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Alcohol-impaired Driving Page 1 of 13 Introduction According to the NHTSA's National Center for Statistics and Analysis, traffic fatalities in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes decreased nearly 4 percent from 13,491 in 2006 to 12,998 in 2007. Although we have been making progress, alcohol is still the third leading factor for drivers involved in fatal crashes. Even if you do not drink, it is still important for you to understand how alcohol affects driving behavior. Anyone who drives or rides in a vehicle is exposed to drunk drivers. Over the past 25 years, a great number of resources have been focused on solving the drinking and driving problem. Today more police patrols and roadblocks are used to find and arrest impaired drivers. In many areas in the U.S., impaired drivers may lose their license, pay huge fines, have their vehicle impounded, have the cost of their insurance doubled or tripled, and/or serve time in jail for a first offense. As a host or hostess, you have the responsibility to ensure that your guests do not get behind the wheel after drinking. To help solve the drinking and driving problem, everyone in our society should clearly understand why this combination is so dangerous.
Transcript
Page 1: Alcohol

Alcohol-impaired DrivingPage 1 of 13

Introduction

According to the NHTSA's National Center for Statistics and Analysis, traffic fatalities in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes decreased nearly 4 percent from 13,491 in 2006 to 12,998 in 2007. Although we have been making progress, alcohol is still the third leading factor for drivers involved in fatal crashes.

Even if you do not drink, it is still important for you to understand how alcohol affects driving behavior. Anyone who drives or rides in a vehicle is exposed to drunk drivers.

Over the past 25 years, a great number of resources have been focused on solving the drinking and driving problem. Today more police patrols and roadblocks are used to find and arrest impaired drivers.

In many areas in the U.S., impaired drivers may lose their license, pay huge fines, have their vehicle impounded, have the cost of their insurance doubled or tripled, and/or serve time in jail for a first offense.

As a host or hostess, you have the responsibility to ensure that your guests do not get behind the wheel after drinking. To help solve the drinking and driving problem, everyone in our society should clearly understand why this combination is so dangerous.

It is a fact that alcohol is a key factor in vehicular crashes.

One person every two minutes is injured in an alcohol-related crash. Over 300,000 people are injured each year in alcohol-related crashes.

About three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives.

This module is about alcohol-impaired driving. The topics that will be addressed include:

Alcohol-related Traffic Crashes Alcohol and Driving Behavior

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Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Eliminating Alcohol Intervention Tec

Alcohol-impaired DrivingPage 2 of 13

Alcohol-related Traffic Crashes

Alcohol is the deadliest drug when it comes to motor vehicle safety. Alcohol is a depressant that affects judgment, vision, reaction time, and coordination–abilities critical to safe driving. Alcohol alters judgment, and under the influence, people take risks they otherwise would not take – this includes driving while impaired.

Mixing alcohol with driving is an issue for any age. On average in the U.S., one friend, parent, or family member dies every 40 minutes in alcohol-related crashes.

Research conducted by the NHTSA in “Traffic Safety Facts 2007” cited that in 2007, a total of 1,670 children age 14 and younger were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes. Of those 1,670 fatalities, 245 (15%) occurred in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. Out of those 245 deaths, more than half (130) were occupants of a vehicle with a driver who had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .08 or higher.

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Alcohol-impaired DrivingPage 3 of 13

Alcohol and Driving Behavior

All people are affected by the consumption of alcohol. Drinking too much of any beverage with alcohol will make a person impaired. And no two humans are physically or emotionally the same.

In addition, expectations, mood, fatigue, and the combination of alcohol with other drugs can have a synergistic effect and alter or increase the effect of alcohol.

Anger, depression, and excitement combined with alcohol increases risk and can be unpredictable.

Since alcohol is a depressant, being tired can affect how you react to alcohol.

Many medications react with alcohol and some people may be more sensitive than others. When used in combination with alcohol, legal medications and illegal drugs can have serious drug interactions and sometimes fatal effects.

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Alcohol's Physical Effects on Driving

Safe driving requires sound judgment, reasoning, and concentration. Drivers need to be focused, see clearly, interpret the situation, and react quickly. Once in the brain, alcohol affects these critical skills - judgment, reasoning, and concentration are all impaired.

