1. Center for Alcohol and Drug Education Studies (CADES) Center for Transportation Safety Dr. Maurice Dennis 1

2. Purpose  Conduct research on alcohol and drug effects  Develop alcohol and drug training materials  Provide alcohol and drug training 2

3. Background  Pre-Test  Alcohol and Driving Questions 3

4. Pre-Test ___ 1. A typical 12 oz. can of beer has the same amount of alcohol as a 1 oz. shot of 80 proof whiskey. ___ 2. Reaction time is the first ability adversely affected by alcohol. ___ 3. A good guide for elimination of alcohol is 1 drink per hour. ___ 4. Intoxicated drivers are less likely to die in a crash because of being limber. ___ 5. Most people will appear intoxicated at.08. ___ 6. Drugs other than alcohol are not a significant traffic accident problem. F F F F F T/F 4

5. Alcohol and Driving Questions Does alcohol affect: Driving ability? Risk of a fatal crash? Risk of dying in a fatal crash? Chance of crash responsibility? 5

6. Low BAC Impairments Impairments CategoriesLowest BAC for Impairment Vigilance.06 Visual Functioning.01 Driving.03 Information Processing.02 Divided Attention.02 Perception.02 Reaction Time.05 6

7. Risk of Fatal Crash (Single Vehicle) AgeBAC.020 -.049.080 -.099.150+ 16 – 20 21 – 34 35+ Why is age a factor? 432 4,728 3 23 2,171 3 21 1,685 Inexperience as drivers Inexperience as drinkers Risk takers Late night drivers 7

8. BAC and Crash Responsibility BAC% Responsible for Crash.01 -.0564%.05 -.07988%.08 -.14992%.15 and greater96% 8

9. Risk of Death in a Crash BACIncreased Chance of Death.031.2.071.5.122.4.172.5.223.7 9

10. BAC and Visible Intoxication BACVisible Intoxication.08 -.10 No reliable signs in most people.15 Over 50% show one or more intoxication signs.20 + Virtually all drinkers (including alcoholics) appear visibly intoxicated 10

11. Alcohol-Related Fatalities After Drinking Age Raised to 21 United States -15% Texas -20% Maryland (Zero-Tolerance) -33% 11

12. Problems With Proving Impairment From Drugs  No per se limit  Must prove physical or mental faculties affected  Some drugs linger in the body for a long time 12

13. Problems of Conducting Drug/Driving Effects Research  Legal Age Controlled Substances  Other Subjects Safety issues IRB constraints Interpretation of results 13

14. Possible Solutions to Alcohol/Drug Driving Problems  Stronger laws Lower BAC Per Se BAC to.05 14

15. Should the Per Se BAC Limit be.05? .04 motor carrier rule reduced alcohol related fatal crashes by 23%  BAC’s less than.04 cause impairment and increased crash risk  2000 lives would likely be saved if per se limit was lowered to.05 15

16. Possible Solutions to Alcohol/Drug Driving Problems  Stronger laws Lower BAC Per Se BAC to.05 Mandatory blood tests Time of test rather than time of driving laws are needed Ignition Interlock Devices on all vehicles Reduce alcohol sales hours  Per Se drug laws  Increase alcohol costs Price Tax  Alcohol ads Prohibit or reduce TV, etc. ads Prohibit ads slanted towards young people  Education Better alcohol server training Better alcohol/drug education in K – 12 Offender Education 16

17. Examples of Activities  DWI Education Program  Youth Alcohol Awareness Program  Drug and Alcohol Driving Awareness Program (DADAP)  Texas District and County Attorneys Association – Alcohol and Drug Presentation  Alcohol and Ignition Interlock Training for Adult Probation Officers  Training for TxDPS Forensic Scientists  Experiments on effects of alcohol on driving  Expert Witness Training Program 17

18. Expert Witness Training Program for Alcohol/Drug Related Courses  Train cadre of Expert Witnesses for DWI, Intoxication Assault, and Intoxication Manslaughter cases  Work with prosecutors to: Analyze police and accident reports Interpret BAC data Prepare questions for defense experts Provide expert witness testimony  3-year project sponsored by TxDOT 17

19. Case 1 STOP 19.16 / 80mph.02

20. Case 2 20.23 / 80 mph

21. Expert Witness Locations 20

22. Center for Alcohol and Drug Education Studies Center for Transportation Safety Dr. Maurice Dennis Email: m-dennis@ttimail.tamu.edum-dennis@ttimail.tamu.edu Phone: 979-845-9929 Fax: 979-845-4872 22