Archive for July, 2009

Alcohol Impaired Driving

Irresponsible drinking habits are on the rise inspite of strict regulations and severe punishments imposed on those causing serious problems in the society. Drinking becomes a serious problem when it is consumed beyond limits and considering the fact that an individual is not in his or her senses when drunk, they pose a greater threat involving themselves in activities like driving a vehicle.

Drunk driving is an offense under the driving laws of the state. The accused is arrested under DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) or DUI (Driving under Influence) offense where the Field Sobriety Tests such as Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Test, Zero Tolerance Test, and Breathalyzer reveal that the individual has crossed the legal limits permitted.

In what ways Alcohol Impaired Driving a Hazard to Everyone?

Giving the issue of alcohol impaired driving a result of alcohol abuse; on a serious thought we understand that these individuals not only put their life at stake but also the life of others on road. Even after strict punishments are being imposed on irresponsible driving and drinking habits, people hardly care about the aftermath of such incidents and the long lasting impact it is likely to carry for their lifetime.

Alcohol abuse in the first place puts the individual in a precarious condition in which he will not be in a position to handle him leave alone managing a vehicle. There is absolutely no safety assured both for the driver and for all passersby on road. A drunkard person fails to follow the traffic rules as he is not acting under his senses. Such DWI or DUI accidents are at its peak especially during weekends when people generally tend to relax and enjoy and also during vacations and festival celebrations. Sensing the danger authorities have extra policing and sign boards on during that of the year when people tend to act crazy.

Statistics reveals that alcohol impaired driving is one of the top three reasons killing people in road accidents. In order to control teenage drinking and driving, underage drinking, drinking is prohibited for individuals below the age of 21 in most of the states in the US. The minimum age for drinking varies from state to state. Zero Tolerance is checked for drivers below the specified age limit under the Zero Tolerance Law and even the slightest trace of alcohol shown in there Blood Alcohol Content test, they are convicted under DWI offence. This is indeed a serious step towards alcohol abuse. The permitted Blood Alcohol Content level is .08.

Coming to the facts of impaired or drunk driving close to 17,000 people have died due to impaired driving in 2006. It is also believed that 1 in every 3 people addicted to alcohol will be affected because of impaired driving in their life time. We all counts days of our life, but alcoholics do not seem to have the patience of counting days. Every 31 minutes one person dies due to alcohol related crash. Out of the 5000 deaths each year of individuals who are under 21 years of age due to underage drinking, 1900 is due to vehicular crashes. In the year 2007, nearly 140,000 people where arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and narcotics.

Do you have an experience to share?

Drunk Driving

Drunken driving menace has grown over the years inspite of growing DWI legislations and regulations to curtail the very act of drinking while driving. The most threatening ones are underage drinking, teenage drunk driving and the mother of all the alcohol abuse.

People found drinking and driving are subjected to a number of Field Sobriety Tests such as Breathalyzer, Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) and certain other on the spot test and convicted under DWI offense under the driving laws of the state once they are found crossing permissible legal limits.

With Zero Tolerance Test and Legal Minimum Drinking Age regulations, underage drinking and teenage drinking and driving is kept under control. But again we cannot be sure about how long such regulations stand effective.

While it is the duty of the legal system and police to shoulder the responsibility of maintaining law and order in the country, nothing is possible without people’s cooperation and assistance. Unless we help them in pointing out the danger they can hardly help us.

Your Action can Help Police Stop Drunken Driving

An action helping the police get rid of drinking and driving menace is one great thing that can happen provided we individuals understand the meaning and importance of it. It is practically not possible for the law enforcement officials to be everywhere to book people under DWI offense. It is only with the help of responsible and observant drivers and pedestrians who can actually help make roads safe for everyone.

The first thing that you should be noting down is the phone number you should be calling to inform about the intoxicated driving. Call 911 if you happen to see some one weaving on road, swerving, braking abruptly, appears to be heavily intoxicated, stopping without reason on a traffic lane, crossing traffic all of a sudden, responding very slowly to traffic signals, conducting the vehicle rapidly, drifting away, driving on a route other than the designated one, inconsistency in signaling without proper response, taking an unreasonably wide turn, rash driving almost hitting an object or vehicle, taking illegal turns on road.

When you call the enforcement officials make sure you inform them about the whereabouts of the location you are calling from, the direction of your travel, vehicle description and the driving license number on the plate if is possible. Your duty stops in informing the officials and you are no way expected to interfere with the driver or stop him whatsoever. Make sure you do not get into the scene provided you are a victim of any mishap.

Consequences of Drinking and Driving – DWI Offense

Driving laws of the state make it clear that if a person is found driving the vehicle under intoxication and tests reveal intoxication beyond the legally permitted limits then he will be convicted under DWI offense under the DWI laws of the state for alcohol abuse and drunk driving. Depending upon the extent of damage caused and level of intoxication revealed through BAC and other tests the punishment is determined which involves fine, imprisonment and alcohol treatment programs.

Will you lend your helping hand in saving the life of atleast one person? Do you think it will help?

Drinking Facts – Effects of Alcohol on Men and Women

It is true that alcohol has a number of reactions on people who consume it, but again the effects of alcohol are completely different when it comes to the gender classification. It is a drinking fact that men and women are unequal where the question of consumption of alcohol and consequent effects are concerned.

Answering the question as to why women react more to alcohol and its effects, the facts are jotted down for your reference

• Gastric or stomach enzyme metabolizes or breaks down alcohol before it could enter the blood stream. Women have less of such enzyme which makes them absorb 30% more of alcohol into their blood when compared to men of same weight and size, drinking same quantity of alcohol.
• Women normally tend to have more body fat than men. It leaves high concentration of alcohol in the blood stream as fat cannot absorb alcohol.

• Considering the nature of women, that they are normally shorter and weigh lighter than men, they also tend to absorb more concentrated alcohol into their blood. Women tend to react the same way after one drink, as men would do say after two drinks.
• It is important to eat your food while consuming alcohol. When women tend to skip their food or eat very little food, they are likely to face a compounding effect of alcohol consumption.
• There are chances of increased impact of alcohol, when women undergo hormonal changes during their menstrual cycle.
• Hence if women tend to fight for a equal status in their alcohol consumption, I am sure, it is only going to harm them.

Points to Remember

I read an interesting article on Drinking Facts about men and women was very helpful in referring contents for this article.

Here are a few tips which will help you get away with the troubles of alcohol consumption.

• When you are about to consuming alcohol ensure you sip your drinks than gulping them down. Not only do you increase the risk of unfavorable reactions you also do not get to enjoy their taste and flavor.
• Consume alcohol only when you deem it necessary, not because someone is forcing you.
• It is important that you know your limit on consumption of alcohol. You will get a better and a safe idea when you try it at home with someone to help you around.
• You should have food while consuming alcohol. Especially high protein food like meat, peanuts and cheese, helps in slowing down the absorption of alcohol in your body.
• It is important that you alternate your drinks every now then with alcohol and non alcoholic drinks. It always helps you keep your blood alcohol content low.
• Stay active while consuming alcohol, by which you not only consume less, you, will also be aware of the effects of alcohol on your body.
• You should be able to space your drinks so that it does not become unmanageable. It is important here that you do not consume unfamiliar drinks like zombies whose alcohol content is not determinable.

Well, it is easier to advice than following it. But again, you also need advices to follow. Here we have tried a few; do add on if you have some more information on this.