Alcohol works quickly to distort depth perception. It relaxes eye muscles which affects focus and peripheral vision. Drivers under the influence of alcohol also tend to focus on one spot and forget to scan constantly with their eyes. Combined with blurred vision, this results in tunnel vision, which causes a 70 percent reduction in your field of vision.

The iris of the eye, which acts the same as a camera shutter, is severely affected by alcohol. The process of opening and closing to shield us from light is delayed from one second to seven seconds. The lens of eyes, which are designed to bring near and far images into focus, begin to be distorted and give us a fuzzy image. Alcohol causes one eye (or both) not to look directly at an object, resulting in double vision. Also, alcohol will decrease the amount of light that reaches our retina and lowers the ability to see in the dark. Meaning your seeing distance in the dark will be less than the stopping distance needed.

An alcohol-impaired driver is less able to interpret what he or she sees. They make errors in judging speed, have trouble interpreting shapes, and lack muscle coordination.

As BAC increases, the area of the brain that controls muscular movements begins to slow down - the brain takes longer to process information and react. Muscular reactions become slow; steering and braking movements become uncoordinated.

No matter how good a driver you are, alcohol will lengthen your reaction time and impair your judgment when driving.

After only one drink, alcohol enters the bloodstream and then quickly enters the brain. Alcohol is quick to find its way to the brain because the brain contains more blood than any other organ.

The result of consuming alcohol faster than the body can eliminate it results in

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intoxication, and in some situations can lead to alcohol poisoning - a physiological state produced by a toxic substance.

Implied Consent Law

By holding a New York driver license and/or operating a vehicle in the state of New York, you are legally consenting to perform a chemical (breath, blood, urine, or saliva) test if directed to do so by a police officer (§ 1194).

Zero Tolerance

New York’s Zero Tolerance law applies to persons under age 21 who operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of .02% or more, but not more than .07%. Under this law, if you are stopped by a police officer for having consumed alcohol and the officer determines that you are younger than 21 and appear to have consumed alcohol, you will be temporarily detained for the purpose of taking a breathalyzer test to determine your BAC. If you refuse to take a breath test, you will be subject to a license revocation of at least one year

Alcohol-impaired DrivingPage 4 of 13

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

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In New York State, you may be arrested for any of these offenses: aggravated driving while intoxicated (Agg-DWI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or more (.08 BAC), driving while ability impaired by a drug (DWAI-drug), driving while ability impaired by alcohol (DWAI), or driving under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs.

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the percentage of alcohol in your blood and is usually determined by a chemical test of breath, blood, urine, or saliva. BAC is the amount of alcohol present in a 100 milliliter (mL) volume of blood. If your BAC is 0.10, it means that your blood contains 0.10 grams of alcohol per 100mLs. A BAC of more than .05 percent is legal evidence that you are impaired, a BAC of .08 percent or higher is evidence of intoxication, and a BAC of .18 percent or more is evidence of aggravated driving while intoxicated.

BAC Levels.02- Reaction slow, poor judgment appears equal to:

5 ounce glass of wine or 1 shot of whiskey (80 proof) 12 ounce can of beer or a wine cooler (5% alcohol)

.05- Driving skills deteriorate, muscles relax, coordination decreases. DWAI

10 ounce glass of wine or 2 shots of whiskey (80 proof) Two 12 ounce cans of beer or wine coolers (5% alcohol)

.08- Judgment, inhibitions, coordination, balance, vision, hearing, and speech are affected. DWI

15 ounce glass of wine 3 shots of whiskey (80 proof) Three 12 ounce cans of beer or wine coolers (5% alcohol)

.30 or higher- Death or coma

Many people think chemical test evidence is required to prove you were intoxicated or impaired. However, a police officer’s testimony about your driving, appearance, and behavior when arrested can provide enough evidence alone to convict you, even without a chemical test.

If you are found guilty of any alcohol or drug-related driving violation, the court must revoke or suspend your license at the time you are sentenced. Even if the court allows you a 20-day continuation of driving privilege, your license itself will be taken immediately.

Vasean's Law

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As of June 2005, Vasean's Law increases the penalties for someone who kills or severely injures other people while under the influence and eliminates the need to show criminal negligence in prosecuting a drunk driver.

