Drinking and Driving The Dangers and Consequences.

Drinking and Driving

The Dangers and Consequences.

The state of drinking and driving

Drinking and driving laws started to become popular during the 1970’s.

DUI fatalities decreased until the year 2000. In 2006, there were 13,470 alcohol-impaired-

driving fatalities. This is almost the same as compared to 13,451 alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities reported in 1996.

What have we done wrong?

Real Talk

What is the number 1 cause of death for teens?– Drinking and Driving

What type of reckless driving habits do teens do more than other drivers?– Speed– Run Red lights– Drive w/ drunk driver– Drive while under the influence

Common Excuses for driving while drunk.

What are some examples of excuses that you may have heard why people drink and drive?– Short ride home– I’m not that drunk/Alcohol does not affect me– I am a better driver when I am drunk– I have done it before– No other way home– Don’t want night to end—(next party, alone time with

girl/boy friend)– Can’t find a taxi– Didn’t plan on drinking this much

How your brain allows you to drive drunk

Alcohol-induced loss of judgment.

Lack of planning—if you know you are going to drink, plan accordingly.

Peer pressure—teens, particularly boys, see drinking and driving as a test of manhood.

Over-confidence created from alcohol.

Lack of education—people still don’t know the dangers of drinking and driving.

Who drinks and drives?

Do more men or women drink and drive?– Men

What age group drives drunk the most?– Drivers in their early 20’s.

What racial group drives drunk the most?– White—72% (African American—12%, Hispanic—

12%)

Other Drunk Driving Facts

Approximately 21% of fatal crashes have 16 to 20 year old drivers involved

Nearly half of those killed in alcohol-related deaths had not been drinking.

77% of drinking and driving accidents occur between 6pm and 6am.

Friday and Saturday nights between 10:00 p.m. and 3:00 A.M. 1 in every 10 drivers is legally under the influence of alcohol.

Drugs, Alcohol and You

How narcotics affect you and your ability to drive.

Classifying Drugs and Alcohol

Alcohol is a DEPRESSANT which is a drug that slows

down the central nervous system

Types of DrugsOver the counter drugs Purchased at a store Examples—Cough Suppressants, Cold Medicines, Dietary Supplements Effect on driving—slows reaction timesPrescription drugs Doctor ordered drugs Most Abused—Oxycotin, Demorol, Vicodin, Ritalin, Attarell, Xanax Effect on driving—slower reaction time, lowers coordination alters thinking.Stimulants Speeds up the central nervous system Examples—Cocaine, Ecstasy Effect on driving—brain has hard time processessing information, over-reactions.Depressants Slows down the central nervous system Examples—Alcohol, QuaaludeHallucinogens Alters a persons senses (thinking awareness etc.) Examples—LSD, PCP Effects on driving—vision, response, ability to process information, reaction

Effects on your body

After 1 drink:– Judgment, reasoning

and concentration are affected

– Coordination is reduced– Eyesight becomes

distorted– Moods and emotions

are altered

Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream very quickly, but is removed very slowly.

It will stay in your system until it is removed by the liver

It takes approximately 1 hour to remove 1 drink from an average sized body.

Behavior and Alcohol

Before we start, what are some behaviors you have noticed once people begin drinking?

As people drink behavior changes– Lose inhibitions– Heighten emotions– Allows you to take risks that you would not normally

take. The effect of alcohol is not the same in all people;

some people develop higher tolerance. However, at some point, all who drink will feel the effects.

Controlling Impairment

• 4 factors that determine how fast someone will feel the effects of drinking.

1. Amount consumed2. Time3. Size of individual4. Food

How Your Driving is Affected

The follow driving abilities are impaired when under the influence of drugs or alcohol:– Reaction--http://www.stoppingdistances.org.uk/results/20dyn.htm

– Vision – Tracking - the ability to judge the car's position on the

road.– Concentration – Comprehension - the depressant effect of alcohol

hinders the ability to make rational decisions – Coordination

http://publichealth.hsc.wvu.edu/alcohol/Driving---Alcohol/Demonstration

DUI Laws

Did You Know?

A 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a 1.5-ounce shot of liquor all contain the same amount of alcohol.

This means:– You will feel the effects

of the alcohol faster if you drink vodka, rum, gin, etc. at a quick rate. This is a dangerous behavior.

Blood-Alcohol Concentration

BACThe amount of alcohol

in a persons blood stream

Determining BAC

A persons BAC and level of intoxication can be determined through the use of a chemical test that measures the amount of alcohol in the blood stream.

Examples—Breath, Blood, Urine Test

Number of Drinks Consumed

1 2 3 4 5Weight(LBS.)

