BACtrack Consumption Report - Summer 2015
For the fourth time, BACtrack shares consumer Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) data for review and analysis. The data provides insight into alcohol consumption patterns around the nation, and is regularly updated and analyzed.
In this report, we examine average BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) levels during the Summer months of June, July and August 2014. The data was gleaned from over 71K unique BAC tests that were collected anonymously from users of BACtrack Mobile, BACtrack's award-winning smartphone breathalyzer, and BACtrack Vio.
View our interactive chart below. Hover over the calendar days to view average BAC levels by day.
When Do Americans Drink the Most During Summer?
It’s no surprise that many Americans spend their summers floating down rivers or cruising across lakes with drinks in hand. According to BACtrack data, the summer booze cruise starts and ends on a high note, only declining slightly towards the end of July.
- The Summer Solstice, the official start of summer, and July 4th are tied for the booziest days, with an average BAC of 0.082%.
- Over 47% of days throughout the summer months (June, July and August) have an average BAC above 0.060%, the national average throughout the entire year.
- 8 of the 13 biggest drinking days of the summer are Saturdays, with average BACs between 0.075% and 0.082%.
- There are five summer days with an average BAC above the legal limit of 0.080%: June 7, June 14, June 21, July 3, and July 4.
Americans Celebrate their Independence by Drinking
Nothing says “America” like a good drink and some red, white and blue.
- The 4th of July is tied with the Summer Solstice as the booziest day of summer, with an average BAC of 0.082%.
- July 3rd comes in at a very close second, with an average BAC of 0.081%.
- The week leading up to the fourth of July is the booziest week of the summer, with an average BAC of 0.075%. No other week has an average BAC over 0.070%.
- July 4th is one of the most dangerous times on the road. According to a recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study, 8.3% of drivers during weekend nighttime hours were found to have alcohol in their system. Based on this study and our analysis of user data, we estimate the percentage of people with a positive BAC roughly triples on July 4th vs. other non-holiday weekend nights -- one out of every four drivers on the road has consumed some amount of alcohol.
Most Sober Days of Summer
BACtrack found the summer days with the lowest average BACs are Mondays and Tuesdays, and that Americans drink the least at the end of July but then regain their drinking stamina throughout August.
- Tuesday, August 5th registered the lowest average BAC of 0.034%, followed by Monday, July 21st (0.039% average BAC), Monday, June 9 and Monday Aug 4 (both 0.040% average BAC).
- Looking at weekly BACs, the lowest average BAC was the last week of July, which registered at 0.058%.
- Americans increase consumption again the following week, at the start of August, with an average BAC of 0.061%.
States with the Highest Summer BACs
View our interactive chart below. Hover over the U.S. States to view average BAC levels by state.
BACtrack found the U.S. States with the highest and lowest average summer BACs are all over the map, quite literally.
- States with the highest average BACs West Virginia (0.103%), Nevada (0.095%), Pennsylvania (0.088%), Connecticut (0.088%), and Nebraska (0.082%).
- Those with the lowest average BACs are Kentucky (0.039%), Delaware (0.042%), Washington D.C. (0.043%).
Also, don't miss results from our first BACtrack Consumption Report, released in June 2014, our second report released in December 2014, and our third report, released in February 2015.
Methodology
Data for the BACtrack Consumption Report was collected anonymously from users of the BACtrack app, which syncs with BACtrack Mobile and BACtrack Vio smartphone breathalyzers, and represents 71,618 unique BAC tests collected from June 1, 2014 through August 31, 2014. Data used in the report was collected from U.S. users with data storage activated, location services turned on, and does not represent data from all users.
Media inquiries, contact media@bactrack.com or Stacey Sachs at stacey.sachs@bactrack.com or 415/425-8324.
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How a BACtrack Works
When alcohol is consumed, it is absorbed from the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines into the bloodstream.
As blood flows through the lungs, alcohol in the bloodstream moves across the membranes of the lung’s air sacs (alveoli) into the air. The concentration of the alcohol in the alveolar air is directly related to the concentration of the alcohol in the blood. As the alveolar air is exhaled, the alcohol in it can be detected by the breath alcohol testing device.
BACtrack Mobile and BACtrack Vio Smartphone Breathalyzers
All data in this study was collected from the BACtrack Mobile, BACtrack's award-winning smartphone breathalyzer with police-grade Xtend®Fuel Cell Sensor Technology, and BACtrack Vio, BACtrack's newest smartphone breathalyzer model. When a user blows into BACtrack Mobile or BACtrack Vio, BAC results are wirelessly transmitted via Bluetooth® to an iOS or Android device, including Apple Watch. With the free BACtrack companion app, a user can get more than a simple BAC result -- they can track, save and share BAC results, attach a note or photo to a result, and with BACtrack's ZeroLine® feature, get an estimate of when their BAC will return to 0.00%.
About BACtrack
San Francisco-based BACtrack is the leader in breathalyzers, offering a full range of innovative products for both personal and professional use. Founded in 2001, BACtrack helps people monitor their blood alcohol content and make informed decisions about alcohol consumption. In April 2013, BACtrack launched BACtrack Mobile, the world's first smartphone breathalyzer that uses fuel cell sensor technology and Bluetooth connectivity and has since won Popular Science's 'Best of What's New' Award for its innovation in health. In April 2014, BACtrack was rated the #1 breathalyzer brand by Car and Driver Magazine. BACtrack breathalyzers are available in 20 countries and at over 15,000 store locations including Walgreens, Costco, Best Buy, and Pep Boys. BACtrack products can also be purchased online at BACtrack.com, Amazon, Walmart.com and Target.com. BACtrack products have been featured on Oprah's All Stars, The Dr.Phil Show, The Doctors, and MythBusters. Connect with BACtrack via Twitter and on Facebook. For more company information, explore our site, www.bactrack.com.