Alcohol and the Brain
- Goes through the bloodstream to the brain.
- Liver has limited ability to filter alcohol out of your blood.
- If you drink faster than your body can process the alcohol, you feel the effects of the alcohol.
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
- Blood Alcohol Concentration: the amount of alcohol in your body.
- All of the following drinks contain the same amount of alcohol:
- 12 ounce glass of 5% beer
- 5 ounce glass of 12% wine
- 1 ½ ounce shot of 80 proof liquor
- BAC is determined by the amount of alcohol you drink, how fast you drink and your weight.
Alcohol and Driving
- The only safe driving limit of Blood Alcohol Concentration is .00
- Affects more and more of the brain as the BAC builds up.
- First part of the brain affected controls judgement and self control.
- Muscle control, vision and coordination are also impacted.
- By a BAC of 0.15, you are physically unable to drive.
- Driving and drinking can cause:
- Increased reaction time to hazards.
- Driving too fast or too slow.
- Driving in the wrong lane.
- Running over the curb.
- Weaving.
Other Drugs
- Legal and illegal drugs can impact driving.
- Possession and use of a drug is only permitted if a doctor informs the driver that it will not impact his driving ability.
- Don’t use drugs that hide fatigue.
Illness
- If you become too ill to drive, you should stop as soon as possible.