BAC Factors

BAC & factorsTypes of drinks

Different weightsMale VS Female

5 reasons people choose to drink

• Peer pressure

• Parents or siblings drink

• Have a good time

• Relieve stress/anxiety

• Our culture accepts

& encourages it

At what age is Drinking & Driving Legal???

• Legal limit VA over 21 = .08

• Teens = .02 (zero tolerance)

• Most DUI’s are right at the legal limit, not drunk

• Social drinkers

NEVER!

Blood Alcohol Concentration FactorsBlood Alcohol Concentration Factors

LiquorLiquor

BeerBeer

• Weight (blood volume)Weight (blood volume)

• Time Spent DrinkingTime Spent Drinking

• GenderGender

• FoodFood

• Alcohol Content and Alcohol Content and Size of DrinkSize of Drink

WineWine

BAC is the BAC is the mathematical mathematical ratio of the percentage of ratio of the percentage of alcoholalcohol in the in the blood streamblood stream..

Factors affecting BACFactors affecting BAC

100 proof = 50% alcohol

Proof = Half

.042 % - 12 oz. Beer = .50 oz

.045 % - 16 oz. Beer = .72 oz

.035 % - 12 oz. Lt Beer = .42 oz

80 proof – 1 oz. Whiskey = .40 oz.

80 proof – 1.5 oz. Whiskey = .60 oz.

.12 % - 5 oz. Wine = .60 oz.

.077 % - 12 oz Malt Liquor = .92 oz.

.051 % - 12 oz. Wine Cooler = .61 oz.

Are all alcoholic drinks the same?

NO, but similar

Are They The Same Are They The Same ??

LiquorLiquor

• BeerBeer

• Whiskey Whiskey

• WineWine

• CoolerCooler

• MargaritaMargarita

T – 7.7BeerBeer

WineWine

Myth

A “DRINK” is:

•a 12-ounce beer,

•a 4- to 6-ounce glass of wine, or

•a shot of liquor.

Fact

A “DRINK” is ½ an ounce of alcohol.

What two factors are responsible for the differences in alcohol

content?

• The size of the drink

• Percentage of alcohol in the drink

200 LBS vs. 150 LBS Men & Women

• 22oz-200 lb Male

• 18oz-200 lb Female

• 17oz-150 lb Male

• 13oz- 150 lb Female

BAC FactorsBAC Factors

WeightWeight **Heavier people have more blood **Heavier people have more blood and other body fluids to dilute and other body fluids to dilute alcohol consumed.alcohol consumed.

0.04 0.08

220 lbs 110 lbs

****Their BAC level will be lower Their BAC level will be lower than the BAC of a smaller than the BAC of a smaller person who drank the same person who drank the same volume of alcohol.volume of alcohol.

GenderGender Women process alcohol at a slower rate than men. This is because they usually weigh less and produce less of the enzyme dehydrogenase needed by the liver to break down alcohol.

**Men also have a higher percentage of body Men also have a higher percentage of body fluids which dilutes the alcohol.fluids which dilutes the alcohol.

Time Spent DrinkingTime Spent Drinking

On average, a person’s BAC is On average, a person’s BAC is oxidizedoxidized at a at a rate of rate of 0.015 per hour0.015 per hour90% of the alcohol detoxified is oxidized (burned up) by the liver10% is eliminated in breath, urine, and sweat

NOTE: Alcohol is toxic to the liver and brain. Hence, the term intoxication denotes the toxic effect alcohol has on these organs.

FoodFood•Food in your stomach does very little to reduce the effect alcohol has on the brain and liver.

•However, food coats the lining of the stomach and slows (some) absorption into the blood stream.

Note: When alcohol is mixed with carbonated beverages the absorption rate is faster because gases are absorbed faster than liquids.

Elimination RateElimination Rate

MythMythThe average person can tolerate one drink per The average person can tolerate one drink per hour without substantial impairment.hour without substantial impairment.

Facts

•Sobriety returns ONLY with Sobriety returns ONLY with time.time.•Alcohol is eliminated at approximately .015 BAC Alcohol is eliminated at approximately .015 BAC per hour.per hour.

Titanic PrincipleTitanic Principle

If you take in more than your system can pump If you take in more than your system can pump out, sooner or later you’ll sink!out, sooner or later you’ll sink!