100 .04 .09 .15 .20 .25

120 .03 .08 .12 .16 .21

140 .02 .06 .10 .14 .18

160 .02 .05 .09 .10 .15

180 .02 .05 .08 .10 .13

200 .01 .04 .07 .09 .12

Blood Alcohol Concentration Levels(within one hour of consumption)

BAC and Accidents

Research has shown that higher levels of BAC lead to greater likelihood of being involved in an accident.

If your BAC is:– .06—you are 2x more likely– .08—5x more likely– .10—6x more likely– .15—25x more likely

Pennsylvania Laws

Legal Limit is .08. Anyone caught driving with a BAC greater than .08 is driving drunk.– Can receive a DUI if your BAC is under .08 if

caught driving erratically (swerving, too slow/fast, wide turns, etc.)

Applies to anyone who drives, operates or has actual physical control of a vehicle or motorcycle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

Double Whammy

If you are pulled over and charged with DUI, you face penalties from 2 places:– 1. DMV will hold a hearing. The DMV

hearing will determine if and for how long you will lose your license.

– 2. State courts will hold a trial. The state will charge you with a crime; if found guilty, you face fines, probation, or jail time.

DUI and your wallet

DUI is an expensive crime to commit. When you factor in fines, attorney’s fees, increased insurance, DUI treatment classes, and time away from work, the average DUI will cost you about $4000.

http://www.onedui.com/costs.asp

PA Sliding Scale of Punishment

If convicted, your punishment will be determined by 3 things:– 1. BAC level– 2. Seriousness of accident– 3. Previous convictions

There are 3 tables of punishments, each broken off by BAC level. If you are under 21 or in an accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage, you are automatically moved to the higher penalities, regardless of your BAC level.

Table 1 Penalties

Penalty 1st Offense 2nd Offense 3rd Offense

Sentence 6 months probation

5 days to 6 months in prison

10 days to 2 years in prison

Fine $300 $300--$2500 $500-$5000

License No action 12 month suspension

12 month suspension

General Impairment--.08-.099 BAC

Alcohol Highway Safety School required for 1st and 2nd offenses.Ignition Interlock Device required for 2nd and 3rd offenses (1 year).Undergo alcohol-abuse screenings and treatment after any offense.Judge can order up to 150 hours of community service

Table 2 Penalties


Sentence 2 days to 6 months in prison

30 days to 6 months in prison


Fine $500-$5000 $750--$5000 $1500--$10,000

License 12-month suspension

12-month suspension

18-month suspension

General Impairment--.10 to.159 BAC


Table 3 PenaltiesGeneral Impairment--.16 and up BAC


Sentence 3 days to 6 months prison


1 year to 5 year prison

Fine $1000--$5000 $1500 $2500 minimum

License 12-month suspension

18 month suspension

18 month suspension


Penalties continued

For 1st offenses at the highest 2 levels, you may be accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program.

Instead of jail, you will– Lose license for 90 days– Pay a fine– Undergo evaluation and treatment– Remain under court supervision– Participate in 12.5 hours of Safety School

Underage DUI Laws

Zero Tolerance—As little as 1 drink may make it illegal for a person under the age of 21 to drive.

Rationale—Traffic crashes are number 1 cause of death for teens in U.S.

If you are under 21 and convicted of DUI, the penalties can be:– 1. Jail term ranging from 2 days to 6 months– 2. License suspended for 1 year– 3. Fine ranging from $500 to $5000.

Underage Drinking Laws

You can have your license taken from you for just being in possession of alcohol. You do not have to be driving.

Penalties are as follows:– Fine of $500 plus court costs– 90 day suspension for 1st offense– 1 year for 2nd

– 2 year for 3rd and further offenses.

If busted and you do not have a license, you are ineligible to apply for a permit for the time period of the suspension.

If under 16, your suspension will not begin until you turn 16.

Your Parents and Parties

Any parent convicted of knowingly and intentionally supplying alcohol to minors are fined at least $1000 for 1st offense and $2500 for each additional one. Can also face jail time.

Adults are liable for parties at their house-for example, if you have 17 friends over, you parents could be fined 41, 000 dollars.

Implied Consent Law

By obtaining a driving license it is deemed you have given consent to submit to a blood, breathe, or urine test if arrested for a DUI

Refusing to submit will result in an automatic 1 to 2 year revocation of your license depending on # of previous DUI offenses

Conclusion

If you choose to drink, don’t drive. If you are going to drink, have a

designated driver—he/she should NOT DRINK AT ALL.

DUI is an easily avoidable crime; you just have to make the smart decision and not do it.

Drinking and Driving The Dangers and Consequences.

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