Final answer:
Roadside penalties can occur in many US states for drivers with a BAC of 0.08% or higher as measured by a Breathalyzer test. Metabolism of alcohol takes time, typically requiring at least five hours to sober up from the legal intoxication limit.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amount of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that can result in roadside penalties varies by country, but in the majority of US states, a BAC of 0.08% is the legal limit, and anything at or above this level can lead to penalties for driving under the influence. >The legal limit is based on the amount of ethanol in the blood, which can be measured using a Breathalyzer, a device that measures the ethanol concentration in a person's breath. Alcohol metabolism occurs at a rate of about 3.3 mmol/L (15 mg/dL) per hour, meaning it takes a considerable amount of time for alcohol to be fully metabolized by the human body. To avoid penalties and ensure safety, it is critical not to drive until you are sober, which can take at least five hours for those who have reached the legal intoxication limit.