Drinking and Driving The Dangers and Consequences.

The state of drinking and driving  Drinking and driving laws started to become popular during the 1970’s.  DUI fatalities decreased until the year  In 2006, there were 13,470 alcohol-impaired- driving fatalities. This is almost the same as compared to 13,451 alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities reported in  What have we done wrong?

Real Talk  What is the number 1 cause of death for teens? –Drinking and Driving  What type of reckless driving habits do teens do more than other drivers? –Speed –Run Red lights –Drive w/ drunk driver –Drive while under the influence

Common Excuses for driving while drunk.  What are some examples of excuses that you may have heard why people drink and drive? –Short ride home –I’m not that drunk/Alcohol does not affect me –I am a better driver when I am drunk –I have done it before –No other way home –Don’t want night to end—(next party, alone time with girl/boy friend) –Can’t find a taxi –Didn’t plan on drinking this much

How your brain allows you to drive drunk  Alcohol-induced loss of judgment.  Lack of planning—if you know you are going to drink, plan accordingly.  Peer pressure—teens, particularly boys, see drinking and driving as a test of manhood.  Over-confidence created from alcohol.  Lack of education— people still don’t know the dangers of drinking and driving.

Who drinks and drives? DDo more men or women drink and drive? –M–Men WWhat age group drives drunk the most? –D–Drivers in their early 20’s. WWhat racial group drives drunk the most? –W–White—72% (African American—12%, Hispanic—12%)

Other Drunk Driving Facts  Approximately 21% of fatal crashes have 16 to 20 year old drivers involved  Nearly half of those killed in alcohol- related deaths had not been drinking.  77% of drinking and driving accidents occur between 6pm and 6am.  Friday and Saturday nights between 10:00 p.m. and 3:00 A.M. 1 in every 10 drivers is legally under the influence of alcohol.

Drugs, Alcohol and You How narcotics affect you and your ability to drive.

Classifying Drugs and Alcohol Alcohol is a DEPRESSANT which is a drug that slows down the central nervous system

Types of Drugs Over the counter drugs  Purchased at a store  Examples—Cough Suppressants, Cold Medicines, Dietary Supplements  Effect on driving—slows reaction times Prescription drugs  Doctor ordered drugs  Most Abused—Oxycotin, Demorol, Vicodin, Ritalin, Attarell, Xanax  Effect on driving—slower reaction time, lowers coordination alters thinking. Stimulants  Speeds up the central nervous system  Examples—Cocaine, Ecstasy  Effect on driving—brain has hard time processessing information, over- reactions. Depressants  Slows down the central nervous system  Examples—Alcohol, Quaalude Hallucinogens  Alters a persons senses (thinking awareness etc.)  Examples—LSD, PCP  Effects on driving—vision, response, ability to process information, reaction

Effects on your body  After 1 drink: –Judgment, reasoning and concentration are affected –Coordination is reduced –Eyesight becomes distorted –Moods and emotions are altered  Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream very quickly, but is removed very slowly.  It will stay in your system until it is removed by the liver  It takes approximately 1 hour to remove 1 drink from an average sized body.

Behavior and Alcohol  Before we start, what are some behaviors you have noticed once people begin drinking?  As people drink behavior changes –Lose inhibitions –Heighten emotions –Allows you to take risks that you would not normally take.  The effect of alcohol is not the same in all people; some people develop higher tolerance. However, at some point, all who drink will feel the effects.

Controlling Impairment 4 factors that determine how fast someone will feel the effects of drinking. 1.Amount consumed 2.Time 3.Size of individual 4.Food

How Your Driving is Affected  The follow driving abilities are impaired when under the influence of drugs or alcohol: – Reaction – Vision – Tracking - the ability to judge the car's position on the road. – Concentration – Comprehension - the depressant effect of alcohol hinders the ability to make rational decisions – Coordination

DUI Laws

Did You Know?  A 12-ounce beer, a 5- ounce glass of wine, and a 1.5-ounce shot of liquor all contain the same amount of alcohol.  This means: –You will feel the effects of the alcohol faster if you drink vodka, rum, gin, etc. at a quick rate. This is a dangerous behavior.

