Georgia DUI Male versus Female
While males make up the majority of driving under the influence arrests, the percentage of Georgia DUI and male versus female is quickly growing. One of the main reasons is that females are physiologically different than males. A female who drinks the same amount as a male of the same size will have a higher blood alcohol content (BAC) when tested with a breathalyzer.Females metabolize alcohol more slowly than men because they have less of the enzyme ADH, which converts alcohol into acetate. Since males have more ADH, less alcohol reaches their bloodstream.
Most females have a higher fat-to-muscle ratio than men. This ratio has a direct effect on how your body absorbs alcohol. The typical male’s body is 68% water; however, the typical female’s body is 55% water. Water mixes with alcohol and is distributed throughout the body, which means that a male is able to dilute alcohol faster than a female.
Hormones can also play a role in a female’s BAC. A female’s body temperature is often elevated during her premenstrual cycle or menopause. If a female is tested at these times, her BAC may be artificially inflated. Why is this? Breathalyzers operate under the assumption that the breath sample is 98.6% Fahrenheit. Every degree over this temperature will result in a 7% increase of the BAC levels. Birth control pills can also produce a higher BAC level.
If you are a female who has been arrested and charged with a Georgia DUI offense, speaking with a qualified defense attorney is strongly advised. Your lawyer can evaluate your case to determine if factors such as your body temperature may have played a role in your BAC level. If necessary, a medical or breathalyzer expert may investigate your results and testify on your behalf.
Our attorneys understand Georgia DUI and the male versus female issue. To learn how our experience can help your case, please contact our law office today by completing our online form.
