Because the brain requires much blood to function, alcohol affects it more immediately than any other organ.

The effect that alcohol has on one’s judgment and physical coordination is determined by the BAC level.

BAC levels depend on the physical variables of individual’s: body weight and type, age, personal metabolic rate, alcohol tolerance, emotional state, other medications, the amount of food consumed, the time span of drinking, the number and strength of the drinks and SEX.

BAC levels also vary by ratio of body fat to muscle. Leaner people have more body water in which the alcohol is distributed. As women tend to be smaller, and to have proportionately more fatty tissue and less body water than men, the same amount of alcohol is likely to have a greater effect on them.

The subjects were then given alcohol intravenously, to determine the stomach’s role in breaking down alcohol. The women showed little difference in alcohol levels: their diminished level of alcohol dehydrogenates permitted nearly as much alcohol to pass into their bodies when they drank as when it was injected directly into their bloodstream.

Women feel the effects of alcohol twice as quickly as men because they have ½ as much of an alcohol-busting enzyme – alcohol dehydrogenate – in their stomachs.

Inhibitions lessened. Impulsive behavior.
BAC: .06 Less concern with minor irritations and restraints.

BAC: .09 Exaggerated behaviors; talkative, noisy or morose.

BAC: .12 Impaired verbal and fine coordination skills.

BAC: .15 Unmistakable intoxication.

Simple reaction time slowed. Impaired tracking, skilled psychomotor tasks & ocular motor control.

Slurred speech. Diminished coordination. Information processing deficit.

Staggering gait, clumsiness. Reduction in concentrated attention and perception.

Abnormal and unresponsive mental and physical functions. Unable to function behind the wheel.

Any refusal to submit will be used against you at trial. For a complete review of state-by-state administrative laws, illegal BAC levels and sanctions, consult the NHTSA website, “Traffic Safety Facts.”

In some states, hospitals can forward BAC levels of ER patients to the police, who would otherwise have no probable cause for arrest. Doctor-patient confidentiality is waived and police need not request the information.

Legislatively, on average 200 DWI-related bills are passed each year, and the Department of Transportation awards grant monies to encourage states to enact and enforce countermeasures and prevention programs, such as administrative license revocation, graduated licensing, programs to prevent alcohol sales to minors, sobriety checkpoints and programming to target high-risk populations.

Along with prevention programs, sanctions for repeat offenders have proliferated, including: electronic monitoring and home confinement, intensive supervision probation, license plate tagging, ignition interlock, special DWI incarceration facilities and stiffer fines and sentences for drivers with high BAC levels.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov
http://www.madd.org
http://www.ncadd.org
http://www.cspinet.org

SIGNS

Keeps window open in cold weather
Sticks head out of the window while driving
Turns too wide at intersections and corners, drives too closely behind other vehicles
Drives or swerves into oncoming traffic and corners
Turns abruptly or illegally at excessive speeds

INTERVENE

Offer to drive them home, take their keys or call a cab. They’ll insist they’re fit to drive, and most likely argue. It won’t be easy but don’t buy it.

The only way to insure that your driving is not impaired is to refrain from drinking or to designate a sober driver. If you are 21 or older and choose to drink, exercise responsible judgment: don’t drink if you intend to drive. Know how to protect others from poor decisions, and recognize impaired driving behaviors.

Marijuana is harmful to the brain, heart, lungs, and immune system. It limits learning, memory, perception, judgment, and complex motor skills, like those needed to drive.

Cocaine renders users unable to concentrate and think clearly for any length of time.

Inhalants can damage heart, kidneys, liver, brain, and other organs, depending upon types used.