The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit in Pawtucket and across Rhode Island is 0.08 percent for drivers 21 and over. For drivers under 21, the limit is 0.02 percent under the zero-tolerance underage drinking law. Commercial drivers face a stricter 0.04 percent limit while operating a commercial vehicle. Driving with a BAC at or above these thresholds is per se DUI, meaning the prosecution does not need to prove impairment beyond the test result. Even below 0.08, you can be charged with DUI if the officer believes you are impaired based on driving behavior and field sobriety tests.
