Posts Tagged ‘Blood Alcohol Content’
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Posted on Mar 10, 2010
Don’t even think about drinking and getting behind the wheel of your vehicle. Test show that impairment starts long before you reach the blood alcohol content level necessary to be charged with drunken driving.
Legal Limit
In the U.S., the legal limit for drunk driving is a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .08. A 120 lb. woman might reach a .08 BAC level after only two drinks and a 180 lb. man may be at .08 after only four drinks.
A “drink” is either one shot of liquor, a five ounce glass of wine or one beer, all of which contain the same amount of alcohol. At a .08 BAC level, drivers are so impaired that they are 11 times more likely to have a single-vehicle crash than drivers with no alcohol in their system. But 25 years of research has shown that some impairment begins for both men and women even after one drink.
.02 BAC Level
At the .02 blood alcohol concentration level, experiments have demonstrated that people exhibit some loss of judgment, begin to relax and “feel good”. But tests have also shown that drivers at the .02 level experience a decline in visual function, affecting their ability to track a moving object and experience a decline in the ability to perform two tasks at the same time. This level may not register on a breathalyzer test and will not be noticed with a field sobriety test.
These changes may be very subtle and barely noticeable to the person who has had only one drink, but in an emergency situation while behind the wheel of a vehicle, they could cause the driver to react (or not react) as they would without having had a drink.
.05 BAC Level
At the .05 BAC level, people begin to exhibit exaggerated behavior, experience loss of small-muscle control — such as being able to focus their eyes quickly — have impaired judgment, lowered alertness and a release of inhibition. If someone with a BAC level of .05 gets behind the wheel, they would be operating the vehicle with reduce coordination, a further diminished ability to track moving objects, more difficulty in steering and a markedly reduced response in emergency situations.
.08 BAC Level
When someone drinking is approaching the borderline of legal driving while intoxicated levels studies show that they have poor muscle coordination (affecting their balance, speech, vision, reaction time and hearing), find it more difficult to detect danger, and exhibit impaired judgment, self-control, reasoning ability and memory. A driver with a BAC of .08 will find it more difficult to concentrate, judge the speed of the vehicle, experience reduced information processing capability and exhibit impaired perception.
Slower Reaction Time
For the person who is drinking, these impairments may be hardly noticeable, but the slow reaction times they produce can prove fatal in an emergency driving situation. That’s why it is not a good idea to drive no matter how much or little you have had to drink.
For this reason, in some states, drivers can be arrested for DWI - Driving While Impaired even if their blood alcohol concentration is lower than the legal limit, if the law enforcement officer believes there is probable cause based on the behavior and reactions of the driver.
It is just not wise to drink and drive at any level!
Blood Alcohol Content, Drunk DrivingNo Comments »BAC Blood Alcohol Content Drunk Driving Impaired Driving
Posted on Nov 12, 2009
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Driving under the influence of alcohol is an issue of serious concern. With the increase in the percentage of drunken driving accidents, addressing drivers who drive their vehicle under influence of alcohol has become serious issue.
Penalties for Drunk Driving
Imposing penalties on those individuals who engage in drinking and driving is to curb their drinking and driving habit. Advisory notes and warnings were not effective in stopping the incidence of DWI accidents and mishaps. Efforts to create awareness among public especially among the drinking population about the dangers and risks involved in drinking and driving do not have a wide reach.
It is only by punishing those who exhibit irresponsibility and carelessness can the menace of Drunk Driving be curtailed seriously. The regulations, penalties and punishments prescribed for DWI convicts have been tabled for your reference and clarity.
