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Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Driving
Chapter 7
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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.
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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.
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After one drink….. Affect judgment, reasoning, and concentration
Reduce coordination Distort depth perception Alter moods & emotions
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Drugs Any substance that changes the way the body works
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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+
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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
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Peer pressure Negative Positive
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