ALCOHOL & DRIVING

Driver Manual

Chapter 6

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

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-being2. Not let someone who has been drinking get behind the wheel3. To refer problem drinkers to join a support/counseling group

Effects of Alcohol on the Body

Liver Heart Sexuality Brain Stomach Sleep

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

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

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

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 +

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

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

LAWS,TESTS, & PENALTIESp. 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 intoxication1. Chemical analysis of blood or urine2. Breath test – penalty for refusal (p. 103)

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

DRUG CATEGORIES

NARCOTICS

1. Heroin

2. Codeine

3. Morphine

DEPRESSANTS

1. Alcohol

2. Barbiturates

3. Methadone

4. Sleeping pills

5. Tranquilizers

Cont’d

STIMULANTS

1. Amphetamines (speed)

2. Cocaine (crack or rock)

HALLUCINOGENS

1. Marijuana

2. LSD

3. PCP (angel dust)

4. Hashish

Effect of Drugs and Driving

Perception Judgment Coordination Vision Mood

Marijuana and Driving

2nd most drug found with drivers involved in a collision

Affects Loss of tracking ability Distance judgment Vigilance undivided attention

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????