Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Driving Chapter 7

Alcohol Facts Alcohol is the major factor in at least 50% of all traffic deaths. Almost 20,000 are killed and 300,000 are injured every year. (1 death every 30 minutes on Americas highways) Approximately 60% of all alcohol related deaths involve ages 16-24. 10pm-3am on Friday and Saturday at least 1 of every 10 drivers are legally drunk. One common effect of alcohol is a feeling of well being called euphoria. Some people think they are more skilled when in reality alcohol is a depressant and slows down the body’s functions.

Alcohol’s effects on Mental and Physical Abilities Alcohol is not digested but absorbed into the bloodstream where it quickly (within minutes) reaches the brain.

After one drink….. Affect judgment, reasoning, and concentration Reduce coordination Distort depth perception Alter moods & emotions

IPDE Process is impaired when reasoning and judgment are reduced Stares in one direction & fails to keep eyes moving Slow to interpret what you see Errors in predicting space, speed, and times which results in making poor decisions

Parts of the Brain…what’s affected? Cerebrum- Judgment Cerebellum- Physical Skills Brain Stem- Emotions BAC CONDITION .01%-.04% Affected (still considered sober) .05%-.07% Impaired (reaction and judgment affected) .08% or higher Intoxicated (hearing, speech, vision, balance affected)

Typical Drinking/Driving Problems Driving too fast for conditions Driving too close to curb or crossing center line Not stopping for or running traffic signs/lights Approaching stop signs too fast & making jerky stops Driving at night without lights Not dimming lights when meeting oncoming traffic

Factors which influence how Alcohol affects people….. Amount of alcohol consumed 1. Number of drinks 2. amount of alcohol in each drink a. can of beer-5% b. wine cooler-12% c. shot of whiskey-40% B. The amount of time which the alcohol is consumed C. The persons body weight D. Amount of food in the stomach

Controlling Intake and Impairment of Alcohol Set unwanted drink down “JUST SAY NO” Drink water or a pop instead of alcohol Set limit in advance and stick to it Space your drinks at least 1 hour apart Sip drink slowly Avoid drinks with high concentration of alcohol

Reducing Drinking/Driving Risks Don’t Drink and Drive Give keys to a friend before you start to drink Call a friend, taxi, or parent for ride Appoint a designated driver “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk!” Refuse to ride with others who have been drinking

Alcohol Myths Myth: Drinking black coffee, taking a cold shower, or exercising can make a drunk person sober. Fact: These activities do not reduce BAC. (Only time can) Myth: One drink won’t hurt Fact: Taking one drink can make it easier to take a second or third drink

Alcohol Myths Myth: Beer will not make me drunk Fact: One 12 oz can of beer contains as much alcohol as an average cocktail Myth: Driving is easier after a few drinks Fact: Consuming alcohol diminishes your driving abilities Myth: Young people can’t become problem drinkers Fact: Young people can become problem drinkers even as teenagers. There is no age limit to becoming an alcoholic

Drugs Any substance that changes the way the body works

Over-the-Counter and Prescription Drugs Read labels before taking medication Side effects of drugs include drowsiness, dizziness, slowed reaction time, and poor judgment Combining drugs might produce exaggerated effects

Depressants Slow down the CNS Used to relieve tension, anxiety, high blood pressure, allergies, and colds. Examples: sleeping pills, tranquilizers, antihistamines, codeine, morphine, heroin Effects on driving Driver can become very relaxed and reflex reactions are slowed and coordination becomes clumsy

Stimulants Speed up CNS Give the user a feeling of energy and alertness and can prevent sleep. After a while the person becomes nervous and irritable Examples: nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, crack, crystal meth. Effects on driving A false sense of alertness and self-confidence Increased risk taking actions

Hallucinogens Alter a person’s thinking, awareness, perception, and vision. User becomes distracted Examples: Marijuana (commonly laced w/ hallucinogen), LSD, & PCP Effects on driving Direction, distance, and time are distorted. Users are easily confused and unable to concentrate or think clearly.

Traffic Laws Governing Alcohol and Drug Use Implied Consent Law- by obtaining a license you automatically consent to be tested for alcohol & other drugs if arrested on suspicion of D.U.I.

Traffic Laws Governing Alcohol and Drug Use If you are stopped by an officer (may be for a variety of reasons) stay in your vehicle, keep your hands on the steering wheel and follow the officers instructions. He will ask you for your license and insurance card

Tests for Intoxication Field Sobriety Test Horizontal gaze nystagmus test-Measures the involuntary jerking of the eyes as the person gazes side to side. As a person’s BAC increases the jerking begins at an earlier stage Divided-attention impairment test- a test which measures both mental and physical impairment *If you fail either of these tests you will be placed under arrest and taken to the police station where you will be asked to take a chemical test. If you are under 18 your parents will be called. Chemical Tests analyze the blood, urine, or breath to determine blood alcohol content

Drivers Over 21 Driving with BAC of .08 percent or more and/or any impairing drug in your system, your driving privileges will be suspended for 6 months. One year if you refuse to testing. 2nd offender w/in 5 years license suspended 1 year if you fail test or 3 years if you if you refuse to test

DUI Conviction Over 21 1st conviction-minimum one-year revocation 2nd conviction within 20 years-minimum 5 year revocation 3rd conviction-minimum 10 year revocation 4th conviction- lifetime revocation

Drivers Under 21 If convicted of DUI, you face the revocation of your driving privileges for a minimum of 2 years (first conviction) The Zero Tolerance Law states that it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to drive a car with any measurable amount of alcohol in the blood. Drivers license suspended for 3 months Refuse to submit to testing license suspended for 6 months

Drivers Under 21 Second offense suspended for 1 year if you fail test, 2 years if you refuse to test Any person under age 21 who is convicted of illegal consumption, purchase, possession or receiving alcohol as a gift will lose his/her driving privileges for a minimum of 6 months regardless of whether or not they are operating a motor vehicle at the time of the offense. Any person who receives court supervision for any of these offenses will lose his/her driving privileges for 3 months.

Following DUI Conviction Reduced driving privilege Judicial Permit allows driving only during certain time & along specific route Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID)- driver must take BAC to start car or do frequent “rolling tests” while car is moving

Increased Costs Lawyer fees $3,000+ Possible fees minimum $1,000 High risk insurance $2,000 year (if you can get it) Reinstatement fee ($250-$500) When all said and done usually $10,000+

Organizations Many organizations have been formed to influence people about the harmful effects of drugs as well as the problem of drinking and driving. MADD-mothers against drunk driving SADD-students against destructive decisions

Peer pressure Negative Positive