New York DWI Penalties

AGGRAVATED DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATEDAGG-DWI (0.18 and higher BAC)

First Offense (Misdemeanor):

Minimum $1,000 fine, maximum $2,500; Up to 1 year in jail; minimum 1-Year License Revocation

Second Offense within 10 Years (Class E Felony):

Minimum $1,000 fine, maximum $5,000; up to 4 years in jail (minimum 5 days or 30 days of community service); minimum 18-month License Revocation

DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED OR DRIVING WHILE ABILITY IMPAIRED BY A DRUGDWI (0.08 and higher BAC) and DWAI-Drug

First Offense (Misdemeanor):

Minimum $500 fine, maximum $1,000; up to 1 year in jail; minimum 6-month License Revocation

Second Offense within 10 Years (Class E Felony):

Minimum $1,000 fine, maximum $5,000; up to 4 years in jail (minimum 5 days or 30 days community service); minimum 1-year License Revocation

DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED BY COMBINED ALCOHOL & DRUGSDWAI-Combination

First Offense (Misdemeanor):

Minimum $500 fine, maximum $1,000; up to 1 year in jail; minimum 6-month License Revocation

Second Offense within 10 Years (Class E Felony):

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Minimum $1,000 fine, maximum $5,000; up to 4 years in jail (minimum 5 days, or 30 days community service); minimum 1-year License Revocation

DRIVING WHILE ABILITY IMPAIREDDWAI (more than .05 up to .07 BAC)

First Offense (Traffic Infraction):

Minimum $300 fine, maximum $500; up to 15 days in jail; 90-day License Suspension

Second Offense within 5 Years (Traffic Infraction):

Minimum $500 fine, maximum $750; up to 30 days in jail; minimum 6-month License Revocation

Alcohol-impaired DrivingPage 5 of 13

Eliminating Alcohol

Males have higher amounts of the dehydrogenase enzyme, so males can eliminate alcohol faster. Men also have more water in their bodies than women so they can dilute alcohol faster.

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Females take longer to eliminate alcohol than males, even though they might be the same weight.

Elapsed time is also a factor. In general, for males it takes the liver from 75 minutes to two hours to process approximately one drink or one ounce of liquor. Typically for females it takes longer.

One drink equals one 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or one shot (1.5 ounces of hard liquor or spirits).

No matter what you have heard, there is no way to disguise BAC or speed up the liver's elimination process. The following charts provide a quick reference to see the relationship of drinking and BAC. Notice the difference between males and females.

No matter what age, drinking and driving do not mix; it is just too dangerous to consider. There are so many other people who do not obey the rules that the risk of sharing the road with an impaired driver is already high enough.

Remember three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives.

Men Approximate Blood Alcohol Percentage

Drinks Body Weight in Pounds

100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240

0 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 Only Safe Driving

Limit

1 .04 .03 .03 .02 .02 .02 .02 .02 Impairment

Begins 2 .08 .06 .05 .05 .04 .04 .03 .03 Driving

Skills Affected

------ Possible Criminal

Penalties

3 .11 .09 .08 .07 .06 .06 .05 .05 4 .15 .12 .11 .09 .08 .08 .07 .06

5 .19 .16 .13 .12 .11 .09 .09 .08

6 .23 .19 .16 .14 .13 .11 .10 .09 Legally Impaired

----- Criminal

Penalties

7 .26 .22 .19 .16 .15 .13 .12 .11 8 .30 .25 .21 .19 .17 .15 .14 .13 9 .34 .28 .24 .21 .19 .17 .15 .14

10 .38 .31 .27 .23 .21 .19 .17 .16 It can take up to two hours for

your body to get rid of one drink. One drink is 1.5 oz. of 80 proof liquor,

12 oz. of beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.

Women Approximate Blood Alcohol Percentage

Drinks Body Weight in Pounds

100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240

0 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 Only Safe Driving

Limit

1 .05 .04 .03 .03 .03 .02 .02 .02 Impairment

Begins 2 .09 .08 .07 .06 .05 .05 .04 .04 Driving

Skills Affected

------ Possible Criminal

Penalties

3 .14 .11 .10 .09 .08 .07 .06 .06 4 .18 .15 .13 .11 .10 .09 .08 .08

5 .23 .19 .16 .14 .13 .11 .10 .09

6 .27 .23 .19 .17 .15 .14 .12 .11 Legally Impaired

----- Criminal

Penalties

7 .32 .27 .23 .20 .18 .16 .14 .13 8 .36 .30 .26 .23 .20 .18 .17 .15 9 .41 .34 .29 .26 .23 .20 .19 .17

10 .45 .38 .32 .28 .25 .23 .21 .19 It can take up to two hours for

your body to get rid of one drink. One drink is 1.5 oz. of 80 proof liquor,

12 oz. of beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.

