What is Alcohol By Volume (ABV)?
The percentage of pure alcohol (ethanol) contained in the liquid beverage. For example, a light beer usually has 4-5% ABV while a distilled liquor usually has 40% or more ABV. For this reason, one would experience more of an intoxicating effect from drinking 5 oz of liquor instead of 5 oz of beer.
How Does Black-out Beer Compare to Other Beers?
Higher Alcohol by Volume indicates more alcohol intake per sip. For instance liquor that is 80 proof is considered 40% alcohol by volume. You can use the Blood Alcohol Calculator on the Cleveland Clinic's website to learn how drinking higher ABV beer reduces an individual's ability to safely consume multiple drinks before driving.
How Does Black-out Beer Impact Motor Vehicle Operation?
*According to calculations on the Cleveland Clinic Blood Alcohol Content Calculator. These estimations do not serve as legal advice or recommendations they serve only as hypothetical examples based on the Cleveland Clinic Blood Alcohol Content Calculator. 1
- A 150lb individual can consume 3 light beers in one hour and may still be able to legally drive.
- That same 150lb individual may be considered legally intoxicated after consuming 1 beer over the course of an hour with an ABV of 15.9%.
- A 150lb individual consuming 1 black-out beer over the course of an hour at 21% ABV would have a blood alcohol level of .111; the legal threshold for impaired driving is .08. If that same person consumed 1 20oz beer instead of a 12oz beer the blood alcohol level would be .195; more than double the legal limit.
|
Why Can't Responsible Adults Make a Choice About Black-out Beer?
- The higher levels of alcohol may impact adults differently than our average light beer.
- Science shows that drinking just one black-out beer, which is different from our average light beer or craft beers currently on the market, may impair driving.
- Adults may continue to consume the same number of beers, but may be consuming a substantially higher level of alcohol due to the higher alcoholic content in the black-out beer, thus achieving an intoxication level higher than normal without notice.
- Many consumers seek selection however a beer at 21% ABV causes substantially higher levels of intoxication than the currently legal 12% ABV beer.
- Drinking just one 21% beer and driving afterwards may result in an alcohol related auto accident or an OVI depending on the impact of the beer to an adult's blood alcohol content. This high level of impact is not experienced with normal beers currently on the market.
- Black-out beers could be very dangerous for youth and younger drinkers since they are inexperienced with beer at such a high ABV and may experience increased risks of alcohol poisoning.
- The effects of black-out beer are unpredictable to an unsuspecting consumer
Why is Moderation Key?
- 88,000 deaths a year and 2.5 million years of potential life lost are attributed to excessive alcohol use in the U.S.3
- Excessive drinking costs $249 Billion every year in the U.S.3
- Excessive drinking leads to increased risk of injuries and accidents in addition to death3
- Violence and other crimes become more prevalent as a result of excessive consumption3
- Risk of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and liver problems are more likely 3
Make The New Year's Resolution
Ohioans need to know where we stand on attempts to increase easy access to drugs and highly intoxicating substances. Without our voice speaking out, a vocal minority will continue to increase easy access to drugs and highly intoxicating substances. In the last several years a number of bills have passed making positive changes and improving our ability to make decisions to partake or not in enhanced entertainment options. But we have gone far enough. Take this survey to let Ohioans know where you stand on easy access to drugs and highly intoxicating substances.
Information collected from this form will likely be deemed a public record that is subject to inspection and copying by the public, unless an exemption in law exists. Please be aware that Ohio law requires us to disclose the information collected in this form despite requests to keep information confidential.
References
1. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/tools-quizzes/Blood_Alcohol_Calculator
2.http://www.celtic-whisky.com/glossary.htm
3 http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm
2.http://www.celtic-whisky.com/glossary.htm
3 http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm