How To Prevent Drunk Driving?

How To Prevent Drunk Driving?

Driving while under the influence of alcohol is against the law. The belief that drinking a little is okay, and that people can still manage to drive afterward is a misguided notion. Many drunk driving accidents have resulted from this because unless you measure the alcohol level in your blood, it is difficult to know for certain if you are still capable of driving properly after drinking.

Alcohol Gets into the Blood and Affects the Brain

Going by how many glasses or bottles you can take would not work because alcohol is processed by the body at different levels, and it largely depends on the person’s body weight, body composition, metabolism, and speed of absorption. Unlike food which has to be processed by the stomach, alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the linings of the stomach and small intestine.

Once it gets into the blood, alcohol is then distributed to all your organs and most tissues in your body in about 90 seconds and stays there until your body has completely processed and secreted it all. During this time, the remaining alcohol messes up the way the brain communicates with the rest of your body.

Higher concentrations of alcohol in the body mean that your brain works less efficiently.  This then affects your thinking, motor skills, and reaction time, all of which are critical when you are behind the wheel.

Drunk Driving Can Lead to Accidents

To determine the rate of alcohol remaining in the blood, a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) test has to be conducted. This test measures the amount of alcohol that is present for every 100ml of blood. In Australia, a person is not allowed to drive once the BAC reaches a level of 0.05.

Aside from affecting your reaction time and motor skills, having this much alcohol in your system will also hinder your body’s coordination which can make you easily lose control of the wheel. Vision is also impaired, and the ability to judge speed and distance will be compromised.

However, based on recent surveys, more than 47% of Australians think that they can speed up their body’s alcohol absorption. This could be the reason why about 25% of fatal car crashes in the Australian Capital Territory have been traced to drunk driving. If you have been a victim of drunk driving, Foylelegal.com can help you press charges against the perpetrator.

Ways To Prevent Drunk Driving

With all the dangers that drunk driving can bring, it is best to not take the risk for yourself. Aside from the legal consequences, there is also a moral responsibility to keep yourself and your passengers safe. The other drivers on the road who have taken measures to drive safely also do not deserve to be put at risk because of one drunk driver.

Make the road a safer place to be by following these simple steps:

1. The most straightforward way is to not drive if you have taken in alcohol, regardless of the quantity.  Do not give yourself excuses or convince yourself that you have only drunk a little. Once you drink alcohol, keep your hands off the car keys.
2. If you are traveling with others, appoint a designated driver within the group. The designated driver must then stay sober and not drink alcohol until he has driven everyone home.  If you are alone, call a cab or hire a driver to take you home instead.
3. Do not ride in a car if you know that the driver has consumed alcohol, even if he does not seem to be affected at all. He may think he can manage it well, but you never know how the alcohol has affected his vision and reflexes. The impact of the alcohol on his body may have also just been delayed, so it could strike anytime during your journey and put everyone in the car at risk. If he insists on driving, take his keys and call his family or help hire a driver for him.
4. Spending the night at a hotel or with a friend who lives within walking distance is also an option if you really cannot avoid drinking at a party. Book a room or ask your friend’s permission in advance before you head out.
5. Plan alcohol-free events with friends and colleagues.  There are many other ways you can have fun without involving alcohol. Think of games that everyone can enjoy or movies that your friends would like to watch together. Carbonated drinks and juice can also take the place of alcohol, mix them with some snacks, and you have a party at hand.
6. Help spread information about drunk driving and why it should be prevented. Work with your local community to disseminate information. Schools can also assist in educating teenagers about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol.