Drink >>>>
Audio commentary:
There cannot be anyone older than four years old who does not know that drinking and driving is dangerous. It has been the subject of countless documentaries, the plot of many hospital dramas and even made the prized spot of featuring in an Eastenders Christmas special. The subject has received more negative publicity than a retired bank manager, but still some people cannot complete the simple task of not mixing their drinking and their driving.
>> Figures
Over the 2008 festive period police officers around the country tested a total of 183,397 drivers. Results were similar to those of 2007, with 4.99% proving to be positive. That's 9,148 drivers who were found to be over the legal alcohol limit to drive. Worryingly the amount of drivers under the age of twenty-five found guilty of drinking and driving rose 11% from the previous year.
It was thought that it was older drivers, set in their ways, who were prone to drinking and driving. For once the younger generation knew better. But these figures suggest otherwise.
>> Reasons for Drink/Driving
- > Drinking alcohol increases a feeling of well-being and can give false confidence. This means that someone who would not normally consider driving after drinking may feel that they are actually fine to drive when they have had a few to drink.
- > It is also worth remembering that drinking is ingrained in our culture and even nights away from the pub, either at the cinema, bowling alley or five-a-side match usually involve a glass or two of alcoholic beverage either before or after.
- > There are many myths surrounding drinking and driving, mostly related to how much you can actually drink and stay within the legal limit. In the United Kingdom the drink drive limit is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. But drinks at the pub are measured by ABV (alcohol by volume) as a percentage and beers come in pints, half pints or bottles. Measuring your alcohol intake is like measuring a puddle with a ruler. Put simply, it's almost impossible to measure the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream.
>> Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol is a powerful drug that affects the brain and body straight away. It only takes five minutes before it has reached every part of your body. It affects judgement, and ironically the more convinced a drinker is of their ability to drive the worse they actually are. Alcohol causes loss of coordination and slows movement and reactions. It's a lethal combination when it comes to driving.
>> Alternatives
> Ensure that you are not tempted to drive. If you are using your car to travel, leave your keys with someone you can trust who will not give them back to you. Alternatively find public transport or use a taxi.
> Don't be tempted into drinking any amount of alcohol when you are out. Just one pint will instil in you the confidence that you can manage another one and still be fit to drive.
> Instead of trying to calculate your alcohol intake, decline any amount of alcohol. There's a lot of respect out there for people who stick to soft drinks when they are driving and you're more likely to get a better class of people asking you for a lift home if they know you haven't touched a drop.
> If you need to drive in the morning, figure this into your evening plans. Stick to just a few drinks and try to steer clear of drinks with a high alcohol content. Also plan to finish drinking early to enable your body to rid itself of the alcohol in your system.
>> Drugs
It is becoming clear that people driving under the influence of narcotics is a big problem on our country's roads. Many people believe the problem to be far more widespread than figures suggest. The penalties for drug-driving are the same as drink-diving. However, there is currently no 'breathalyser' to show whether a driver is under the influence of drugs. This may be the reason for the increasing incidents of this behaviour as rogue drivers believe they will get away with it.
>> Field Impairment Test
Police do have one weapon up their sleeve. The Field Impairment Test can be used to detain those whom they suspect of being unfit to drive through drugs, either illicit or medical. The test involves;
- > Observing any pupil dilation
- > Counting out 30 seconds
- > Walking nine paces and back
- > Balancing on one leg
- > Touching nose with eyes closed
It is hoped that an increased introduction of this test, along with widespread awareness campaigns, will result in a sharp drop in drug-driving offences, similar to that which has occurred for drink/driving.
>> Effects of Drugs
The unpredictable nature of drug use makes it extremely dangerous to drive when under their influence. The same drug and dose can have very different effects at different times depending on the purity of the drug and the person's emotional mood and health.
Cannabis makes users feel relaxed but also anxious and paranoid. It damages the ability to carry out tasks, including operating machinery and driving vehicles. That's not cool, dude! Cannabis can be detected in the urine up to 2-7 days after casual use and up to 30 days after heavy use.
Mushrooms produce a similar trip to LSD but it is milder and shorter, usually lasting about four hours. Needless to say, hallucinations are not conducive to the driving experience. Users of amphetamines and cocaine will feel excited, confident, alert and full of energy, which could be seen as a benefit to driving. However, overconfidence can lead to unreasonable risks being taken. High doses can also induce panic and hallucinations, which are not a great combination if you are behind the wheel. Traces will also be detectable in your urine up to four days after use.
Ecstasy and liquid ecstasy increase energy and a sense of well-being but emotions are more intense and this can lead to disorientation. Again, ecstasy can be detected in the urine up to four days after use at common levels.
If all this seems a little complicated then make life easier on yourself by cutting out the drink and the drugs completely when driving. It's also worth remembering that drug use is illegal in its own right.
