Physical and Mental Impairments

Alabama Course of Study #14Explain how alcohol and other drugs

affect driving ability.

Drugs

Prescription and Non-prescription drugs can affect driving ability.

TYPES OF DRUGSOVER THE COUNTER

Drugs that can be purchased legally without a doctor’s prescription.

PRESCRIPTION Prescribed by a doctor.

DEPRESSANTSSlow down or depress the central nervous system.

TYPES OF DRUGS

STIMULANTSpeed up, or stimulate the central nervous system.

HALLUCINOGENSIllegal. They are mind altering drugs. They change the way you think, see and act. Ex. Marijuana, LSD, PCP.

NARCOTICSStrong depressant. Can cause stupor, coma and death.

Affect Drugs have on Driving Ability

• Some legal (prescription) and illegal (nonprescription) drugs affect a persons ability to drive.

• The determining factor of the affects drugs will have depend mainly on ones body condition. Ex: The size of a person

• Once one understand the affects that drugs have on driving one can take steps to avoid putting themselves at risk.

Prescription Drugs

• Prescription Drugs can be purchased only at a pharmacy or drugstore. (Only purchased if a doctor writes a prescription or prescribes them for you).

• Prescription Drugs can be very dangerous if the labels are not read closely and only take the amount recommended.

• Most Prescription drugs have driving warnings on them.

Types of Drugs that effect driving ability

Over the Counter Drugs

• Over the counter drugs can be purchased in local stores such as grocery stores and local pharmacies. Ex. Cold medicine, sinus pills, etc.

• Some over the counter drugs cause drowsiness. This is very important because some instruct one not to drive after taking this type of drug.

• The following are illegal drugs that can have a terrible affect on driving.

• Depressants can be dangerous while driving because that can slow ones reflexes down as well as coordination.

• Coffee and most soft drinks are stimulants.• Powerful stimulants such as cocaine and

amphetamines, were once prescribed by doctors, but today their hazards are recognized by the medical profession.

• Stimulants give off false feeling of alertness and well being. This can be very detrimental to someone behind the wheel. It can cause a driver to take dangerous risk.

Synergistic Effect of Alcohol and Drugs• Synergism- is the interaction of one drug with

another to enhance the effect of one or both. • Its important to note that when someone mixes

drugs that the effect will multiply in many cases.• Drugs, mixed with alcohol, will multiply how they

affect physical movement and coordination which are important in driving.

Example: If a person drinks alcohol and takes a depressant, the combination could produce an effect that is greater than the individual effects of either when taken alone.

Alabama Driving Under the Influence

(DUI) Law

Driving Under the Influence• Driving Under Influence (DUI)- driving under

the influence of anything that alters our minds and our reflexes.

DUI is determined by a persons BAC:• Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)- formula

to determine the amount of alcohol in your system.

• 3 legal test– 1. Breathe (most common)– 2. Blood (most accurate) – 3. Urine (seldom used)

Driving while under the Influence

• 50% of all FATAL crashes involve drivers who have been drinking.

• Unlawful for any of the following persons to operate a vehicle:– A person who is under the influence of alcohol or

drugs. – A person who is under the influence of a drug to a

degree which renders him incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle.

More on DUI

• School bus and daycare drivers whose blood alcohol content is .02 percent or more are considered legally drunk.

• A DUI conviction will add 6 points to your license.

Legal Levels of Intoxication

• Minors– Zero tolerance – BAL 0f .02

• Adults– BAL of .05 is legally impaired– BAL of .08 is legally drunk in Alabama

Penalty for 1st conviction

• 1st conviction

– Fine $600 to $2,100

– Up to one year in jail or both fine and imprisonment

– Driver license suspended for 90 days.

Penalty for 2nd Conviction

• 2nd Conviction in five years

– Fine ranges from $1,110 to $5,100– Jail sentence of up to one year or both fine and jail

time.– Mandatory jail time of 48 hours or 20 days

community service. – One year revocation of driver license

Penalty for 3rd Conviction

• 3rd Conviction– Fine ranges from $2,100 to $10,100

– Up to one year in jail with a mandatory minimum of 60 days in jail.

– Driver license revoked for three years.

4th Conviction

• 4th conviction– Class C Felony

– Fine ranges for $4,100 to $10,100

– One year and a day up to 10 years in jail mandatory

– Revocation of driver license for five years.

Alcohol Terms

• Actual physical control- to have the ability to move a vehicle of which you have actual control. i.e. keys in control and can start the vehicle.

• Implied Consent- any license driver can’t legally refuse to be tested for alcohol or drug use while behind the wheel or in actual physical control.

More Alcohol Terms

Absorption- how fast alcohol enters a person’s blood stream from the time they consume it until it begins to effect any of their abilities.

Binge Drinking- Drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. This is how most teens drink.

Depressant-any mind altering substance that puts the brain to sleep. To numb the sense.

More Terms

• Impaired- Although not “legally drunk”, a persons abilities are effected enough to make them an unsafe driver.

• Oxidation- The chemical process in the liver that removes alcohol from the body at a rate of about 1 ounce or ¾ of a standard legal drink.

• Proof- alcohol content is measured by proof.

Alcohol Facts

Alcohol is a depressant, not a stimulant Consuming alcohol causes drowsiness blurred

vision, and slowed reflexes. Consuming alcohol affects judgment and

coordination. Impairment can occur before legal

intoxication is attained. Alcohol related crashes have killed more

people than all the U.S. soldiers killed in war.

Alcohol, Teens and Driving • Alcohol slows down bodily functions• Alcohol impairs judgment• Alcohol creates a sense fearlessness and

immortality• Teens are usually less experienced drivers• Teens are inexperienced consumers of alcohol• Teens are more likely to use illegal drugs while

drinking• Teens have a false sense of immortality

EmEmo

• Emotions have a profound effect on behavior in general and driving in particular

• Emotions have both mental and physical responses

• Emotions affect the part of the brain that controls thought, reason and judgment

• Emotions are temporary reactions that can become habitual

EMOTIONS AND DRIVING

Don’t let emotions affect your driving performance

• Put aside problems which tend to distract attention from the driving task.

• Wait until the emotions subside to a safe level before driving.

• Select an alternative means of travel when under emotional distress. Ex. Bus, cab, friend

• Emotions that affect driving: sadness, anger, excitement, etc.

ROAD RAGEROAD RAGE--Emotional Outbursts While Driving

--Can Be Caused By Anything, Common Reasons Include:

Cutting someone off in trafficTailgating Loud MusicObscene Gestures

• Be courteous of other drivers• Don’t exchange words or hand gestures with

other offensive drivers• Don’t tailgate• Never confront another driver• If you are being followed by a someone who is

‘Raging’ drive to a police or fire station.

To Prevent Road Rage

Short Term Impairments• There are physical ailments that are short-term that

can affect driving ability:– Fatigue comes from lack of sleep. It dulls the mind,

lengthens decision-making time and slows nerve and muscular responses. Rest is the only remedy. Don’t use “pep pills”.

– Temporary illnesses and injuries such as a stiff neck, arthritis, or bursitis can affect the body’s ability to move. Also, colds, broken bones, temporary hearing loss or vision problems present driving hazards. When suffering from a temporary illness avoid driving, choose lightly traveled routes, use alternative means of travel.