DRIVING SANE, SAFE, AND SOBER!

Athletes prepare for competition. Leaders prepare for speeches. Teachers prepare their lessons. Pilots prepare to fly.

Your emotional state affects the way you drive and the way you respond to other drivers.

Your health affects the way you drive also!

Your attitude may be the most important thing of all; in driving and all parts of your life!

Why do you think Idaho has a Zero Tolerance Law for persons under age 21? Why do some people choose not to use alcohol or other drugs? DRUGS: To use or not to use?

Y OUR C HOICES AND R ESPONSIBILITIES  List some short-term and long-term rewards.  List some short-term and long-term consequences.  Is alcohol and other drug use short- term or long term reward?  Are consequences of alcohol use short-term or long-term?  Easiest way to avoid the consequences is?

220 lbs 110 lbs 8 oz BAC F ACTORS  Weight  Time Spent Drinking  Gender  Food  Alcohol Content  Size of Drink

A RE T HEY T HE S AME ?  Beer  Whiskey  Wine  Cooler  Margarita

H OW M UCH L IGHT B EER (M ALE ) Weight BAC Ounces of BAC Ounces ofBAC Ounces of Male Light Beer Light Beer Light Beer oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz. Basic Assumption: 12 oz of Light Beer = 1 oz of 86 proof liquor

H OW M UCH L IGHT B EER (F EMALE ) Weight BAC Ounces of BAC Ounces ofBAC Ounces of Female Light Beer Light Beer Light Beer oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz oz. Basic Assumption: 12 oz of Light Beer = 1 oz of 86 proof liquor

E LIMINATION OF A LCOHOL PROCESS TIME FACTORS Breath Urine Sweat } 10% LIVER 90% About BAC Reduction Per Hour Assumption: Adult male lbs. with normal liver function Therefore:BAC of 0.05 = 3.5 hours for removal BAC of 0.07 = 5.0 hours for removal BAC of 0.10 = 7.0 hours for removal BAC of 0.15 = 10.0 hours for removal

E LIMINATION R ATE Stops 1:00INTOXICATED LEGALLY 6:00AM IMPAIRED 9:30AM ABSORPTIONELIMINATION HRS BAC

A LCOHOL A FFECTS THE B ODY Liver Heart Sexuality Sleep Stomach Brain

A LCOHOL A FFECTS P EOPLE D IFFERENTLY Tolerance Personality Mood Experience Fatigue Medication Weight Age

P SYCHOLOGICAL E FFECTS OF A LCOHOL U SE  Attention  Memory  Emotions  Aggression  Tolerance

A LCOHOL AND S PACE M ANAGEMENT After drinking, the driver may tend to stare at the center line.

I MPAIRED V ISION  Side Vision  Color Distinction (street lights)  Eye Focus  Double Vision  Distance Judgment

R ISK -T AKING P ROBLEM The impaired brain is unable to make good judgments or smart decisions.

C HANCE OF D EATH for ages by BAC levels BAC Increased Risk of Death and greater STUDY INCLUDES COMPARISON OF SINGLE VEHICLE COLLISIONS IN AGE GROUP

D RUGS AND D RIVING  Perception  Judgment  Coordination  Vision  Mood

M ARIJUANA AND D RIVING  Takes about 300 µg/kg to achieve a high  Effects at 300 µg/kg:  Tracking  Following Distance  Vigilance  Divided Attention

O THER T YPES OF D RUGS AND D RIVING Over the Counter Medications Over the Counter Medications Tranquilizers Stimulants Narcotics Prescription Medications These can all affect driving behaviors and abilities

Driving While “Fatigued” *64% of Americans get less than 8 hours of sleep each night. *30% of Americans get less than 6 hours of sleep each night. *Drowsiness causes an estimated 100,000 police-reported crashes in America each year, resulting in 76,000 injuries and 1,500 deaths. *Some studies have shown that up to 20% of U.S. crashes are sleep-related; 1 in 5 crashes! If this is true - it’s an epidemic. 23% of those in sleep-related crashes reported not feeling tired at all before the crash! You can’t rely on “feeling” tired as your warning. *AAAfoundation.org

 A Body Response  Follows a Period of: Extended mental activity Extended physical activity  May also be caused by: A heavy meal A period of time after having too much caffeine (regular use can result in chronic adrenal exhaustion) Disruption of the natural sleep cycle  Characterized by: Reduced capacity to perform tasks Reduced abilities to concentrate What is FATIGUE?