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Alcohol-impaired DrivingPage 6 of 13

Intervention Techniques

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Most people who drink, drink to relax or have "fun." This is called recreational drinking.

Drinking in excess or frequently to obtain the side effects of alcohol is classified as alcohol abuse.

The third reason for drinking is classified as "experimentation," which is typically associated with teenagers who have not yet experienced the effects of alcohol on their own system.

Unfortunately, most people have a limited knowledge about alcohol and how it impacts their judgment and health. Regardless of the reason, the effects of alcohol are unpredictable.

The Host

As a host, do not keep everyone's glass full and do not expect your guests to drink to excess in order to enjoy themselves.

Serve amounts that are comparable to what would be served in a bar. Your guests need to understand how much alcohol they are consuming in the drinks you have prepared. Try to monitor and control the amount being consumed.

Serve high protein or high starch foods which slow the absorption of alcohol.

It is everyone's social responsibility to keep drinkers from driving. Establish designated drivers or carpools in advance. Try to include non-alcoholic beverages and non-drinkers at social gatherings. Ask the non-drinkers if they can provide transportation.

Responsible adults should limit their alcohol consumption. Preventing drinking and driving situations is not always easy. Rely on your best judgment and call a cab if you or your driver has been drinking.

As a host, be prepared for overnight guests just in case someone needs to stay over. Consider the potential legal liabilities for providing alcohol to guests and make an informed, safe decision.

Open Container Law

If you must transport alcohol, be sure that it is in a sealed, unopened container in the trunk or other locked compartment of your vehicle. Failure to abide by this law is considered a traffic infraction (§ 1227).

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Drug-impaired DrivingPage 1 of 8Introduction

Consider how many drivers you know that operate their vehicle under the influence of over-the-counter, prescription, and/or illegal drugs. The use of almost any drug will have an effect on driving performance.

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Drugs are designed to alter specific body functions and consequently can alter the ability to perceive, make sound judgments, and react quickly.

The majority of drug users are under the influence of legal drugs such as medicine for colds, a headache, muscle or joint pain. Less than 5% of the population uses illegal drugs.

Everyone's Body is Different

If you have prior experience with a drug and its reactions, do not assume it will react the same, especially if you take additional medication. How a drug interacts with your body depends on the dosage, other drugs, food intake, and body weight/metabolism. Taking medicine can cause driving problems such as:

Lengthened reaction time Reduction in your mental or physical abilities Intense or unexpected reactions

If you are taking over-the-counter or prescribed medication, read the warning labels and follow the instructions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist. Inform your doctor of all medications you are taking. When you have this discussion, if applicable, be honest about the amount of alcohol being consumed while taking the drug.

Combinations of medicine can produce unpredictable and strong side effects that make it hazardous for you to drive.

This module addresses the risk associated with drug-impaired driving. Topics include:

Types of Drugs Physiological Effects Dangers of Combining Drugs Dangers of Drug-impaired Driving Avoiding Drug-impa

Drug-impaired DrivingPage 2 of 8Types of Drugs

With all medication, it is important to know what you are dealing with. Here is a quick review of the types of legal and illegal drugs and their effect on the body.

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Legal drugs include non-prescription (over-the-counter) or those requiring a doctor's prescription. Legal drugs are tested for safety and are labeled with consumer warnings.

