learning situation.

Does the blood alcohol level also apply to bicycles?

Yes. As the site of the Road safety “Cyclists are subject to the same rules as other drivers”. Their blood alcohol level must therefore pass 0.5 g of alcohol per liter of blood. In the event of serious cycling offenses such as driving while intoxicatedthe court may decide to apply an additional penalty such as suspension or cancellation of the car or motorcycle licence.

The calculation of the blood alcohol level makes it possible to measure the alcohol content in the blood defined in grams per liter of blood. This varies according to:

• The amount ingested
• The weight of the individual
• The alcohol content of the drink
• The time of ingestion
• sex
• The subject’s state of health.

You must know that :

• blood alcohol level is maximum one hour after a meal, 15 minutes if fasting.
• whatever the alcoholic beverage, a “drink” represents roughly the same amount of alcohol.
• each glass consumed raises the alcohol level from 0.20 g to 0.25 g on average,
• for the thinners, each glass can represent an alcohol level of 0.30 g.
• the blood alcohol level drops on average from 0.10 g to 0.15 g of alcohol per liter of blood in 1 hour.
• With equal consumption, women are more sensitive to alcohol than men.

Tests to measure your blood alcohol level

With alcohol, the lateral visual field is narrowed

Drinking and driving can have serious consequences. “The sedative effect of alcohol causes a decrease in alertness and decreases our reflexes. If, on average, the reaction time is evaluated at one second before the start of braking under normal conditions, it reaches one and a half seconds from 0.50 g/l of alcohol in the blood“, specifies Dr Philippe Goëb, general practitioner. Thus, a vehicle traveling at 90km/h travels 25 meters in one second and 37 meters in one and a half seconds, i.e. 12 meters more to stop. The lateral visual field is also narrowed, to the point that the driver has difficulty distinguishing signs, pedestrians about to cross and cars arriving from perpendicular streets. “The disinhibiting effect of alcohol also leads the driver to underestimate the risks and to transgress the prohibitions, hence excessive speeds, negligence in wearing a seat belt or helmet, dangerous overtaking, etc.“, adds Dr. Goëb. From 0.50 g/l, the risk of an accident is multiplied by two, by ten from 0.80 g/l. Hence the importance of measuring your blood alcohol level before hitting the road and, if necessary, leaving the wheel to another person.

Breathalyzer

The breathalyzer is a balloon in which you have to blow. The exhaled air passes through a tube containing a yellow chemical reagent. If the reagent turns green, this indicates a suspected blood alcohol level. The test must then be completed with a breathalyzer.

Breathalyzer

The breathalyzer is an electronic device that measures the amount of alcohol ingested. It can be supplemented by a blood test. Breathalyzers have been on sale in supermarkets since the summer of 2021.

Blood test

The blood test is performed in case of injuries preventing breathing. “Or to objectify an excess of alcohol level measured at the place of control by the gendarmes”, says our expert.

Breathalyzer

The breathalyzer measures the alcohol level in milligrams per liter of exhaled air. The results are indisputable.

What are the penalties if you have a blood alcohol level of 0.5 g?

• Alcohol level between 0.5 and 0.8 grams per liter of blood:

• Fine of up to 750 euros or fixed fine of 135 euros
• Driving license suspension (3 years)
• Loss of 6 driving license points
• Prohibition to drive a vehicle without EAD (3 years)

• Alcohol level greater than 0.8g (= offence):

• Up to 2 years imprisonment.
• Fine of up to €4,500.
• Forfeiture of vehicle
• Cancellation of the license (with prohibition to renew it for a maximum of 3 years);
• Road safety awareness course at the expense of the offender;
• Prohibition on driving a vehicle not fitted with an approved alcohol ignition interlock device (EAD), for a maximum period of 5 years. Violation of this prohibition constitutes an offence, punishable by 2 years’ imprisonment and a fine of €4,500.
• Withdrawal of 6 points on the driving license

Committed as a repeat offence, this offense is punishable by the automatic cancellation of the driving license with a ban on driving a vehicle not equipped with an EAD for a maximum of 3 years, as well as the compulsory confiscation of the vehicle which was used to commit the crime. offense if the convicted person is its owner.

• Accident under the influence of alcohol:

• Fine of up to €150,000,
• 10 years imprisonment.

What symptoms when the blood alcohol level is too high?

Between 0.5 and 1.5 g per litre:

• Drunkenness
• Facial redness
• Euphoria.

Between 1.5 and 3 g per liter

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Balance disorders
• Visual disturbances
• Speech difficulties

Between 3 and 5 g per litre:

Greater than 6 g per litre:

How much alcohol do we eliminate per hour?

Contrary to popular belief, neither salty coffee, nor a spoonful of oil, nor taking an aspirin do not accelerate the elimination of alcohol from the blood. “The only solution is to wait, warn the doctor. While a small proportion of alcohol is eliminated through exhaled air and urine, 95% of the alcohol consumed is burned by the liver. And, it takes time: a healthy subject eliminates between 0.10 and 0.15 g/l of alcohol per hour. It therefore takes more than an hour for the body to absorb a glass of alcohol.“.

Thanks to Dr Philippe Goëb, general practitioner. Statements collected in 2020. Sources: Road Safety / ANSM