Alcohol, other drugs, and driving Chpt 6

facts on alcohol & driving Drivers aged 16-20 are more likely to be alcohol-impaired than any other age group Young drinking drivers are involved in fatal crashes twice as often as drivers 21 and older More than half of all fatalities during holidays are alcohol related Most drunk drivers have been drinking beer

Affects on behavior Reaction Time Coordination Judgment Reasoning Vision Abilities

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) The percentage of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream Factors affecting BAC The amount What type Body weight Gender Food intake slows absorption but will hit you later

levels of intoxication Any person driving over 21 = .08 % UNDER 21 = .01%

15.1 BAC chart (male) How many drinks until you are over the legal limit?

15.1 BAC chart (female) How many drinks until you are over the legal limit?

15.3 Alcohol and Traffic Laws Implied-Consent Law This means anyone who receives a driver’s license automatically gives consent to be tested for BAC or drugs if asked to by an officer If the driver refuses to cooperate, they can have their license suspended An insurance surcharge of $1000 a year for 3 years House parties: A host of the party can become involved in a lawsuit if alcohol is served Zero-Tolerance Law No person under the age of 21 can be driving with any measurable amount of alcohol in their blood

The only thing that can sober a person is TIME The liver burns up to ¾ a drink a hour

Responsible decision making The safest decision a person can make about drinking alcohol is to abstain from consuming it all together. The safest decision is NOT to drink and drive BAC of .05% = Double the risk A BAC of .10% = Six X the risk A BAC of .15% = 25 X the risk

The end