2. Dangers of Alcohol and Driving
Section 7

3. Alcohol Alcohol is the most commonly used drug in our society today.
A significant percentage of teens drink.
Alcohol-related collisions are a major safety concern.

4. Alcohol Facts
Young drinking drivers are involved in fatal crashes at twice the rate of drivers aged 21 and older.
Drivers aged 16 through are more likely to be alcohol-impaired than any other age group.

5. Every 2 minutes an alcohol-related collision occurs
Statistics
60% of all teen deaths in car accidents are alcohol-related.
Teen males with BAC level of are 18 times more likely to suffer a single vehicle crash than non-drinking counterparts
Teen females at the same level are 54 times more likely to crash
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Retrieved 11/09/10
Every 2 minutes an alcohol-related collision occurs

6. Just one drink can affect a person mentally and physically!
Alcohol Facts
Nearly half of those killed in alcohol-related collisions had not been drinking, but were victims of drunk drivers.
More than half of all fatalities during holidays are alcohol related.
Just one drink can affect a person mentally and physically!

7. How You Are Affected
Alcohol slows brain activity and is directly and quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.
A driver affected by alcohol has a decreased ability to reason clearly and make sound judgments.

8. How You Are Affected Alcohol weakens a person’s inhibitions.
The alcohol-impaired driver may recognize a dangerous situation approaching, but the brain takes longer to process the information and react.

9. BAC
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is the amount of alcohol in the blood.
Each drink adds about .02 to percent to a person’s BAC.

10. Alcohol is removed from the body at a rate of ¾ of a drink per hour.
Factors Affecting BAC
Amount consumed.
Amount of time over which the alcohol is consumed.
Person’s body weight.
Alcohol is removed from the body at a rate of ¾ of a drink per hour.

11. Reaction time is impaired at a BAC of 0.03
Elimination Rate
Alcohol is eliminated from the body at the rate of about one drink per hour (about BAC reduction).
125 lbs. Female
Drinks
BAC in 1 Hour
6 Hrs later 1
0.04
Sober 2
0.10
0.03 BAC 3
0.24
0.15 BAC
155 lbs. Male
Drinks image from:
Vehicle image from:
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Drinks
BAC in 1 Hour
6 Hrs later 1
0.04
Sober 2
0.09 3
0.18
0.09 BAC
Reaction time is impaired at a BAC of 0.03

12. In all states BAC level of 0.08 is illegal
Effect on the Sexes
Blood alcohol content differ for men and women.
Charts approximate BAC levels
Female
Male
In all states BAC level of 0.08 is illegal
Charts from:
Drinks image from:
Retrieved 11/08/10

13. Drinking Myths What’s the real facts? Beer is less intoxicating.
One or two drinks will not affect driving ability.
A cold shower, fresh air, and coffee can help sober up a person.
It’s okay to drive when taking prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs.
People who drink or use drugs only harm themselves.
Impaired driving is only an adult (over 21 yrs) problem.
Image from:
Retrieved 11/09/10

14. True or False? I can sober up by drinking coffee.
I can sober up by taking a cold shower.
I can sober up by exercising.
I will not be affected because I am only drinking beer.
Answer True or False for each statement.

15. True or False? I can drive better after a few drinks. False
A young person cannot become a problem drinker.
One way to reduce the risk involved with drinking and driving is to appoint a person to be the designated driver.

16. Other Drugs
Any drug, legal or illegal, that causes impairment when driving is against the law to use and then operate a vehicle. Including…
over-the-counter medicines
prescription medicines
depressants
stimulants
hallucinogens

17. The Law In Nevada, a BAC of .08 is legally drunk.
0.02 for drivers under 21.
Note that the BAC is only a guide.
Drivers can be arrested and convicted for DUI with a lower BAC.

18. Implied Consent
means anyone who receives a driver’s license automatically consents to be tested for alcohol or drugs. By driving in Nevada you automatically consent to breath or blood testing. Be aware that you cannot refuse a test.

19. Tests for Impairment
Several tests are used to evaluate DUI impairment:
Field Sobriety (on-the-spot roadside tests)
Eye check (nystagmus)
Balance and coordination
Chemical Tests
Breath
Blood
Urine
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Eye check image from:
Coordination image from:
Breath test image from:
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20. Typical penalties for a first DUI
Arrest
Vehicle Impoundment
Two days to six months in jail or community service
Fine of $400 to $1,000
Chemical Test Fee: $60
DUI School or Substance Abuse Treatment
Victim Impact Panel
Possible Driver License revocation
Increased car insurance premiums

21. The Law
Penalties increase with subsequent offenses.

22. Social Pressure
The safest decision about alcohol one can make is to abstain entirely.
Never condone or approve of intoxication
Don’t let your friends drive after drinking (take keys, assign designated driver)
Join Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
Friends image from:
Roadkill poster images from:
SADD Image from:
Retrieved 11/09/10

23. Responsibility to Others
Do what ever it takes, take their keys, disable the car, lock them in a room, Don’t Let Them Drive Away! It may be the last time it happens.