| S.No |
Nature of Crime |
Regulation/Regulatory Bodies |
Consequence/Penalty |
| 1 |
DUI/DWI Offense |
Voluntary Organizations like MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving ) |
Formulation of new DUI Laws since its inception from 1980 |
| 2 |
Underage Drinking |
Legal Drinking Age Regulation |
The legal age for drinking is 21 and the same has been adopted in all the states. Underage drivers are convicted under DWI charges if they are found violating Zero Tolerance Tests |
| 3 |
Refusing to take FST (Field Sobriety Tests) |
Administration License Revocation Law |
Under this law the enforcement officers have power to suspend the driving license of those individuals who refuse to cooperate for on the spot blood and breathe test. |
| 4 |
Driving under Intoxication |
Blood Alcohol Content Test |
Adults testing more than .08 are convicted under DWI charges in almost all the states. Zero Tolerance Test is prescribed for drivers below the age of 21, where they are convicted for DWI offence even if a trace of alcohol is found in their body |
| 5 |
Repeat Offense |
Habitual Violators Law |
Habitual Violators law is imposed on those DWI offenders who have violated the DWI law more than 3 times. There violation is treated as felony, wherein they stand to loose their right to vote and loose their driving license for a long period of time. |
| 6 |
DUI Offense/ DWI Conviction |
Assessment interviews and DUI School and Education |
While the driving license is revoked under Administrative License Revocation law by the enforcement officials, reinstating the same requires the accused to pass through alcohol assessment tests and DUI School and Education |
| 7 |
Repeat DUI/DWI Offense |
Alcoholic Assessment, Medical Treatment |
The medical treatment involves alcohol assessment, residential treatment program, counseling as prescribed by the counselor |
| 8 |
DWI Conviction (Reinstating Suspended License) |
Expensive and Additional Insurance Coverage |
In order to reinstate the suspended driving license, the insurance company should certify the status of the insurance policy to the licensing authority through SR-22, which will subsequently result in increased premiums and additional insurance requirement |
| 9 |
DUI/DWI Charges |
Drunk Driver Accountability |
Out of the many policies to control intoxicated driving menace, those drivers accused of drinking and driving are made to come face to face with the victims of DWI accidents who will explain their sufferings and loss to the accused. The counselors believe such practices will help violators learn their lessons for their life |
| 10 |
DUI/DWI Offences |
DUI / DWI Law |
Larger fines, penalties and imprisonments depending upon the violations and their frequency |
It is easy to pass a law and impose punishments, what is difficult is to drive the issue clearly in the minds of people who repeatedly violate law and endanger both their lives and the lives of all others on road. So friends, hope this article was as effective as informative. Please write to us a changing incident that helped you stop a drinking and driving.
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DWI Laws, Drunk DrivingNo Comments »BAC Blood Alcohol Content Drunk Driving Penalties DUI Offence DWI conviction DWI Law Field Sobriety Tests MADD Underage Drinking
Posted on Nov 02, 2009
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Drunk driving can be compared to blind rhinoceros on steroids that has just escaped from its cage at a zoo. Drunk driving accounts for more than 50% of accidents and deaths on our roads. Though not all drunken driving cases lead to the death, they however have prolonged consequences that after the fact, drunk drivers are unable to equate to the feeling they had while they were getting drunk.
After a major drunk driving accident, life seems to come to a halt. Many drunk driving victims’ lives are changed forever. Many circumstances may arise out of a single incident of drunk driving including:
- Drunk drivers may end up being prosecuted by the state for elevated alcohol blood content (BAC)
- may be imprisoned for causing injury or death to other individuals as a result of their drunken state
- may end up themselves victims of serious injury
All three consequences inflict serious financial and emotional strain on both the offender and the victims. It may also result in loss of mobility, income source, friends and freedom.
Organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) have long advocated a series of measures that would reach deep into the pockets and minds of individuals who insist on driving while intoxicated. One of their philosophies is that adults’ freedom to drink responsibly should be sacrificed if it opens the possibility of removing one drunk driver from the streets. This notion is gaining traction such as having divorcing parents sign a legal document prohibiting alcohol consumption before driving their children. Any failure to do so would result in loss of custody, jail time, or prevention of visitation.
How to Prevent Drunk Driving
We can prevent drunk driving in many ways. Some of them are self-dependent while others depend on the support of others.
- Be your best friend: Always know your limit. There is one saying that when the ugly person in the bar starts looking pretty it is time to go. Never consume alcohol above what only you know are your limits. Never mind what your peers may say, as they are only your true friend if they want what is best for you.
- Always have a designated driver: If you go out as a group, choose someone to be the designated driver. This individual should not be allowed to consume any alcohol and be prepared to drive every one home.
- Be a responsible Host: Never allow your guests to leave on their own driving while intoxicated. You can easily call a cab, take away their car keys, or just simply put them up to cool off until they become sober.
- Advocate for Tougher Laws against DUI: The level of grief brought on because of drunk driving warrants stiff penalties for drunk drivers. Most individuals respond only to pressure in the pockets or on their freedom.
- Report a Drunk Driver: If a drunk driver is refusing to take advice about being drunk, or just simply quit drinking, then it is time for the public to intervene. Call in your local law enforcement that will ensure their safe passage home without causing any harm to themselves and others.
- Seek Help: If you recognize that you are a persistent teenage drunk driver, seek professional advice and counseling from your local substance abuse center. These individuals are trained in handling cases of compulsive drinking and emotional disorders and are always willing to help you get over your addiction.
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Drunk Driving, MADDNo Comments »BAC Blood Alcohol Content Drunk Driver Drunk Driving DUI MADD
