Final answer:
A motorist with a BAC slightly above 0.05 percent has an increased risk of causing a motor vehicle accident. This level of alcohol in the bloodstream impairs driving-related skills and judgment, and the risk increases as the BAC approaches and surpasses the legal intoxication level of 0.08%. The only way to reduce this risk is by allowing time for the body to fully metabolize the alcohol.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a motorist has reached a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) slightly above 0.05 percent, their risk of causing a motor vehicle accident increases significantly. The ability to perform tasks that require judgment and skill, which are crucial for safe driving, is detrimentally affected by the consumption of alcohol. A BAC level of 0.08% is considered legally intoxicated in most US states, and even at lower levels like 0.05%, impairment in coordination, judgment, and vision can begin to occur, making driving hazardous. It's important to note that alcohol metabolism rates vary among individuals, and the only effective way to avoid alcohol toxicity and the associated risk of accidents is to allow the liver enough time to fully metabolize the ingested alcohol. Drinking coffee or taking a shower will not speed up this process. Typically, the legal limit for intoxication and an increased crash risk is pegged at a BAC of 0.08. However, impairment and elevated crash risk begin well before reaching this threshold, thus, a motorist with a BAC slightly above 0.05 percent is already at heightened risk for causing an accident.