What is a significant risk factor for increasing BAC?

Consuming alcohol quickly is a significant risk factor for increasing blood alcohol concentration (BAC) because it does not allow the body adequate time to metabolize the alcohol being ingested. When alcohol is consumed rapidly, it enters the bloodstream at a much faster rate, leading to a sharp increase in BAC. This can impair judgment, coordination, and reaction times far more severely than if the same amount of alcohol were consumed over a longer period.

In contrast, eating after drinking can help slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, which may moderate the rise in BAC. Drinking water between alcoholic beverages is a common strategy used to maintain hydration and potentially reduce the overall rate of alcohol consumption, which can also help in keeping BAC lower. Driving at night may present its own challenges, but it does not have a direct effect on BAC levels.