Blood-Alcohol Concentration BAC The amount of alcohol in a persons blood stream

Determining BAC A persons BAC and level of intoxication can be determined through the use of a chemical test that measures the amount of alcohol in the blood stream. Examples—Breath, Blood, Urine Test

Number of Drinks Consumed Weight (LBS.) Blood Alcohol Concentration Levels (within one hour of consumption)

BAC and Accidents  Research has shown that higher levels of BAC lead to greater likelihood of being involved in an accident.  If your BAC is: –.06—you are 2x more likely –.08—5x more likely –.10—6x more likely –.15—25x more likely

Pennsylvania Laws  Legal Limit is.08. Anyone caught driving with a BAC greater than.08 is driving drunk. –Can receive a DUI if your BAC is under.08 if caught driving erratically (swerving, too slow/fast, wide turns, etc.)  Applies to anyone who drives, operates or has actual physical control of a vehicle or motorcycle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

Double Whammy IIf you are pulled over and charged with DUI, you face penalties from 2 places: –1–1. DMV will hold a hearing. The DMV hearing will determine if and for how long you will lose your license. –2–2. State courts will hold a trial. The state will charge you with a crime; if found guilty, you face fines, probation, or jail time.

DUI and your wallet  DUI is an expensive crime to commit. When you factor in fines, attorney’s fees, increased insurance, DUI treatment classes, and time away from work, the average DUI will cost you about $

PA Sliding Scale of Punishment  If convicted, your punishment will be determined by 3 things: –1. BAC level –2. Seriousness of accident –3. Previous convictions  There are 3 tables of punishments, each broken off by BAC level. If you are under 21 or in an accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage, you are automatically moved to the higher penalities, regardless of your BAC level.

Table 1 Penalties Penalty1 st Offense2 nd Offense3 rd Offense Sentence6 months probation 5 days to 6 months in prison 10 days to 2 years in prison Fine$300$300--$2500$500-$5000 LicenseNo action12 month suspension General Impairment BAC Alcohol Highway Safety School required for 1 st and 2 nd offenses. Ignition Interlock Device required for 2 nd and 3 rd offenses (1 year). Undergo alcohol-abuse screenings and treatment after any offense. Judge can order up to 150 hours of community service

Table 2 Penalties Penalty1 st Offense2 nd Offense3 rd Offense Sentence2 days to 6 months in prison 30 days to 6 months in prison 90 days to 5 years in prison Fine$500-$5000$750--$5000$1500--$10,000 License12-month suspension 18-month suspension General Impairment--.10 to.159 BAC Alcohol Highway Safety School required for 1 st and 2 nd offenses. Ignition Interlock Device required for 2 nd and 3 rd offenses (1 year). Undergo alcohol-abuse screenings and treatment after any offense. Judge can order up to 150 hours of community service

Table 3 Penalties General Impairment--.16 and up BAC Penalty1 st Offense2 nd Offense3 rd Offense Sentence3 days to 6 months prison 90 days to 5 years in prison 1 year to 5 year prison Fine$1000--$5000$1500$2500 minimum License12-month suspension 18 month suspension Alcohol Highway Safety School required for 1 st and 2 nd offenses. Ignition Interlock Device required for 2 nd and 3 rd offenses (1 year). Undergo alcohol-abuse screenings and treatment after any offense. Judge can order up to 150 hours of community service

Penalties continued  For 1 st offenses at the highest 2 levels, you may be accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program.  Instead of jail, you will –Lose license for 90 days –Pay a fine –Undergo evaluation and treatment –Remain under court supervision –Participate in 12.5 hours of Safety School

Underage DUI Laws  Zero Tolerance—As little as 1 drink may make it illegal for a person under the age of 21 to drive.  Rationale—Traffic crashes are number 1 cause of death for teens in U.S.  If you are under 21 and convicted of DUI, the penalties can be: –1. Jail term ranging from 2 days to 6 months –2. License suspended for 1 year –3. Fine ranging from $500 to $5000.

Underage Drinking Laws  You can have your license taken from you for just being in possession of alcohol. You do not have to be driving.  Penalties are as follows: –Fine of $500 plus court costs –90 day suspension for 1 st offense –1 year for 2 nd –2 year for 3 rd and further offenses.  If busted and you do not have a license, you are ineligible to apply for a permit for the time period of the suspension.  If under 16, your suspension will not begin until you turn 16.

Your Parents and Parties  Any parent convicted of knowingly and intentionally supplying alcohol to minors are fined at least $1000 for 1 st offense and $2500 for each additional one. Can also face jail time.  Adults are liable for parties at their house-for example, if you have 17 friends over, you parents could be fined 41, 000 dollars.

Implied Consent Law BBy obtaining a driving license it is deemed you have given consent to submit to a blood, breathe, or urine test if arrested for a DUI RRefusing to submit will result in an automatic 1 to 2 year revocation of your license depending on # of previous DUI offenses

Conclusion  If you choose to drink, don’t drive.  If you are going to drink, have a designated driver—he/she should NOT DRINK AT ALL.  DUI is an easily avoidable crime; you just have to make the smart decision and not do it.