1. Chapter 6: Drinking, Driving, and Health

2. Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol is a drug that affects overall driving ability
Alcohol lowers peoples inhibitions and could cause a driver to be overconfident and unable to think clearly
Drinking even a small amount of alcohol can increase a driverr chance of an accident
The best way to avoid an alcohol related crash is to NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE

3. Effects of Alcohol
Driving under the influence of alcohol means that a driver’s senses and judgment is impaired by alcohol
After only 2, 3, or 4 drinks alcohol begins to impair reaction time, coordination and balance
Vision and the ability to judge distance is affected making it difficult to react and drive safely

4. BAC and Driving If a motorist has a BAC of slightly above
.05% the risk of causing a motor vehicle accident DOUBLES
If a motorist reaches a BAC of .10% the risk of causing a motor vehicle accident is 6 times greater
The risk is 25 times greater at .15%

5. Factors that affect how intoxicated a person becomes from drinking:
Quantity of Alcohol
Body Weight
How quickly drinks are consumed
Food eaten
These factors affect an individuals BAC
(Blood alcohol concentration)

6. What is the only thing that can make a person sober up?
TIME
Alcohol is removed slowly from the body
90% of the alcohol is detoxified by the liver
10% is eliminated through breath, urine and sweat

7. BAC and driving
It is illegal for an individual 21 and over to have a BAC of .08 or above
It is illegal for an individual UNDER 21 to have any trace of alcohol in their system
(.01 or higher)

8. Refusal to take a Breath Test
Refusal to take a breath test is equal to driving with a BAC of .10% for a first offense
Penalty:
7 months to one year of loss of license
MVC surcharge of $1,000 per year for 3 years
Failure to pay the surcharge will result in an indefinite loss of license until it is paid

9. Alcohol content in Beverages

10. Drinking and Driving
Law enforcement is trained to notice any telltale signs that a motorist has been drinking
Speeding- an intoxicated driver often thinks high speed is driving safe
Weaving-Even though a driver may stay in the correct lane, driving straight is a problem
Slow driving-may be overly cautious and drive slower
Jerking motions-may have short mental lapses and not keep steady
Quick Stops- may make sudden stops at a traffic sign or light

11. Good Hosts and the Drinking Driver
If you serve alcohol at a party, always provide alcohol free drinks
Serve Nutritious food
Never insists a guest should drink alcohol or insist on refills
Stop serving alcohol well before the party ends
If they drink too much, don’t let them drive
Invite guests to spend the night
*Hosts may become involved in a lawsuit if a guest is involved in a drinking and driving collision after leaving the party

12. Drugs and Driving
It is ILLEGAL to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of any illegal drug
Drugs that say “May cause dizziness or drowsiness” should not be taken before driving
Drugs that may affect driving:
Cold pills, tranquilizers and some prescription medication

13. Marijuana and Driving
After drinking, marijuana is the drug most often found with drivers involved in a collision
Affects of marijuana while driving:
Loss of tracking ability- the ability to maintain a vehicle in a given line
Distance judgment- tailgating
Vigilance- Not remaining attentive to the task
Divided Attention- not maintaining attention to the task