Those who are sleep-deprived Those who drive during high-risk times of day or night Those who drive during high-risk or high-stress conditions Those who consume alcohol or use medications or drugs that interfere with ability to maintain alertness

T IRED VS. D RUNK Studies show that tired drivers are just as (or more) dangerous than drug or alcohol-impaired drivers on the road! How many people in this room are: drunk right now? High on drugs? Distracted? How many of you are tired? It is similar out on our roads. More people are tired than otherwise impaired or distracted.

Symptoms of Fatigue  Inability to keep fixed attention  Impaired memory  Slower reaction time  Difficulty / slowness in reasoning  Weakness / tired muscles

Strategies for Driving While Fatigued  Avoid long drives  Avoid leaning forward  Keep your eyes moving  Let in fresh air  Change drivers regularly  Adjust in-car temperature (not too hot or cold)  Drink some caffeine  Take breaks to get out and stretch

Drowsy driving is dangerous to yourself and others on the road. Drowsy driving is similar to driving drunk or drugged. Drowsy driving must become as socially unacceptable as drunk driving. Support one another by promoting a good night’s sleep before a long drive, sharing driving duties if allowed, and being a good passenger and keeping the driver aware and awake.

Aggressive Driving Speeding Running signs or lights Tailgating Weaving in and out of traffic Failing to yield the right of way Cutting off other drivers Yelling or honking your horn at other drivers

Road Rage When aggressive driving becomes violent it is road rage Pursuing another vehicle in a chase Leaving your car to confront another driver Intentionally bumping or ramming another car. Physically assaulting another driver Using a car as a weapon Displaying a weapon Firing a gun or using another weapon

Road Rage! Formula for Road Rage + More Cars Less Space More Driver Interactions Increased cultural disrespect and selfishness =

Self-Imposed Anxieties  “I’m going to be late if I don’t hurry up.”  “Why are these cars going so slow?”  “We’ll never make it.”  “If only I had gone a little faster, I could’ve made it.”  “Oh no! Red light!”

Anger Containment Techniques  Don’t respond  Don’t engage  Don’t up the ante  Swallow your pride  Choose the road “less traveled”  What is there to prove, really?

D EALING WITH A NGER How will you respond?

Reducing Driver Distractions Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

D RIVER D ISTRACTIONS Each year, more than 40,000 people are killed in motor vehicle crashes and over three million are injured! Research indicates that driver distraction is a contributing factor in more than 25% of all crashes Source: AAA Foundation Research

DRIVER DISTRACTIONS- O UTSIDE THE V EHICLE Bright vehicle lights Billboards and signs Driver being chased by police Officer directing traffic Animal in roadway (deer, dog, elk, etc. ) Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

DRIVER DISTRACTIONS- O UTSIDE THE V EHICLE Sunrise, sunset People in roadway (child, basketball game, crowd, etc) Objects in the roadway (broken glass, garbage can, etc. holes) Crash scene Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

DRIVER DISTRACTIONS- I NSIDE THE V EHICLE Eating or drinking Other occupants in the vehicle Moving object in vehicle All actions involved with smoking can be a distraction Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

DRIVER DISTRACTIONS- I NSIDE THE V EHICLE Dialing, talking, texting or looking up information on a cell phone Adjusting radio, cassette, or CD Using device/object in the vehicle Using vehicle devices or controls Picking up a dropped object Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

P ROBLEMS WITH D RIVER D ISTRACTIONS ARE NOT N EW Some of the “old” distractions that continue to cause problems are children and babies, cigarettes, drinks, radios and audio players, and insects or bugs that find their way into the vehicle. Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

P ROBLEMS WITH D RIVER D ISTRACTIONS ARE NOT N EW Newer” distractions include GPS navigation systems, digital music, On- Star roadside assistance, and cell phones. Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

N EW I SSUE OR O LD I SSUE ? Driver Distractions from Windshield Wipers Radios Drive-Up Windows Mobile Phones , Internet, texting, etc MP3 and DVD players

D RIVER A GE G ROUPS D ISTRACTIONS Drivers under age 20 are more likely than older drivers to be identified as distracted at the time of their crash year-olds use a cell phone frequently year-olds eat and drink more often in the car. 50 plus drivers are more distracted by outside objects and events. Photos courtesy of the AAA Foundation

W HEN D ISTRACTIONS L EAD TO C OLLISIONS Distractions and inattention cause 68% of rear-end crashes. Other typical crashes include backing up, making lane changes, and merging. Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

H IGH R ISK D RIVING D ISTRACTIONS Reading and writing. Manipulating vehicle controls for extended periods of time. Focusing on an external distraction. Having emotionally charged discussion with passengers. Reaching for objects inside the vehicle. Dialing a cell phone. Carrying on a cell phone conversation. Performing grooming activities when the vehicle is moving. Texting

W HEN D ISTRACTIONS L EAD TO C OLLISIONS High-risk drivers tend to have higher levels of no hands on the steering wheel, their eyes are directed inside rather than outside the vehicle, and their vehicles wander in the travel lane or cross into another travel lane. Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

D ISTRACTIONS ARE A FFECTING D RIVER L AWS Many states are passing, or looking into passing, laws regarding driver distractions.

