101 Criticial Days of Summer: drinking and driving Published May 20, 2009 By compiled staff reports 354th Fighter Wing Safety Office EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Here are some facts, which can explode some of the myths and misconceptions about alcohol. Drinking and driving is one of the major factors contributing to motor vehicle accidents in the United States. Who Is the Culprit? The social drinker, in the past has been labeled as the major problem in the drinking driver problem. More recent studies now indicate that the major proportion of drinking drivers involved in accidents, especially severe to fatal accidents, have a high blood alcohol level. This does not mean that the "social drinker" is not involved in drinking driver accidents, but does indicate that the "drunken driver" is the biggest single problem on our streets and highways even though social drinkers vastly outnumber the heavy drinkers. Most people have the misguided idea that a few drinks will not affect their driving ability. This is a mistake. The scientific fact is that the critical judgment of a driver and his ability to react quickly in emergencies are seriously impaired after only a few drinks. It is true that even a very intoxicated person can perform the mechanical functions of driving. He can start the car, get it going and steer it--all badly, but the important point is that he doesn't have the judgment and the reflexes to do these things safely. Don't Fool Yourself! Some people have the mistaken notion that a drink gives a lift or stimulates the drinker, thus making him or her a better driver. Alcohol does not stimulate, it depresses. It depresses the central nervous system and removes inhibitions and social restraints. Contrary to popular belief coffee or other stimulants will not overcome the effects of alcohol; only time and body processes will accomplish this end. A full stomach tends to slow the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream, but it doesn't keep the alcohol from reaching the brain. It only delays it. Enter the Villain In the brain, alcohol first depresses the area of higher functions, which includes judgment, social restraint, etc. Next, it attacks simple motor functions like reaction time and vision. Balance, coordination and sensory perception are the next faculties to be impaired. Concentrated drinking will eventually lead to stupor, coma and even, if continued steadily, death. How Does It Act? There are several factors, which affect the absorption of alcohol into the blood stream: amount of food in the stomach, type of food, type of alcoholic beverage, body weight, and drinking habits. None of these factors will keep the alcohol from reaching the brain-although they may slow down or speed up absorption time. The most important factors contributing to alcoholic influence are the amount of alcohol absorbed into the blood and the amount of time allowed for the elimination of this alcohol. During the initial absorption period the individual may notice the impairing effects of the alcohol, while during the period of elimination he can be easily convinced that he no longer feels the effects and is perfectly sober. This is a delusion. The individual is falsely comparing his peak feelings of impairment with the declining impairment that he feels as his body eliminates the alcohol from his blood. He is not sober. He is only making a dangerously false comparison. Alcohol is eliminated through the lungs and kidneys. This combined process takes about three hours for each ounce of pure alcohol. In terms of the usual intoxicating beverages, it takes about one hour to eliminate each bottle of beer or each ounce of whiskey. How Many Drinks? To be safe and sure, none, if you are soon to drive your automobile. The more alcohol there is in the blood, the longer you must wait until you can drive safely. Some people seem to be able to hold their liquor better than others, and this excuse is often used by those who don't want to believe that a few drinks can seriously impair driving ability. Because of body weight, fatigue, emotional condition or a number of other reasons, one individual may show fewer visible signs of effect than another. However, this does not mean that he is less impaired so far as driving a motor vehicle is concerned. Much Ado About Nothing? Hardly! Studies have been conducted which show that the hazard of an accident increases with an increase in blood alcohol concentration. This means that a normal driver's chances of having an accident are increased with each additional drink taken within a given time period. When a driver's blood-alcohol level reaches .08 the probability of the driver causing a traffic accident is 25 times greater than if he were sober. Bottom line is do yourself and everybody else a favor - DON'T DRINK and DRIVE.