Elimination of AlcoholElimination of Alcohol

ELIMINATION PROCESSELIMINATION PROCESS

An adult male with normal liver function eliminates

BreathUrineSweat} 10% LIVER 90%

about 0.015 BAC per hour. Therefore: BAC of 0.05 = 3.5 hours for removal

BAC of 0.07 = 5.0 hours for removal

BAC of 0.10 = 7.0 hours for removal

BAC of 0.15 = 10.0 hours for removal

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1

HRS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Elimination RateElimination Rate

Stops Drinking at 12:30amStops Drinking at 12:30am

.16 = BAC Peak at 1 am.16 = BAC Peak at 1 am Still legally INTOXICATEDStill legally INTOXICATED (.08) at 6 am(.08) at 6 am

Still Still IMPAIREDIMPAIRED (.05) at (.05) at 9:30AM9:30AM

ABSORPTIONABSORPTION ELIMINATIONELIMINATION

BACBAC

Tolerance

• Consume more of a drug to reach a given effect. Or body to eliminate the drug faster.– Many drinkers develop an ability to mask the Many drinkers develop an ability to mask the

effects alcohol has on their brain and body.effects alcohol has on their brain and body.

– This ability, however, has NO affect on their This ability, however, has NO affect on their intoxication level.intoxication level.

Mood & Alcohol

One of two things:• Existing mood intensifies (upset to angry)

• Completely alters mood (happy to mad)

Alcohol affects the heart:

• Reduces contractibility

• Increased blood pressure

• Congestive heart failure

Alcohol affects the stomach

• Irritates the lining of the stomach• Increases acidity• Causes ulcers

Alcohol affects the Brain:

• Kills brain cells

• Causes memory loss

Attention

• Reduced ability to comprehend several sources of info at the same time (multi-task)

• Significant for driving, especially at night

Memory

• Reduced ability to store and retain info with BAC’s as low as .03.

• Excessive use causes Blackouts

Emotions

• Emotional control is diminished• Honesty• Crying• Loving (I love you, man!)

Aggression• Aggressive behavior

is enhanced. Especially when combined with competition

• Deadly when combined with road rage.

• I bet you cant…

Alcohol & Other Drugs

• Synergistic effect• Chemical reaction that produces much greater

effect than one drug alone.• Can even cause death

BAC Levels Affect the BrainBAC Levels Affect the Brain

.01 - .05

Reduces Inhibitions

Impairs Judgment

Gives a False Sense of Confidence

Weakens Willpower

.05 - .10

Slows Reaction Time

Reduces Coordination and Balance

Affects All Driving Skills

.10 - .20

Slurred Speech

Blurred Vision

Impaired Judgment, Memory and Self-Control

.20 - .35

Physical Abilities Become Severely Impaired

Mental Confusion

Unconsciousness, Blackouts or Stupor are Common

.35 - higher

Subnormal Temperature

Little or No Reflexes

Breathing May Stop

DEATH

•NOTE: “Chugging” large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time can result in respiratory paralysis and death.

How does alcohol affect vision?

• Eye Focus – Delayed ability to change focus close to far, the faster the worse.

• Double Vision – impairs ability of eyes to work together. Closing eye would help, but no peripheral vision.

• Distance – Can’t do it accurately.• Side Vision – As alcohol increases, side vision

decreases.• Night Vision – Eyes dilate. Can’t control amount

of light entering the eyes—intensifies glare.

BAC’s BAC form .015-.049

produce risk taking .03 diminish multi-

tasking 16-19 .015 is 2.5

times more likely to be killed

16-19 .08 40 times more likely to be killed

Drugs and DrivingDrugs and Driving

PerceptionPerception

JudgmentJudgment

CoordinationCoordination

VisionVision

MoodMood

Marijuana and DrivingMarijuana and Driving

MarijuanaMarijuana

The active ingredient THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) impairs

memory and learningperception (sight, sound, time,

touch)problem-solving abilitymotor coordinationtracking abilityconcentration

Other Types of Drugs and DrivingOther Types of Drugs and Driving Over the CounterOver the Counter Medications That Affect Driving Ability Medications That Affect Driving Ability

• TranquilizersTranquilizers• StimulantsStimulants• NarcoticsNarcotics • Blood PressureBlood Pressure• InsulinInsulin

Prescription Prescription MedicationsMedications

•Antihistamines

•Cold Medications

DUI forDUI for::

Alcohol

Illegal drugs

Prescription medication

OTC medications

DUIDUI• Criminal offense

(Jail), not traffic

At arrest you will:

• Lose license for one week (7 days)

• Spend the night in jail

• Post bail

Fatigue:Fatigue: The Body’s “Downtime”

Follows a Period of:

• Extended mental activity

• Extended physical activity

Characterized by:

• Reduced capacity for work

• Reduced efficiency of brain function

Definition of FatigueDefinition of Fatigue

Examples of FatigueExamples of Fatigue

• Not enough sleep—several days.

• Burnt out• SAT/ACT test• AP tests.

Circadian RhythmCircadian Rhythm

• Body’s natural “down time”

• 1-5 PM

• Normal bedtime—Night time

Delaying Fatigue OnsetDelaying Fatigue Onset

AvoidAvoid Long Drives Long Drives

AvoidAvoid Leaning Forward or Backward Leaning Forward or Backward

Keep Your Eyes MovingKeep Your Eyes Moving

Get Plenty of Fresh AirGet Plenty of Fresh Air

Three Types of Aggressive DriversThree Types of Aggressive Drivers

• complainingcomplaining• rushingrushing• competingcompeting• resistingresisting

• yelling yelling • cussingcussing• staring staring • honkinghonking• insultinginsulting

• cutting offcutting off• blocking blocking • chasingchasing• fightingfighting• shootingshooting

Quiet Road-Rage:Quiet Road-Rage: Verbal Road-Rage:Verbal Road-Rage: Epic Road-Rage:Epic Road-Rage:

AAAAAGHH!!!AAAAAGHH!!!

YOU’RE TOO YOU’RE TOO SLOW~SLOW~ MOVE!!!MOVE!!!

What’s the hold up!!!What’s the hold up!!!

Come on, HURRY UPCome on, HURRY UP

LET’S GO!!!LET’S GO!!!

Aggressive Driving/Road RageAggressive Driving/Road Rage

Most Most CrashesCrashes are NOTare NOT AccidentsAccidents•They are often the result of drivers whoThey are often the result of drivers who

•speed;speed;

•tailgate;tailgate;

•run red lights;run red lights;

•weave in and out of traffic; orweave in and out of traffic; or

•vent frustrations or emotions in the vent frustrations or emotions in the vehicle.vehicle.

Signs of an Aggressive DriverSigns of an Aggressive Driver

• Tailgating to pressure a driver to go faster or get out Tailgating to pressure a driver to go faster or get out

of the wayof the way

• Flashing lights to signal the driver to move out of the Flashing lights to signal the driver to move out of the

wayway

• Weaving in and out of trafficWeaving in and out of traffic

• Cutting people off Cutting people off

• Racing to beat a yellow lightRacing to beat a yellow light

Signs of an Aggressive DriverSigns of an Aggressive Driver

• Behaving impatiently with Behaving impatiently with slower driversslower drivers

• Honking the horn or screamingHonking the horn or screaming

• SpeedingSpeeding

• Not coming to a complete stop Not coming to a complete stop at stop signsat stop signs

• Making gesturesMaking gestures

• Passing on shoulder or unpaved Passing on shoulder or unpaved areasareas

Factors Leading to Factors Leading to Aggressive DrivingAggressive Driving//Road Road RageRage

•More Traffic Congestion More Traffic Congestion

•More CarsMore Cars

•More FrustrationMore Frustration

•More StressMore Stress

•More HostilityMore Hostility

•More ViolenceMore Violence

Did you know?

In the past 30 years in the US:

• population has increased 30%

• number of licensed vehicles has increased 87%

• vehicle miles traveled increased 130%

• highway capacity has only increased 5%

Factors Leading to Factors Leading to Aggressive DrivingAggressive Driving//Road Road RageRage

Preventing Road RagePreventing Road Rage

• Don’t RespondDon’t Respond -- -- Stay COOL. Don’t react to other Stay COOL. Don’t react to other drivers’ aggressive actions. drivers’ aggressive actions.

• Don’t EngageDon’t Engage -- -- Stay away from vehicles driving Stay away from vehicles driving recklessly.recklessly.

• Don’t Up the AnteDon’t Up the Ante -- -- Don’t take traffic problems Don’t take traffic problems personally.personally.

• Swallow Your PrideSwallow Your Pride -- -- Take a courteous and helpful Take a courteous and helpful attitude toward other drivers.attitude toward other drivers.

• Choose the Road “LESS Traveled”Choose the Road “LESS Traveled” -- -- Avoid Avoid aggressive drivers by traveling less congested roadways.aggressive drivers by traveling less congested roadways.

Useful AttitudesUseful Attitudes

DRIVING IS A DRIVING IS A COOPERATIVE COOPERATIVE

VENTURE: NOT A VENTURE: NOT A COMPETITIVE SPORT!COMPETITIVE SPORT!

Preventing Road RagePreventing Road Rage

How will you respond?How will you respond?