D ISTRACTIONS ARE A FFECTING D RIVER L AWS Much of this attention stems from the enormous increase in cell phone use by drivers and the prospect of similar growth in other in-vehicle technologies. Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

N EW V EHICLE T ECHNOLOGY ─ H ELPFUL OR H ARMFUL ? Drivers must use new technology responsibly while driving. Electronic devices can enhance safety in many ways. When stuck in traffic, using a mobile phone to say you'll be late can reduce stress and make drivers less inclined to drive aggressively. Any activity that takes your attention from the road makes the driving task more dangerous! Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

N EW V EHICLE T ECHNOLOGY - H ELPFUL OR H ARMFUL ? Vehicle navigation systems help drivers locate addresses and guide them to their destination. Wireless Internet and messaging are becoming the norm on my phones and in many new vehicles. In-vehicle DVD movie players are popular for passengers to pass time when going on a lengthy trip. Are movies a distraction for drivers? Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

C ONSEQUENCES OF D ISTRACTED D RIVING Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of collisions. It forces drivers to make sudden decisions. Drivers can easily be involved in a collision. Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

C ONSEQUENCES OF D ISTRACTED D RIVING Each year, more than 40,000 people are killed in motor vehicle crashes and over three million are injured. Distracted driving contributes to over 1,500,000 collisions each year. That’s 4,300 collisions each day 179 Collisions every hour.

D IVIDED A TTENTION T ASKS Divided attention can lead to missed brake lights, missed traffic sign or signal, missed animal or pedestrian, or a drift out of the lane position. Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

D IVIDED A TTENTION T ASKS A driver can learn to operate the vehicle with simple eye, hand, and feet coordination. However, the driving task is a mental process that needs constant attention to the path of travel in order to keep the vehicle within the lane space and adjust to any restrictions in the path of travel. Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

D IVIDED A TTENTION T ASKS It is important to recognize that taking attention from the path of travel means the vehicle is moving on the roadway without the driver seeing where the vehicle is going or mentally processing any new information. Source: Unknown

D IVIDED A TTENTION T ASKS It is critical never to look away from the path of travel for more than ½ second at a time without moving visual and mental attention back to the path of travel. Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

L EARNING HOW TO H ANDLE D ISTRACTIONS Learning to drive involves learning how to develop divided attention to different tasks. Know how to operate the vehicle controls. Be able to keep the vehicle on the road. Be able to keep the vehicle in the lane. Be able to place the vehicle in different lane positions. Be able to avoid risk. Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

C ELL P HONE S TRATEGIES A "hands-free" apparatus may be helpful, but they can't prevent drivers from becoming involved in a conversation and losing concentration. If you must use a cell phone, especially to text, safely pull over to the side of the road. If drivers must respond to an emergency while driving, use speed dial features and a hands-free kit. Alert the caller that you are on the road. Keep calls as brief as possible.

I DAHO ’ S T EXTING AND D RIVING L AW Starting July 1, 2012, no driver in the state of Idaho can text while driving.

B UT W HAT IS “T EXTING ?” The definition of texting is: “reviewing, manually preparing, or transmitting written communication by a handheld wireless device.”

W HAT A BOUT ….? Calling someone? Dialing a number or answering a call is fine. Scrolling through an address book is not. Hands-free or voice activated? Both are fine! Using a GPS device or GPS app? No, it is “reviewing written communication.” Do all mapping and trip planning before driving or when stopped.

O R …? Just reading a text message? Definitely not legal or safe. No. Facebook posts or messages? No. They are as dangerous as text messages. Looking up the time a movie starts? No. That is reviewing written communication. Activating or deactivating a phone feature or function? Yes. This is legal.

So a cell phone can pretty much only be used as a phone while driving?

E VEN BETTER…

C HILDREN AND D RIVING Make sure children are comfortable and properly buckled up. To keep children from distracting the driver, provide them with safe items they may need for the road trip.

F OOD AND D RIVING Give yourself a break from the traffic and enjoy your refreshments outside the car. Someone choking on food or spilling liquid in the vehicle can take the driver’s attention off the road. Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

O THER S TRATEGIES FOR R EDUCING R ISK Avoid reading while driving. Finish grooming before driving. Don't rely on the time in your vehicle to take care of personal routine such as applying make-up, combing hair or shaving. Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

CONCLUSION As a new driver, keep 100 percent of your attention on driving until you get better at doing multiple things at once in the car. Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation