Over the Limit: Blood Alcohol Content by State is an article for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be legal advice or substitutes legal representation.
According to the National Highway Traffic Association, there is one death every 50 minutes related to motor vehicle crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver, (NHTA.com). A person’s blood alcohol level (BAC) is the measured percentage of alcohol in an individual’s bloodstream and is determined by gender, weight, quantity, type of drink and length of time from the first drink.
BAC Level by State: The federally mandated standard of 0.08% BAC or higher was established and adopted by all 50 states including the District of Colombia in 1998. Operating a vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or higher is illegal. The BAC for commercial vehicle drivers, including rental and U-Haul trucks is 0.04%. In addition, most states also have a Zero Tolerance Law for drivers under the age of 21 as well as harsher penalties for individuals with excessively high BAC levels.
| STATE | PER-SE BAC LEVEL | ZERO TOLERANCE BAC LEVEL | ENHANCED PENALTY BAC LEVEL |
| KANSAS DUI | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.15 |
| MISSOURI DWI | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.15 |
Driving or operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in every state. DUI/DWI laws and punishments vary from state to state including jail time, fines, and/or license suspensions. If you have been issued a DUI/DWI in Kansas or Missouri, the Law Offices of Reginald Keith Davis can help you navigate the waters ahead. Contact them at (913) 299-8789.