Driver Performance: Personal Factors Topic 1 -- Introduction to Alcohol – Saying No Topic 2 -- Physiological and Psychological Effects of Alcohol Topic 3 -- Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs on the Driving Task Topic 4 -- Dealing with Driver Fatigue Topic 5 -- Preventing Road Rage Module Seven Transparencies Virginia Department of Education Provided in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

The Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs on Driving Alcohol and driving Drinking and driving Research shows that at least half of all drivers admit to occasionally driving after drinking alcoholic beverages. Two things are not open to debate: 1.Drinking alcohol is illegal in all 50 states for under 21 years of age. 2.Anyone who has been drinking should not drive.

BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION BAC – the percentage of alcohol in the blood Alcohol is not digested – it is absorbed through the stomach and small intestine, directly into the bloodstream

The Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs on Driving Alcohol affects the body and driving ability What is alcohol? Alcohol contained in adult beverages is ethanol, a clear, odorless, depressant drug that slows down and impairs the central nervous system. Alcohol and the brain The first part of the body affected by alcohol is the brain, particularly the part of the brain that allows you to think clearly and make good decisions. ***Judgment is the first thing to be affected**

The Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs on Driving Gender: Alcohol does not affect men and women equally. Body weight: Your weight affects the percentage of alcohol in your blood. Strength of the drink: The stronger the beverage consumed, the higher the BAC will rise. Size of drink: A larger drink will contain more alcohol, and result in a higher BAC than a smaller drink of the same alcohol strength. Food: Food in the stomach does not absorb alcohol, but it can slow the rate at which alcohol is absorbed. Time spent drinking: The faster a drinker consumes alcohol, the more quickly BAC will reach its peak.

The Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs on Driving BAC and time Time is the only thing that will sober you up and the body takes in alcohol quickly, but gets rid of it slowly. If a person drinks more alcohol in one hour than the body can get rid of in that hour, the person’s BAC starts to climb.

Alcohol and Space Management Alcohol and Space Management Searching narrows the field of vision lessens visual acuity impedes the ability to distinguish colors reduces the ability to rapidly change focus from close to far may produce double vision by relaxing the muscles that control the eyes reduces the ability to judge distance accurately After drinking, a driver may tend to stare at the center line.

Alcohol and Space Management Evaluating impairs judgment diminishes the ability to process multiple variables lessens the ability to concentrate

Alcohol and Space Management Executing causes changes in coordination slows reaction time affects the ability to judge distance a drinking driver may perceive something as further away than it is affects ability to judge speed drinking driver may be unable to judge speed of approaching traffic

The Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs on Driving Other drugs and driving A drug is any substance taken by a person to achieve a better physical or mental state, real or imagined. How will a drug affect you? When using any drug, consider the risks and the effects it might have on your ability to perform routine and complex tasks.

The Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs on Driving Prescription, over-the-counter and illegal drugs Prescription drugs May hinder your driving ability by reducing your level of alertness or ability to perform complex tasks. Over-the-counter/non-prescription drugs Always read the label carefully, especially if you intend to drive-- some may cause drowsiness or otherwise impair driving ability. Illegal/illicit drugs An obvious danger in buying street drugs is not knowing what is in them.

The Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs on Driving Drugs vary by type and effect: Most drugs act on the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord.  Stimulants —speed up the system.  Cigarette Smoking, Amphetamines (ADHD meds), etc  Depressants —slow it down.  Alcohol, tranquilizers, etc  Hallucinogens- affects the way a user sees things.  Marijuana, LSD, PCP, etc Inhalants - distorts perception and judgement Fumes from paint, markers, gasoline, etc

The Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs on Driving Hallucinogens Marijuana:  Distorts the user’s sense of reality.  Causes confusion, and impairs judgment and reaction time.  Can act as a stimulant or depressant.  Effects depend on the drug’s strength, user’s mood and experience.  Users often become drowsy and have difficulty judging time, space and speed of movement.  Some users report that they concentrate on only one object at a time.  Marijuana is stored in fat cells and is eliminated very slowly, remaining detectable for up to two weeks.

The Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs on Driving Inhalants  Fumes of paint, markers, nail polish, aerosol sprays, gasoline or other chemical products that some people deliberately inhale to get high.  Breathing such fumes, huffing, distorts perception and impairs judgment.  Users may Become dizzy, lightheaded or lose coordination Have hallucinations Experience damage to the brain, kidneys and liver Loose consciousness Have heart failure  They also can kill the user — with only one use.

The Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs on Driving Drugs and their effects on driving Alcohol, other drugs and crashes There is no doubt that other drugs, whether used alone or with alcohol, are a major driving danger. Testing for drug use Field sobriety tests are used to detect drug-impaired drivers.

The Effects of Distractions, Drowsiness and Emotions on Driving Distracted driving Driving requires your full attention. Driver distraction and inattention are major causes of impairment, resulting in thousands of collisions and deaths each year. An estimated 80 percent of collisions involve driver inattention. Each year, driver inattention is factor in more than 1 million crashes. Looking away two or more seconds doubles the likelihood of a crash. Young drivers are especially susceptible to distracted driving. You can be charged for inattentive driving.

