Alcohol-impaired Driving

Page 1 of 13

Introduction
According to the NHTSA's National Center for Statistics and
Analysis, the percent of alcohol-related fatalities has
declined from 60% in 1982 to 39% in 2005. 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 2 minutes is injured in an alcohol-related crash. Over 327,000 people are
injured per 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
 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
 Eliminating Alcohol
  Intervention Techniques

Alcohol-impaired Driving
Page 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 31 minutes in alcohol-related crashes.

Research conducted by the NHTSA in “Traffic Safety Facts

2005” cited that:

 In 2005, all 50 states had enacted laws making it a

criminal offense to operate a motor vehicle at or above a specified alcohol
concentration--.08 g/dL.
 In fatal crashes in 2005, the highest percentage of drivers with blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) levels .08 g/dL or higher was for drivers ages 21-24, followed
by ages 25-34 and 35-44.
 In 2005, 21% of the children age 14 and younger who were killed in motor vehicle
crashes were killed in alcohol-related crashes.
 The percentage of drivers with BAC .08 g/dL or above in fatal crashes was highest
for motorcycle operators.

Alcohol-impaired Driving
Page 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.

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 and affects focus
and peripheral vision.

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 Blood Alcohol Concentration (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 slow your reaction time and impair your
judgment when driving.

After only one drink, alcohol enters the bloodstream and then quickly enters the brain.

The result of consuming alcohol faster than the body can eliminate it results in intoxication,
and in some situations can lead to alcohol poisoning - a pathophysiological state produced
by a toxic substance.

Implied Consent Law

In Texas, if you are arrested for an offense arising out of acts alleged to have been
committed while you were operating a motor vehicle while impaired, or you are a minor and
have ANY detectable amount of alcohol in your system while operating a motor vehicle in a
public place, you are deemed to have consented to submit to the taking of one or more
specimens of your breath or blood for analysis to determine the alcohol concentration or the
presence in your body of a controlled substance, drug, dangerous drug, or other substance.

Refusal to provide a specimen results in the suspension of your driving privilege and any
driver license. The suspension for a minor who refuses is 180 days for the first refusal, and
2 years for subsequent refusals. If the specimen confirms that you have been operating a
motor vehicle in a public place with 0.08% BAC or above, you will have your driver license
suspended (or your driving privilege will be revoked if unlicensed) for 60 days for the first
offense, 120 days for the second offense, and 180 days for the third and subsequent
offenses. You may request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge to contest the
suspension.

Page 4 of 13
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
Alcohol begins to affect a person's ability to function
moments after it enters the body.

The amount of alcohol present in the bloodstream is called

blood alcohol concentration. Precise legal measurements are used to determine the amount
of alcohol in the body, and if a driver is impaired or illegally driving under the influence. It is
a criminal offense in all 50 states to operate a motor vehicle at or above .08 g/dL. Lower
BAC levels apply to young drivers under 21 and commercial vehicle operators.

Many factors can affect an individual's BAC – such as gender, weight, number and size of
drinks.

Also, the more a person drinks, the higher their BAC.

Alcohol is metabolized by the liver, where dehydrogenase enzymes break down the alcohol.
The BAC level does go down after the body begins to eliminate alcohol from the system -
but this is a very slow process that does not occur at the same pace for everyone.

Texas DWI Penalties

Texas has tough alcohol-related laws to deter people from drinking and driving or to punish
those who choose to drink and drive:

 1st DWI Offense (Class B misdemeanor) - Punishable as a fine up to $2,000,

confinement in jail for up to 6 months, and suspension of driver license for up to a
year. Possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage increases the
minimum term of confinement by 3 days to 6 days for a 1st offense.

 2nd DWI Offense (Class A misdemeanor) - Punishable by a fine up to $4,000,

confinement in jail for up to 1 year, and suspension of driver license for up to 2
years.

 3rd (or subsequent) DWI Offense (Felony of the Third Degree) - Punishable by a fine
up to $10,000, confinement in the penitentiary for up to 10 years, and suspension of
driver license for up to 2 years.

 DWI with Child Passenger Under 15 (State Jail Felony) - Punishable by a fine up to
$10,000, confinement in jail for up to 2 years.

 Intoxication Assault (Felony of the Third Degree) - Punishable by a fine up to

$10,000, confinement in the penitentiary for up to 10 years, and suspension of
driver license for up to 1 year.

 Intoxication Manslaughter (Felony of the Second Degree) - Punishable by a fine up to

$10,000, confinement in the penitentiary for up to 20 years, and suspension of
driver license for up to 2 years.
Alcohol-impaired Driving
Page 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.