The categories or types of drugs include:

Depressants Stimulants Narcotics Hallucinogens

Depressants affect the central nervous system by slowing down or "depressing" reflexes and coordination. Depressants include:

Alcohol Analgesics (pain pills) Anti-diabetics (sugar medicine) Barbiturates (downers) Sedatives (ludes)

Stimulants "stimulate" or speed-up the central nervous system. They increase heart rate and generate a false sense of alertness and well being. Stimulants include:

Nicotine (tobacco) Caffeine (soft drinks, chocolate, coffee) Amphetamines (speed) Designer Drugs (Ecstasy) Cocaine (crack/coke)

Narcotics are strong depressants that are often prescribed for severe pain. They act to shut down the central nervous system. Narcotics include:

Opiates (codeine, heroin, morphine)

Hallucinogens alter the mind. They change the way the mind perceives, processes information, and reacts. They are unpredictable and illegal. Hallucinogens include:

Cannabis (marijuana, pot) Lysergic Acid (LSD/acid)

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Mescaline and Peyote (mesc) Phencyclidine (PCP) Inhalants (fumes) Psilocybin (shrooms)

Marijuana

Marijuana, often referred to as weed or pot, is a highly common drug of DWI’s; second only to alcohol. Marijuana has many short term effects which will affect your driving ability.

Distorted perception with sights, sounds, time, and touch Trouble with thinking and problem-solving Loss of coordination Increased heart rate Anxiety Slowed reflexes

The ability to stay in the same lane during curves, to brake quickly, to maintain, or to keep proper space between other cars will be affected. The time the effects of marijuana take to leave your system is much different from alcohol. From a single joint, a person can be under the influence for four to six hours.

Cocaine and Crack

As a stimulant, cocaine may provide a feeling of joy, delight, happiness, and confidence allowing temptation to take risks. Once the high is gone, drowsiness sets in and the danger of falling asleep behind the wheel is dramatically increased. Drastic changes in blood pressure and heart rate may lead to anxiety, nausea, and tremors with the possibility of convulsions or a heart attack.

Crack, a more purified version of cocaine, is five to six times stronger than cocaine. The drug produces a false sense of euphoria and confidence, reducing a driver’s sensibility to drive defensively. Crack will make some drivers believe their ability increases but the drug makes the individual focus on very specific tasks, reducing peripheral vision.

Drug-impaired DrivingPage 3 of 8Physiological Effects of Drugs

Drugs alter body chemistry. Prescription drugs and non-prescription drugs have been developed by pharmaceutical companies and approved for public consumption by the Food and Drug Administration.

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Legal drugs have been tested for reactions and side effects before going on the market.

Side effects vary and may include:

Drowsiness Blurred vision Sensitivity to bright light Muscle ache Nausea Slowed reaction time

All of these side effects alter a driver's performance.

The list of drug-related side effects is endless and can vary depending on the individual. Never assume you will not react differently or will not be adversely affected after taking some type of drug.

Legal drugs carry warning labels. The issuance of prescription drugs requires the pharmacist to tell you how and when to take the drug and what to do if there are side effects. Warning labels also carry specific instructions, such as: "Do not operate heavy machinery or equipment while taking this medication."

As a driver, if you take medication, read the label and know what is in your system. Before driving, conduct an inventory of how you are thinking and feeling. If you are experiencing any "side effects" that affect your vision, thinking, or reaction time, do not drive.

Drug-impaired DrivingPage 4 of 8Dangers of Combining Drugs

Combining different drugs may cause a more intense effect than if you only take one drug at a time. This effect is called synergism and is unpredictable and extremely dangerous. Just like any chemical reaction, chemicals might be stable alone, but when mixed, a dangerous chemical reaction can occur.

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If you combine similar drugs, for example, two depressants, the effect of combining two might be similar to taking three. This is especially true with alcohol. Combining alcohol and drugs (or combining different drugs) may result in serious side effects. For example, alcohol combined with tranquilizers or barbiturates severely depresses the central nervous system and can lead to death.

The same is true for combining drugs that have opposite effects. You may have different reactions to the individual drugs.

Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications have side effects that can include drowsiness, dizziness, slowed reaction time, and poor judgment. These tips will help you handle OTC and prescription medications safely:

Tell your doctor about every drug you are taking, including OTC medicines and those prescribed by other doctors

Ask your pharmacist about possible side effects for each medicine or combination of medicines

Ask how these side effects may affect your driving Always read the warning labels completely and carefully Never take more of any drug than is prescribed Never take a drug prescribed for someone else

If you must drive after taking any medication, be extra careful. Almost any medicine can affect your driving.

Never combine drugs and use drugs only as recommended.

Drug-impaired DrivingPage 5 of 8

Dangers of Drug-impaired Driving

Most state vehicle codes state that you shall not drive a motor vehicle after taking a substance which alters the central nervous system. This includes over the counter, prescription, and of course, illegal drugs.

