1. Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Driving
Chapter 7

2. Alcohol Facts
Alcohol is the major factor in at least 50% of all traffic deaths.
Almost 20,000 are killed and 300,000 are injured every year. (1 death every 30 minutes on Americas highways)
Approximately 60% of all alcohol related deaths involve ages
10pm-3am on Friday and Saturday at least 1 of every 10 drivers are legally drunk.
One common effect of alcohol is a feeling of well being called euphoria. Some people think they are more skilled when in reality alcohol is a depressant and slows down the body’s functions.

3. Alcohol’s effects on Mental and Physical Abilities
Alcohol is not digested but absorbed into the bloodstream where it quickly (within minutes) reaches the brain.

4. After one drink….. Affect judgment, reasoning, and concentration
Reduce coordination
Distort depth perception
Alter moods & emotions

5. IPDE Process is impaired when reasoning and judgment are reduced
Stares in one direction & fails to keep eyes moving
Slow to interpret what you see
Errors in predicting space, speed, and times which results in making poor decisions

6. Parts of the Brain…what’s affected?
Cerebrum- Judgment
Cerebellum- Physical Skills
Brain Stem- Emotions
BAC CONDITION
.01%-.04% Affected (still considered sober)
.05%-.07% Impaired (reaction and judgment affected)
.08% or higher Intoxicated (hearing, speech, vision, balance affected)

7. Typical Drinking/Driving Problems
Driving too fast for conditions
Driving too close to curb or crossing center line
Not stopping for or running traffic signs/lights
Approaching stop signs too fast & making jerky stops
Driving at night without lights
Not dimming lights when meeting oncoming traffic

8. Factors which influence how Alcohol affects people…..
Amount of alcohol consumed
1. Number of drinks
2. amount of alcohol in each drink
a. can of beer-5%
b. wine cooler-12%
c. shot of whiskey-40%
B. The amount of time which the alcohol is consumed
C. The persons body weight
D. Amount of food in the stomach

9. Controlling Intake and Impairment of Alcohol
Set unwanted drink down “JUST SAY NO”
Drink water or a pop instead of alcohol
Set limit in advance and stick to it
Space your drinks at least 1 hour apart
Sip drink slowly
Avoid drinks with high concentration of alcohol

10. Reducing Drinking/Driving Risks
Don’t Drink and Drive
Give keys to a friend before you start to drink
Call a friend, taxi, or parent for ride
Appoint a designated driver
“Friends don’t let friends drive drunk!”
Refuse to ride with others who have been drinking

11. Alcohol Myths
Myth: Drinking black coffee, taking a cold shower, or exercising can make a drunk person sober.
Fact: These activities do not reduce BAC. (Only time can)
Myth: One drink won’t hurt
Fact: Taking one drink can make it easier to take a second or third drink

12. Alcohol Myths Myth: Beer will not make me drunk
Fact: One 12 oz can of beer contains as much alcohol as an average cocktail
Myth: Driving is easier after a few drinks
Fact: Consuming alcohol diminishes your driving abilities
Myth: Young people can’t become problem drinkers
Fact: Young people can become problem drinkers even as teenagers. There is no age limit to becoming an alcoholic

13. Drugs
Any substance that changes the way the body works

14. Over-the-Counter and Prescription Drugs
Read labels before taking medication
Side effects of drugs include drowsiness, dizziness, slowed reaction time, and poor judgment
Combining drugs might produce exaggerated effects

15. Depressants Slow down the CNS
Used to relieve tension, anxiety, high blood pressure, allergies, and colds.
Examples: sleeping pills, tranquilizers, antihistamines, codeine, morphine, heroin
Effects on driving
Driver can become very relaxed and reflex reactions are slowed and coordination becomes clumsy

16. Stimulants Speed up CNS
Give the user a feeling of energy and alertness and can prevent sleep. After a while the person becomes nervous and irritable
Examples: nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, crack, crystal meth.
Effects on driving
A false sense of alertness and self-confidence
Increased risk taking actions

17. Hallucinogens
Alter a person’s thinking, awareness, perception, and vision. User becomes distracted
Examples: Marijuana (commonly laced w/ hallucinogen), LSD, & PCP
Effects on driving
Direction, distance, and time are distorted. Users are easily confused and unable to concentrate or think clearly.

18. Traffic Laws Governing Alcohol and Drug Use
Implied Consent Law- by obtaining a license you automatically consent to be tested for alcohol & other drugs if arrested on suspicion of D.U.I.

19. Traffic Laws Governing Alcohol and Drug Use
If you are stopped by an officer (may be for a variety of reasons) stay in your vehicle, keep your hands on the steering wheel and follow the officers instructions.
He will ask you for your license and insurance card

20. Tests for Intoxication
Field Sobriety Test
Horizontal gaze nystagmus test-Measures the involuntary jerking of the eyes as the person gazes side to side. As a person’s BAC increases the jerking begins at an earlier stage
Divided-attention impairment test- a test which measures both mental and physical impairment
*If you fail either of these tests you will be placed under arrest and taken to the police station where you will be asked to take a chemical test. If you are under 18 your parents will be called.
Chemical Tests analyze the blood, urine, or breath to determine blood alcohol content

21. Drivers Over 21
Driving with BAC of .08 percent or more and/or any impairing drug in your system, your driving privileges will be suspended for 6 months. One year if you refuse to testing.
2nd offender w/in 5 years license suspended 1 year if you fail test or 3 years if you if you refuse to test

22. DUI Conviction Over 21 1st conviction-minimum one-year revocation
2nd conviction within 20 years-minimum 5 year revocation
3rd conviction-minimum 10 year revocation
4th conviction- lifetime revocation

23. Drivers Under 21
If convicted of DUI, you face the revocation of your driving privileges for a minimum of 2 years (first conviction)
The Zero Tolerance Law states that it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to drive a car with any measurable amount of alcohol in the blood.
Drivers license suspended for 3 months
Refuse to submit to testing license suspended for 6 months

24. Drivers Under 21
Second offense suspended for 1 year if you fail test, 2 years if you refuse to test
Any person under age 21 who is convicted of illegal consumption, purchase, possession or receiving alcohol as a gift will lose his/her driving privileges for a minimum of 6 months regardless of whether or not they are operating a motor vehicle at the time of the offense. Any person who receives court supervision for any of these offenses will lose his/her driving privileges for 3 months.

25. Following DUI Conviction
Reduced driving privilege
Judicial Permit allows driving only during certain time & along specific route
Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID)- driver must take BAC to start car or do frequent “rolling tests” while car is moving

26. Increased Costs Lawyer fees $3,000+ Possible fees minimum $1,000
High risk insurance $2,000 year (if you can get it)
Reinstatement fee ($250-$500)
When all said and done usually $10,000+

27. Organizations
Many organizations have been formed to influence people about the harmful effects of drugs as well as the problem of drinking and driving.
MADD-mothers against drunk driving
SADD-students against destructive decisions

28. Peer pressure
Negative
Positive