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

Elapsed time is also a factor. For most males it takes the liver around one hour 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.
 Women
Approximate Blood Alcohol Percentage
Drink
Body Weight in Pounds
s
10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Only Safe
Men 0 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 Driving
Approximate Blood Alcohol Percentage Limit
Drink Impairmen
Body Weight in Pounds 1 .05 .04 .03 .03 .03 .02 .02 .02 t
s
Begins
10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 .09 .08 .07 .06 .05 .05 .04 .04 Driving
3 .14 .11 .10 .09 .08 .07 .06 .06 Skills
Only Safe
4 .18 .15 .13 .11 .10 .09 .08 .08 Affected
0 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 Driving
------
Limit
Possible
Impairmen 5 .23 .19 .16 .14 .13 .11 .10 .09 Criminal
1 .04 .03 .03 .02 .02 .02 .02 .02 t Penalties
Begins
6 .27.23 .19 .17 .15 .14 .12 .11 Legally
2 .08 .06 .05 .05 .04 .04 .03 .03 Driving
7 .32.27 .23 .20 .18 .16 .14 .13 Impaired
3 .11 .09 .08 .07 .06 .06 .05 .05 Skills
Affected 8 .36.30 .26 .23 .20 .18 .17 .15 -----
4 .15 .12 .11 .09 .08 .08 .07 .06
------ 9 .41.34 .29 .26 .23 .20 .19 .17 Criminal
Possible 10 .45.38 .32 .28 .25 .23 .21 .19 Penalties
5 .19 .16 .13 .12 .11 .09 .09 .08 Criminal It takes around one hour for
Penalties your body to get rid of one drink.
6 .23 .19 .16 .14 .13 .11 .10 .09 Legally One drink is 1.5 oz. of 80 proof liquor,
7 .26 .22 .19 .16 .15 .13 .12 .11 Impaired
8 .30 .25 .21 .19 .17 .15 .14 .13 ----- 12 oz. of beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.
9 .34 .28 .24 .21 .19 .17 .15 .14 Criminal
10 .38 .31 .27 .23 .21 .19 .17 .16 Penalties
It takes around one hour 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.

Alcohol-impaired Driving
Page 6 of 13
Intervention Techniques
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.

It is illegal to have open containers of alcohol in your vehicle while you are operating it. If a
police officer sees you drinking alcohol while operating your vehicle, you can be fined up to
$500. If you receive a DWI while in possession of an open container of alcohol, it increases
the minimum jail time by 3-6 days.
Alcohol-impaired Driving
Page 13 of 13

Review
Alcohol enters the bloodstream very quickly and begins to
affect the body almost immediately. It is quick to find its
way to the brain because the brain contains more blood
than any other organ. The amount of alcohol present in the
bloodstream is called blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

Many factors can affect an individual's BAC - such as

gender, weight, number and size of drinks.

Typically, one drink equals one 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce

glass of wine, or one shot. The male liver takes about one
hour to process one drink.

An alcohol-impaired driver is less able to interpret what he

or she sees. They make errors interpreting shapes, have altered depth perception, and
experience difficulty in judging speed.

Never ride with an impaired driver. If intervention is not working, call a cab.

In 2005 in the U.S., 16,885 people died in alcohol-related crashes. That's one every 31
minutes or an average of 46 per day.

Drug-impaired Driving
Page 1 of 8
Introduction
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.

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-impaired Drivers

Drug-impaired Driving
Page 2 of 8
 Types 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.

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

Drug-impaired Driving
Page 3 of 8

Pharmacological 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.

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 Driving
Page 4 of 8

Dangers 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.

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.

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 Driving
Page 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.

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): Prescription for fatigue Dizziness, hallucinations,
Benzedrine, Dexedrine and mild depression hyperactivity, decreased ability to
concentrate, headaches
Painkillers - Analgesics: Aspirin, Over-the-counter Bleeding in stomach and intestines
Excedrin
Antibiotics - For infection: Penicillin Prescription for Nausea
infection
Allergy and Cold Pills - Prescription and over- Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion,
Antihistamines: Benadryl, the-counter inattention
Dramamine
Sedatives - Barbiturates: Seconal, Prescription for Drowsiness, impaired judgment,
Nembutal insomnia, high blood impaired reflexes
pressure, epilepsy
Anti-anxiety - Benzodiazepines: Prescription for mild Blurred vision, drowsiness, fatigue
Valium anxiety
Tranquilizers - Librium, Valium Prescription for severe Blurred vision, drowsiness, fatigue,
anxiety and emotional faintness, vomiting, tremors,
problems dizziness
Narcotics - Cough syrup and Prescription for pain, Nausea, blurred vision, drowsiness,
painkillers: Morphine, Codeine, cough suppressant impaired concentration
Demerol, Tylenol with Codeine and insomnia
Alcohol - Beer, wine, liquor Regulated sales, age Impaired judgment, concentration
restrictions and reasoning, nausea, blurred
vision, drowsiness
Marijuana and Hashish Illegal Distorted depth perception,
impaired coordination, depression,
panic, fear, hallucination
Hallucinogens - LSD, PCP, Illegal Impaired senses, hallucination,
mescaline panic, depression
Stimulants: Cocaine: crack, crank, Illegal Dizziness, impaired alertness,
"ice" freebase hallucinations, hyperactivity,
decreased ability to concentrate,
headaches
Drug-impaired Driving
Page 8 of 8

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

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.
Your ability to focus and respond is impaired quickly. Sedatives are a type of depressant.

Stimulants "stimulate" or speed-up the central nervous system. They increase heart rate
and generate a false sense of alertness and well being. They excite and accelerate the
central nervous system. Moderate amounts may produce blurred vision, hallucinations
and paranoia.

Narcotics are strong depressants that are often

prescribed for severe pain. They shut down the central
nervous system. They can produce a wide variety
of side effects including nausea, dizziness and vomiting.
Drivers also may experience slowed reaction time
and drowsiness.

Hallucinogens alter the mind. They change the way

the mind perceives, processes information, and
reacts.

Combining different drugs and alcohol 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. Never
combine drugs and use legal drugs only as recommended.

Watch for indications that other drivers might be impaired:

 Erratic changes in speed

 Weaving from side to side
 Traveling in the wrong lane
 Running stop signs and lights

Distance yourself from the impaired driver by increasing the amount of space between
you and the other vehicle.