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The following categories of drugs have known side effects that include impaired attention, reaction time, and vision:

Depressants slow the brain's processing ability to perceive and also slow the muscle response or reaction time.

Stimulants temporarily excite and accelerate the central nervous system. Over stimulation can cause aggressive behavior.

Narcotics depress the central nervous system. They slow down the brain's ability to process information and react.

Cold medicines can also have serious side effects that impair driving. Read all warning labels carefully and follow the instructions. Most suppress cold symptoms and therefore the "side effects" slow the driver's ability to think and react quickly.

Reference the following chart to help recognize common drugs, their source, and how they can impact your ability to drive safely.

How Drugs Affect Your Ability to Drive Types of Drugs - Examples Source Known Side Effects

Amphetamines (diet pills, pep pills): Benzedrine, Dexedrine

Prescription for fatigue and mild depression

Dizziness, hallucinations, hyperactivity, decreased ability to concentrate, headaches

Painkillers - Analgesics: Aspirin, Excedrin

Over-the-counter Bleeding in stomach and intestines

Antibiotics - For infection: Penicillin

Prescription for infection

Nausea

Allergy and Cold Pills - Antihistamines: Benadryl, Dramamine

Prescription and over-the-counter

Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, inattention

Sedatives - Barbiturates: Seconal, Nembutal

Prescription for insomnia, high blood pressure, epilepsy

Drowsiness, impaired judgment, impaired reflexes

Anti-anxiety - Benzodiazepines: Valium

Prescription for mild anxiety

Blurred vision, drowsiness, fatigue

Tranquilizers - Librium, ValiumPrescription for severe anxiety and emotional problems

Blurred vision, drowsiness, fatigue, faintness, vomiting, tremors, dizziness

Narcotics - Cough syrup and painkillers: Morphine, Codeine, Demerol, Tylenol with Codeine

Prescription for pain, cough suppressant, and insomnia

Nausea, blurred vision, drowsiness, impaired concentration

Alcohol - Beer, wine, liquor Regulated sales, age Impaired judgment, concentration

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restrictionsand reasoning, nausea, blurred vision, drowsiness

Marijuana and Hashish IllegalDistorted depth perception, impaired coordination, depression, panic, fear, hallucination

Hallucinogens - LSD, PCP, mescaline

IllegalImpaired senses, hallucination, panic, depression

Stimulants: Cocaine: crack, crank, "ice," freebase

Illegal

Dizziness, impaired alertness, hallucinations, hyperactivity, decreased ability to concentrate, headaches

Fatigue-impaired DrivingPage 1 of 9

Introduction

Have you ever nodded off while driving and snapped awake without remembering what just happened on your journey?

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that there are 100,000 police-reported crashes resulting in 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries annually as the result of drowsy driving. Drowsy driving is a cause of 13% of all traffic fatalities and 30% of fatalities.

62% of drivers drive when they are tired.

50% of fatal crashes involve single vehicle collisions where the vehicle travels off the road, rolls over, or collides with a fixed object.

40% of adults are so tired that it interferes with their daily activities.

Studies have shown that sleep impaired drivers' reaction times and performance skills are as poor as alcohol-impaired drivers'.

There are two types of fatigue:

Physical - A tendency toward inactivity brought on by physical exhaustion Mental - A tendency toward inactivity brought on by mental or emotional stress

Your body and mind both get tired. Recognize physical and mental fatigue so that you can be sure you never get in a vehicle when your body needs to sleep. Your brain will find the sleep it needs when you are fatigued, and falling asleep at the wheel or experiencing a microsleep (temporary loss of concentration) can happen when you least expect it.

Fatigue may be brought on by mental or physical exertion, stress, boredom, illness, or lack of sleep. Drowsy driving is now recognized as one of the leading causes of traffic crashes.

Do not drive tired and do not ride with a tired driver.

