Editing Blood alcohol content (section)

== Legal limits ==
{{Main|Drunk driving law by country}}
[[File:Map of European countries by maximum blood alcohol level.svg|thumb|right|300px|Map of Europe showing countries' blood alcohol limits as defined in g/dL for the general population]]

For purposes of law enforcement, blood alcohol content is used to define intoxication and provides a rough measure of impairment. Although the degree of impairment may vary among individuals with the same blood alcohol content, it can be measured objectively and is therefore legally useful and difficult to contest in court. Most countries forbid operation of motor vehicles and heavy machinery above prescribed levels of blood alcohol content. Operation of boats and aircraft is also regulated. Some jurisdictions also regulate bicycling under the influence. The alcohol level at which a person is considered legally impaired to drive varies by country.