The Effects of Distractions, Drowsiness and Emotions on Driving Inattention and distraction Distraction results when a situation, event or person draws a driver’s focus away from driving. Inattention occurs when a driver’s attention drifts away from driving without having been influenced by a situation, event or person.

The Effects of Distractions, Drowsiness and Emotions on Driving Effects of distraction Distractions can affect driving in at least three ways: Slowed perception Delayed decision-making Improper action

The Effects of Distractions, Drowsiness and Emotions on Driving Types of distractions A physical distraction is one that causes a driver to take his or her hands off the wheel or eyes off the road, such as reaching for an object. Mental distractions are activities that take the driver’s mind away from the road, such as engaging in a conversation with a passenger or thinking about something that happened during the day.

The Effects of Distractions, Drowsiness and Emotions on Driving Cell phones Do not use a cellular phone while driving, but if you must only use it when absolutely necessary! Safely Pull off the Roadway Be legally stopped or parked Call! Do not text

Fatigue is:  The Body’s “Downtime”  Follows a Period of: Extended mental activity Extended physical activity  Characterized by: Reduced capacity for work Reduced efficiency of brain function Definition of Fatigue

Causes of Fatigue Emotional Stress  Emotional Stress  Sleep Disorders  Body’s Natural “downtime”  Midnight to 6 a.m.  1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Disruption of Circadian Rhythm  Disruption of Circadian Rhythm  Extended Physical Activity

Physical Symptoms of Fatigue  Tired Muscles  General Body Sensation of Tiredness  Sleepiness  Mental Dullness

Mental Symptoms of Fatigue  Inability to Maintain Attention  Impaired Memory  Failure to Grasp New Ideas  Difficulty/Slowness in Reasoning

Delaying Fatigue Onset  Avoid Long Drives  Avoid Leaning Forward or Backward  Keep Your Eyes Moving  Get Plenty of Fresh Air  Change Drivers at Regular Intervals  Wear Your Safety Belt

The Effects of Distractions, Drowsiness and Emotions on Driving Emotions can draw a driver’s attention away from driving. Aggressive driving -- Occurs when a driver operates a vehicle in a pushy or bold manner. Road rage- occurs when a driver uses the vehicle or some other weapon to threaten or cause harm to another roadway user in response to a traffic incident.

Aggressive Driving/Road Rage Most Crashes are NOT Accidents They are often the result of drivers whoThey are often the result of drivers who speed;speed; tailgate;tailgate; run red lights;run red lights; weave in and out of traffic; orweave in and out of traffic; or vent frustrations or emotions in the vehicle.vent frustrations or emotions in the vehicle.

Three Types of Aggressive Drivers Three Types of Aggressive Drivers complainingcomplaining rushingrushing competingcompeting resistingresisting yellingyelling cussingcussing staringstaring honkinghonking insultinginsulting cutting offcutting off blockingblocking chasingchasing fightingfighting shootingshooting Quiet Road-Rage: Verbal Road-Rage: Epic Road-Rage: AAAAAGHH!!! YOU’RE TOO SLOW~MOVE!!! What’s the hold up!!! Come on, HURRY UP LET’S GO!!!

Signs of an Aggressive Driver Behaving impatiently with slower driversBehaving impatiently with slower drivers Honking the horn or screamingHonking the horn or screaming SpeedingSpeeding Not coming to a complete stop at stop signsNot coming to a complete stop at stop signs Making gesturesMaking gestures Passing on shoulder or unpaved areasPassing on shoulder or unpaved areas

Preventing Road Rage If Confronted by an Aggressive Driver Avoid horn useAvoid horn use Don’t block the passing laneDon’t block the passing lane Don’t tailgateDon’t tailgate Keep music at a reasonable levelKeep music at a reasonable level Avoid eye contactAvoid eye contact Try to get out of the wayTry to get out of the way Put your pride in the back seatPut your pride in the back seat Ignore gestures and refuse to return themIgnore gestures and refuse to return them

Preventing Road Rage Don’t Respond -- Stay COOL. Don’t react to other drivers’ aggressive actions.Don’t Respond -- Stay COOL. Don’t react to other drivers’ aggressive actions. Don’t Engage -- Stay away from vehicles driving recklessly.Don’t Engage -- Stay away from vehicles driving recklessly. Don’t Up the Ante -- Don’t take traffic problems personally.Don’t Up the Ante -- Don’t take traffic problems personally. Swallow Your Pride -- Take a courteous and helpful attitude toward other drivers.Swallow Your Pride -- Take a courteous and helpful attitude toward other drivers. Choose the Road “LESS Traveled” -- Avoid aggressive drivers by traveling less congested roadways.Choose the Road “LESS Traveled” -- Avoid aggressive drivers by traveling less congested roadways.

Preventing Road Rage  Controlling Emotions --  Controlling Emotions -- Smiles and courtesy can minimize feelings of hostility.  Responding to Errors -- A  Responding to Errors -- Assume other drivers’ mistakes are not personal and be polite and courteous even if the other driver is not.  Making Errors --  Making Errors -- Expect other drivers to make mistakes.  Response to problems --  Response to problems -- Tell yourself to take a few deep breaths and say: “I won’t let this get to me.”