This module is about how being tired affects your ability to drive. The topics that will be addressed include:

Circadian Rhythm Physical and Mental Effects of Fatigue Micro-sleep Sleep Driving

Driving on Long Trips

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Fatigue-impaired DrivingPage 3 of 9Circadian Rhythm

When do you find yourself wanting a nap - sometime in the afternoon after lunch? Avoid scheduling a drive when your circadian rhythm is low. These times are when you are more likely to zone out, blank out, or

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experience microsleeps at the wheel.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, most sleep crashes occur during "the middle of the night" and during the early morning hours. Less obvious, though, there is also a peak in sleep-related crashes in the mid-afternoon. Our natural circadian rhythms dictate that we will be most sleepy during the middle of our nighttime sleep period, and again 12 hours later, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Vehicle off-road rollovers most often occur during these hours.

If you work a late shift or stay up late into the night for whatever reason, be aware that fatigue affects your mind, body, and all your senses, especially vision.

It is not safe to drive if you have stayed awake during your natural sleep time.

Fatigue-impaired DrivingPage 4 of 9

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Physical and Mental Effects of Fatigue

Fatigue affects your body and your mind. When tired, you are not as alert as you should be and your senses are dulled.

Your vision is affected because your eye muscles are tired along with the rest of your body and focusing becomes difficult. Your peripheral vision shrinks. Your ability to search is also reduced, delaying hazard recognition.

You may miss critical information such as road signs and traffic signals. Or worse, you may not see an animal or pedestrian approaching from the

side.

When you are tired, your body is relaxed and it takes more time to steer and brake. Your brain is slowing down and your ability to react quickly is reduced.

Lack of sleep is one of the leading causes of traffic fatalities. Fatigue has many of the same dangerous effects as drinking alcohol. Driving sleepy is similar to driving drunk because both drive slower, both use high beams, both keep the windows open, and both are erratic.

12 hours awake = same effect as .032 blood alcohol concentration

18 hours awake = same effect as .07 blood alcohol concentration 24 hours awake = same effect as .1 blood alcohol concentration

Be aware that any of these blood alcohol levels could be illegal, and you could be considered as impaired as if you were drinking alcohol.

Do not drive tired or after drinking. Never risk driving under this combination of risk factors.

Fatigue-impaired DrivingPage 5 of 9

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Microsleep

Microsleep is a term used for sudden, unexpected moments of sleep - microsleeps last 4-5 seconds.

In 4-5 seconds, traveling 50 mph, your vehicle can travel the length of a football field. Close your eyes and count to five - imagine what can happen when you are asleep even for a few seconds at the wheel.

In about half of the drivers who experience microsleep, there are no warning signs. Be attentive to the warnings that your body may give when you are about to fall asleep. Those warnings and symptoms include:

Discomfort - heavy arms and legs Tense muscles Heavy eyes Constant yawning Leaning forward while driving Feeling tired Headache Your eyes closing Trouble keeping your head up Wandering, disconnected thoughts Distraction Not remembering driving the last few miles Drifting between lanes Tailgating Missing traffic signs Hearing the noise of rumble strips or lane markings Jerking the vehicle Drifting off the road

When you notice these warning signs, get off the road. Do not depend on warning signs because sometimes microsleeps occur without any warning. You cannot predict when you will fall asleep at the wheel.

Do you have health issues that disrupt your sleep patterns? Are you getting the needed 8 hours of sleep recommended by the National Sleep Foundation?

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If not, you are a likely candidate for microsleep, or "nodding off" while driving.

If you experience microsleep, pull off where it is safe and you can rest. Prevent microsleep by:

1. Driving only when rested 2. Scheduling your drives to avoid your circadian rhythm "low-times" 3. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule 4. Avoiding mental and physical exertion before driving

Rest is the only cure for the effects of fatigue. Do not even consider driving if you are tired.

Fatigue-impaired DrivingPage 6 of 9Sleep Driving

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In March 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new warnings for prescription sleep aids, alerting patients that the drugs can cause allergic reactions and complex sleep-related behaviors, including “sleep driving.”

The agency has asked the makers of more than a dozen drugs to alter drug labels and officially warn doctors and patients of the risks associated with sedative-hypnotics. These commonly prescribed sleep aids are widely used and frequently advertised on television.

Some patients who have taken the drugs, have reported participating in behaviors similar to sleepwalking, but far more complex - such as driving, all with no memory of the events.

If you are taking these types of drugs, reduce the risk of unpredictable "sleep driving" by taking no more than the prescribed amount and do not mix it with alcohol.

This information may not apply to you directly, but add it to the list of reasons you need to be a defensive driver. Stay focused and be aware at all times - drivers near you could be asleep with their eyes wide open.

