What does "per se" refer to in the context of DUI laws?

In the context of DUI laws, "per se" refers specifically to the legal principle that defines an act as a DUI if an individual's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above the established legal limit, regardless of whether their driving ability is visibly impaired. This means that simply having a BAC level that exceeds the legal threshold—often 0.08% in many jurisdictions—automatically classifies the individual as driving under the influence. This legal definition simplifies the prosecution of DUI cases, as it does not require proving actual impairment through driving behavior or performance on field sobriety tests. This clear-cut standard helps law enforcement enforce DUI laws uniformly and protects public safety by discouraging individuals from driving after consuming alcohol to the level that exceeds the legal BAC limit.