Chapter 8 Alcohol

Alcohol Facts One half of victims killed haven’t been drinking. More Young drivers are involved in crashes twice the the rate of drivers 21 and older. Drivers aged 16 through 20 are more likely to be alcohol impaired than any other age group. than half of all fatalities during holidays are alcohol related.

Ways Alcohol Abuse Costs 100,000 alcohol related deaths 36,000 alcohol related accidental deaths 25,000,000 problem drinkers 10% social drinkers become problem drinkers Alcohol abuse costs US $450 billion/year 28%of all vehicle deaths are alcohol related 30% of suicides are alcohol involved 25% of all hospital admissions-- alcohol related

In the US Each year 12,000 alcohol related DWI traffic deaths Each year 600,000 serious injuries as a result of impaired drivers

In Your Lifetime 40% of Americans will be involved in a serious impaired driving accident

In NC Each year 16,000 are arrested for DWI Each year one billion dollars is spent on drunk driving. That’s over $200 per licensed driver Alcohol is the leading cause of death Alcohol is the leading cause of injury Alcohol abuse is the leading cause of economic loss

Alcohol and Young People 25% of males killed under 21 are impaired 12% of females killed under 21 are impaired 50% plus of males killed are impaired 25% plus of females killed are impaired 20-25% of high school students reported getting drunk in the last 30 days 10-30% of high school students reported drinking and driving in the last 30 days 30-40% high school students reported riding with a drinking driver in the last 30 days

Three types of Alcohol Methanol- wood alcohol Propanol- rubbing alcohol Ethanol- drinking, gas additive, distilled from fruit or grain

Alcohol Alcohol is a sedative, depressant and a tranquilizer

Alcohol is eliminated Liver- 90% Breath- 8% Sweat glands- 2% Only time will offset the effects of alcohol

Percentage of Alcohol Beer- 0-6% Wine % Liquor % One can of beer =one glass of wine= one shot of whiskey

Factors Effecting BAC Person’s weight Type of drink Rate of consumption Food in the stomach Age Fatigue Emotional state Drinking experience Male or Female Other drugs in the body

Outcomes of Abusing Alcohol Alcoholism Injury or death Causing injury or death DWI loss of license Increased insurance rate (+900%) Court costs and fees Professional cost Personal costs Grades Weight gain

Designated Drive Don’t drink Know your riders Set rules up front (sober) Limit the # of people to take care of Take all keys Agree on payment of gas, food, clean up

Problems being a Designated Driver Dealing with someone’s parents Clean up of a vehicle Dealing with intoxicated persons Sexual victimization

Legal BAC in NC Limit was set at.08 Second offense.04 Subsequent offense.00 Anyone above the limits is DWI

Breathalyzer Refusal 30 day pre-trial revocation of license Plus- one year revocation of license without limited privilege

Forfeiture Law in NC NC allows for forfeiture of vehicle when someone is DWI while license are revoked for DWI. First year of the law police confiscated 2,000 vehicles

Legal Drinking Age All 50 states

Under BAC or zero tolerance –Penalty- one year revocation of license

Underage Attempting Purchase One year revocation of license Up to $200 fine Misdemeanor

Buying for Someone Underage Minimum $500 fine and 25 hours of community service up to $2000 fine and 2 years in jail Second offense in 4 years-$1000 fine and 150 hours of community service

Selling to Someone Underage $250 fine and 25 hours of community service Second offense-$500 fine and 150 hours of community service

NC Open Container Law No open container of alcohol in the passenger compartments of a vehicle

Dram Shop Law Provider is liable for negligent provision (selling or giving) of alcohol. Persons providing can be held responsible for deaths, injuries that occur because of alcohol Negligent provision is defined as providing to underage or already intoxicated

Plea Bargaining NC law does not provide judges to reduce the charge of DWI

Limited Driving Privilege Limited driving privilege is only available in levels 3, 4, 5

Limited Privilege NC allows judges to require ignition interlock for convicted DWI

Insurance Rates DWI carries 12 insurance points –This is about a 900% increase

Grossly Aggravated Second offense in 7 years Third offense in 7 years. Level one DWI with a revoked license for DWI Causing serious injury while DWI DWI with a 16 year old in car

Aggravating Factors Gross impairment BAC.16 Reckless driving Dangerous driving Property damage in excess of $500 Personal injury DWI with revoked license Two prior convictions in 5 years of 3 +pts DWI more than 7 years ago Speeding while or attempting to elude apprehension Speeding 30 MPH over limit Passing a stopped school bus

Mitigating Factors Slight impairment (.08 or.09) No chemical test available Safe and lawful driving No serious traffic offenses in 5 years Impairment due primarily to a lawfully prescribed drug Voluntary submittal to mental facility for assessment

Level 1 2 or more grossly aggravating factors –Mandatory 30 day jail sentence –Could be maximum 2 years in jail and $4000 fine –No limited privilege –Repeat offender-12 months minimum jail

Level 2 One grossly aggravating factor exist –Mandatory jail sentence 7 days –Judge may sentence one year jail and up to $2000 fine –No limited privilege

Level 3 Aggravating factors outweigh mitigating factors –Minimum 72 hours in jail or 72 hours community service or 90 day loss of license –Or any combination of the three –Impose fines up to $1000

Level Four Aggravating and mitigating factors are the same –48 hours jail or 48 hour community service or 60 day loss of driving privileges –Or combination of the three –Fines up to $500

Level Five Mitigating factors outweigh aggravating factors –24 hours jail or 24 hours community service or 30 days loss of driving privileges –Or combination of the three –Fines up to $200