Fatigue-impaired DrivingPage 7 of 9Driving on Long Trips

Driving on long trips is a unique experience:

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You are behind the wheel for a greater distance and time than you are normally used to

There are different driving environments and unfamiliar roads, which require you to be alert and attentive

Time zone changes interfere with your normal body clock and schedule

Tips for preventing fatigue when driving on long trips include:

1. Get plenty of sleep before you depart2. Ensure your vehicle has good air circulation3. Wear your safety belt - it "holds" you in your seat and your muscles do not tire so

quickly4. Take frequent breaks. Schedule and plan to stop every two hours, get out, and

walk around.5. Rest. If necessary, find a hotel to prevent a fatigue-related crash.

Emotions and DrivingPage 1 of 8Introduction

Anger, fear, anxiety, and extreme happiness are examples of emotions that can interfere with your ability to make safe driving decisions.

Emotions affect the body physically and mentally. Emotional stress also

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causes dangerous fatigue. As a driver, when you are physically and mentally off-balance you need to recognize the warning signs and take control of your emotions.

We all experience stress as a part of our daily lives. At extreme levels, stress causes an increase in your heart rate, an increase in your breathing rate, muscle tension, headaches, and fatigue. All of these reactions impair your ability to operate a vehicle.

Learn the warning signs. Recognize why and when your ability to make good decisions is affected by emotions.

One of the ways to manage emotions, especially anger while driving, is to leave early - allow yourself plenty of time to get from point A to point B. This reduces the need to speed and allows you time to be patient and courteous.

Work on adjusting your attitude and staying calm - especially when someone cuts in front of you or is tailgating and honking at you because you are traveling the speed limit.

This module is about emotional impairment and how it affects driving. The topics that will be addressed include:

Emotional Impairment Why Driving Makes People Angry Aggressive Driving Recognizing Aggression Within Managing Your Emotions

Emotions and DrivingPage 2 of 8Emotional Impairment

Driving requires interaction between your body and mental processes. Drivers routinely drive in mental states that interfere with the ability to perceive risk and react quickly. You are impaired when your ability to operate a vehicle is limited or hampered.

Emotional impairment leads to unpredictable behavior, which increases

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the risk for everyone in the driving environment.

Emotional impairment factors are hard to manage because they often arise suddenly, without warning. The most common factors that create an emotionally impaired driver include:

Stress Anger or rage Fear, anxiety, or panic accompanied by irrational thoughts Depression Grief Speed addiction Risk addiction Habitual disrespect for the law Negativity that condones hostility on the highway Denial of one's own driving mistakes

Drivers who drive recklessly while experiencing these emotions are characterized as unwilling to exercise self-control because of fear, vengeance, prejudice or disrespect for others.

Avoiding collisions requires complex decisions and skilled responses. Other drivers depend on you to be rational and predictable.

Emotions and DrivingPage 3 of 8

Why Driving Makes People Angry

Driving is a dynamic activity that involves high-risk incidents and interaction with thousands of unpredictable drivers. Routine events are mixed with incidents that are not routine such as being cut off, tailgated, or having to follow a very slow moving vehicle.

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We enjoy the freedom and independence of driving when and where we please. Many drivers do not react well when that expected freedom is interrupted by restrictions, regulations, congestion, and the unexpected actions of other drivers.

The following is a list of emotional challenges that are common reasons why drivers get angry, hostile, and exhibit aggressive behavior:

Restriction. In a traffic jam, when drivers cannot get where they are going on time or at the expected speed of travel, anxiety builds up to "escape" the confinement of congested traffic. This anxiety causes drivers to perform aggressive maneuvers to get away from or get ahead of others.

Being confronted with danger.Congested traffic filled with impatient drivers who make unpredictable moves causes "close calls" and near collisions. Being confronted with dangerous situations increases stress, fear, resentment, and rage.

Regulation. Government regulation, and all of the rules associated with driving, angers some people because they feel like it is an imposition, prompting them to disregard the rules because they do not agree with them or they are just rebellious.

Lack of control over the situation. When drivers have no control over their driving environment and are stuck in traffic, the lack of control over the traffic event is frustrating and often leads to anger vented towards a nearby driver. It is the application of the old adage, "frustration leads to aggression."


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