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Drunk Driving and Drug Use

According to recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes non-fatally injure someone every two minutes and kill someone every 31 minutes. Drugs other than alcohol, such as cocaine and marijuana, are involved in about 18% of motor vehicle driver deaths. So what can you do about it?

Misconceptions about Alcohol

• Coffee does not sober up an intoxicated person, nor cold showers, does strenuous exercise, or fresh air. Food does not soak up alcohol. The only thing that works is time, and it takes an hour to eliminate one drink's worth of alcohol.
• A glass of wine, a bottle of beer, or a shot of hard liquor all have the same amount of alcohol. «Light» beer has the same amount of alcohol as regular beer.
• Women typically do not process alcohol as well as men, due to lesser weight and more limited production of the breakdown enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase.
• It takes fewer drinks than most people think to impair driving or to put them at legal risk. Three drinks over a couple of hours is enough to put most people over the legal limit.

The Affect of Alcohol
We all know alcohol can slow reaction time and make you loud, obnoxious, or affectionate. But here’s an example of the effects alcohol has on just one of your vital senses, your eyes:

• Focus Slows your eyes’ability to focus back and forth from objects near and far.
• Coordination Impairs the eye’s ability to work together, causing double vision.
• Muscle control Relaxes the fine muscle control of your eyes, blurring vision.
• Distance Judgment Reduces the ability to judge distance accurately.
• Night vision Limits the eye’s ability to see in low light.
• Peripheral vision Reduces the ability to perceive things from the side.
• Colors Impedes the ability to distinguish colors.

Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drugs
In addition to illegal drugs and alcohol, many perfectly legal substances can also affect your driving. Common over-the-counter drugs, prescriptions, and medications can do. Review the labels on any prescription drugs you use for allergies, chronic diseases, acne, sinus problems, and other conditions. Be especially wary about drugs prescribed to combat depression and alter moods.

Over-the-counter drugs such as cough syrups, antihistamines, and cold medications can cause drowsiness. A label warning about not operating heavy machinery while taking the medication does not just apply to bulldozers and front-end loaders. If you must use an antihistamine make sure it’s a non-drowsy formulation.

Designated Drivers
Do have a designated driver when you go out for dinner and drinks to protect yourself. Be aware of the most dangerous times and days when drinkers are on the roads (Fridays after 4:00 p.m., weekend evenings after 10:00 p.m. and any day after midnight).

The Consequences of Drinking and Drug Use and Driving
In addition to the safety issues, realize that in the Internet Age, all public records are fair game, and background checks are more common than ever before. DUI or drug violations will affect your ability to get into schools, obtain jobs, hold public office, volunteer positions, or coach your kid’s team.

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