Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Drinking, Driving, and Drinking, Driving, and

HealthHealth

Effects of AlcoholEffects 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

Effects of AlcoholEffects of AlcoholDriving 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

BAC and DrivingBAC 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%

Factors that affect how Factors that affect how intoxicated a person becomes intoxicated a person becomes from drinking:from drinking:

Quantity of AlcoholBody WeightHow quickly drinks are consumedFood eaten

These factors affect an individuals BAC(Blood alcohol concentration)

What is the only thing that can What is the only thing that can make a person sober up?make a person sober up?TIME

Alcohol is removed slowly from the body90% of the alcohol is detoxified by the liver10% is eliminated through breath, urine

and sweat

BAC and drivingBAC 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)

Refusal to take a Breath TestRefusal 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

Alcohol content in BeveragesAlcohol content in Beverages

Drinking and DrivingDrinking and DrivingLaw 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

Good Hosts and the Drinking Good Hosts and the Drinking DriverDriver

If you serve alcohol at a party, always provide alcohol free drinks

Serve Nutritious foodNever insists a guest should drink alcohol or

insist on refillsStop serving alcohol well before the party endsIf they drink too much, don’t let them driveInvite 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

Drugs and DrivingDrugs 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

Marijuana and DrivingMarijuana 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