What was the most frequently recorded BAC level among drinking drivers in fatal crashes?

• A. .08
• B. .16
• C. .20
• D. .10

Answer: (B)

The level of impairment that most often appears in fatal crashes is the one that sits well above the legal limit, roughly around twice that limit. This shows that severe impairment is more closely tied to fatal outcomes than just being slightly over the legal threshold. In other words, among drinking drivers involved in fatal crashes, you’re more likely to see a BAC at a higher level than near the minimum impairment point. The idea is that as BAC rises, coordination, judgment, and reaction time worsen, and fatalities become more likely; the data reflect this with the most common recorded level being the higher, more severely impairing range. Lower levels near the limit occur less frequently in fatal crashes, even though they can cause impairment, because the risk of a fatal outcome climbs significantly as BAC increases.