1. ALCOHOL & DRIVING Driver Manual Chapter 6

2. BACKGROUND Alcohol is involved in ~40% of all highway deaths About ½ the people killed are NOT the ones who were drinking Drinking 1-2 drinks makes a teenager 40x more likely to be involved in a fatal collision compared to any sober driver

3. EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL Changes the way one acts, thinks, and feels Many experiment to overcome feelings of shyness, inhibition, unhappiness, and/or increases confidence NO such thing as a responsible drinker being underage, but you have the responsibility to: 1. Protect yourself from the threat alcohol poses to your health and well-being 2. Not let someone who has been drinking get behind the wheel 3. To refer problem drinkers to join a support/counseling group

4. Effects of Alcohol on the Body Liver Heart Sexuality Brain Stomach Sleep

5. SIGNS OF A PROBLEM DRINKER Changes in behavior: Loss of initiatives Frequent lateness/absences from school Increased behavioral problems Lower grades Change in friends Trouble with the law Insomnia Memory loss or blackouts

6. PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL 1. Reaction time decreases 2. Coordination becomes “sloppy” 3. Depth Perception is deceiving, judgment is impaired 4. Speed Perception is distorted 5. Vision - decreased reflex action of pupils - impaired side, color, & night vision - decreased eye focus - may cause double vision

7. MENTAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL Can make you feel as though you are thinking more clearly than usual = impaired judgment Affects INHIBITIONS* - elements of personality that stop you from behaving w/out regard to possible consequences

8. BAC LEVEL Blood alcohol concentration – the percent of alcohol in a person’s blood - in NJ, it is illegal to drive when the BAC is: >21 yrs. old -.08 + <21 yrs. old -.01-.08 +

9. KEY POINTS BAC level of:.05 – doubles risk of crashing.10 – 6x greater risk of crashing.15 – 25x greater risk of crashing A “drink” means – 1.5oz. of 86 proof liquor = 12oz. can of beer = 5oz. glass of wine The greatest # of people arrested for drinking & driving had been drinking beer

10. KEY POINTS cont’d 4 factors that will cause an increase in BAC: 1. Amount consumed 2. Time the amount is consumed 3. Body weight 4. Amount of food in stomach 5. Gender Myths for sobering up? *TIME is the only method

11. LAWS,TESTS, & PENALTIES p. 103, 110-115 IMPLIED CONSENT LAW* - agreement to give police permission to test for alcohol use if arrested for suspicion of drinking & driving Tests for intoxication 1. Chemical analysis of blood or urine 2. Breath test – penalty for refusal (p. 103)

12. OTHER DRUGS AFFECT DRIVING Over-the-counter – may cause drowsiness or dizziness - medicines for colds, flu, headaches, allergies, & other everyday ailments Prescription – look at the warnings Depressants – slow down the central nervous system Stimulants – speed up the central nervous system Hallucinogens – changes the way one thinks, feels, and acts **ILLEGAL** Narcotics – strong depressant effect - may cause stupor, coma, and/or death

13. DRUG CATEGORIES NARCOTICS 1. Heroin 2. Codeine 3. Morphine DEPRESSANTS 1. Alcohol 2. Barbiturates 3. Methadone 4. Sleeping pills 5. Tranquilizers

14. Cont’d STIMULANTS 1. Amphetamines (speed) 2. Cocaine (crack or rock) HALLUCINOGENS 1. Marijuana 2. LSD 3. PCP (angel dust) 4. Hashish

15. Effect of Drugs and Driving Perception Judgment Coordination Vision Mood

16. Marijuana and Driving 2 nd most drug found with drivers involved in a collision Affects Loss of tracking ability Distance judgment Vigilance undivided attention

17. DISTRACTIONS & DRIVING Vehicle audio system - playing music too loud - changing stations, tapes, and/or CD’s Headphones - may not hear important sounds, such as other cars honking Cell phones Passengers Other distractions????