Chapter 8

Alcohol

Alcohol Facts

• One half of victims killed haven’t been drinking.• More Young drivers are involved in crashes

twice the the rate of drivers 21 and older.• Drivers aged 16 through 20 are more likely to be

alcohol impaired than any other age group.• than half of all fatalities during holidays are

alcohol related .

Ways Alcohol Abuse Costs

• 100,000 alcohol related deaths

• 36,000 alcohol related accidental deaths

• 25,000,000 problem drinkers• 10% social drinkers become problem drinkers

• Alcohol abuse costs US $450 billion/year• 28%of all vehicle deaths are alcohol related

• 30% of suicides are alcohol involved• 25% of all hospital admissions-- alcohol related

In the US • Each year 12,000 alcohol related DWI

traffic deaths

• Each year 600,000 serious injuries as a result of impaired drivers

In Your Lifetime

• 40% of Americans will be involved in a serious impaired driving accident

In NC

• Each year 16,000 are arrested for DWI

• Each year one billion dollars is spent on drunk driving. That’s over $200 per licensed driver

• Alcohol is the leading cause of death

• Alcohol is the leading cause of injury

• Alcohol abuse is the leading cause of economic loss

Alcohol and Young People• 25% of males killed under 21 are impaired• 12% of females killed under 21 are impaired• 50% plus of males 21-30 killed are impaired• 25% plus of females 21-30 killed are impaired• 20-25% of high school students reported getting

drunk in the last 30 days• 10-30% of high school students reported

drinking and driving in the last 30 days• 30-40% high school students reported riding with

a drinking driver in the last 30 days

Three types of Alcohol

• Methanol- wood alcohol

• Propanol- rubbing alcohol

• Ethanol- drinking, gas additive, distilled from fruit or grain

South Rowan High School

How Alcohol Affects Behavior

• Alcohol does not even affect the same person the same way in all situations.

• Mental abilities and alcohol.• First affects Judgment and reasoning.

• Alcohol weakens a persons inhibitions the inner forces of personality that restrain or hold back behavior. The person might drive too fast, take needless risks, or even drive into emergency situation without knowing or caring.

Alcohol

Alcohol is a sedative, depressant and a tranquilizer

Alcohol is eliminated

• Liver- 90%

• Breath- 8%

• Sweat glands- 2%

• Only time will offset the effects of alcohol

Percentage of Alcohol• Beer- 0-6%

• Wine- 10-20%

• Liquor- 40-50%

• One can of beer =one glass of wine= one shot of whiskey

Factors Effecting BAC

• Person’s weight• Type of drink• Rate of consumption• Food in the stomach• Age • Fatigue• Emotional state • Drinking experience• Male or Female• Other drugs in the body

Outcomes of Abusing Alcohol

• Alcoholism• Injury or death• Causing injury or death• DWI loss of license• Increased insurance rate (+900%)• Court costs and fees• Professional cost• Personal costs• Grades • Weight gain

Designated Drive

• Don’t drink

• Know your riders

• Set rules up front (sober)

• Limit the # of people to take care of

• Take all keys

• Agree on payment of gas, food, clean up

Problems being a Designated Driver

• Dealing with someone’s parents

• Clean up of a vehicle

• Dealing with intoxicated persons

• Sexual victimization

Legal BAC in NC

• Limit was set at .08

• Second offense .04

• Subsequent offense .00

Anyone above the limits is DWI

Breathalyzer Refusal

• 30 day pre-trial revocation of license

• Plus- one year revocation of license without limited privilege

Forfeiture Law in NC

• NC allows for forfeiture of vehicle when someone is DWI while license are revoked for DWI. First year of the law police confiscated 2,000 vehicles

Legal Drinking Age

• All 50 states -----21

Under 21

• .00 BAC or zero tolerance– Penalty- one year revocation of license

Underage Attempting Purchase

• One year revocation of license

• Up to $200 fine

• Misdemeanor

Buying for Someone Underage

• Minimum $500 fine and 25 hours of community service up to $2000 fine and 2 years in jail

• Second offense in 4 years-$1000 fine and 150 hours of community service

Selling to Someone Underage

• $250 fine and 25 hours of community service

• Second offense-$500 fine and 150 hours of community service

NC Open Container Law

• No open container of alcohol in the passenger compartments of a vehicle

Dram Shop Law• Provider is liable for negligent provision

(selling or giving) of alcohol. Persons providing can be held responsible for deaths, injuries that occur because of alcohol

• Negligent provision is defined as providing to underage or already intoxicated

Plea Bargaining

• NC law does not provide judges to reduce the charge of DWI

Limited Driving Privilege

• Limited driving privilege is only available in levels 3, 4, 5

Limited Privilege

• NC allows judges to require ignition interlock for convicted DWI

Insurance Rates

• DWI carries 12 insurance points– This is about a 900% increase

Grossly Aggravated

• Second offense in 7 years

• Third offense in 7 years. Level one

• DWI with a revoked license for DWI

• Causing serious injury while DWI

• DWI with a 16 year old in car

Aggravating Factors• Gross impairment• BAC .16• Reckless driving• Dangerous driving• Property damage in excess of $500• Personal injury• DWI with revoked license• Two prior convictions in 5 years of 3 +pts• DWI more than 7 years ago• Speeding while or attempting to elude

apprehension• Speeding 30 MPH over limit• Passing a stopped school bus

Mitigating Factors

• Slight impairment (.08 or .09)

• No chemical test available

• Safe and lawful driving

• No serious traffic offenses in 5 years

• Impairment due primarily to a lawfully prescribed drug

• Voluntary submittal to mental facility for assessment

Level 1

• 2 or more grossly aggravating factors– Mandatory 30 day jail sentence– Could be maximum 2 years in jail and $4000

fine– No limited privilege – Repeat offender-12 months minimum jail

Level 2

• One grossly aggravating factor exist– Mandatory jail sentence 7 days– Judge may sentence one year jail and up to

$2000 fine– No limited privilege

Level 3

• Aggravating factors outweigh mitigating factors– Minimum 72 hours in jail or 72 hours

community service or 90 day loss of license– Or any combination of the three– Impose fines up to $1000

Level Four

• Aggravating and mitigating factors are the same– 48 hours jail or 48 hour community service or

60 day loss of driving privileges – Or combination of the three– Fines up to $500

Level Five

• Mitigating factors outweigh aggravating factors– 24 hours jail or 24 hours community service or

30 days loss of driving privileges– Or combination of the three– Fines up to $200