Why You Should Refrain From Drinking & Driving
In this article, we’ll discuss The Great Dangers of Drunk Driving, a serious crime that impacts innocent people everywhere. These people are not drunk drivers; they are walking their dogs or home from work. Regardless, of their sobriety, drunk drivers can kill or paralyze them. Drunk driving also affects innocent people on the water, with boating accidents involving alcohol as the leading cause of death on waterways.
How Dangerous Is Driving While Intoxicated?
While the overall number of fatal drunk-driving accidents is decreasing, the risk of being involved in one is still great. People who are impaired by alcohol are more likely to crash than sober drivers. It’s estimated that one person dies in a drunken car accident every 51 minutes. In addition to fatal accidents, people who have a history of drunk driving are seven times more likely to be involved in a crash.
In 2009, nearly 11,000 people died in drunk driving accidents. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, there were more than 11 million reported cases of driving under the influence of alcohol in 2010. In the United States alone, four out of five drunk drivers were men, with a third of those involving a young person under the age of 21. In the UK, almost one million adolescents admitted to drinking and driving. In addition to the financial cost of drunk driving, the legal consequences of drunk driving can also be significant, including a loss of license, fines, and jail time.
Alcohol Increases Your Risk Of A Crash
Although alcohol is a dangerous substance for all drivers, it is even more deadly for teens. Statistically, drunk driving accounts for more than half of the traffic deaths that occur each year, and teens are at a higher risk than their older counterparts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 5 percent of high school youth report driving after consuming alcohol, and the rate is even higher for boys.
Although the legal limits for drunk driving are zero grams, the effects of alcohol on driving ability start to increase once you exceed this threshold. A driver’s risk of a car accident increases exponentially when their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above 0.08%. Even a street-legal BAC of 0.05 increases the risk of crashing by 100 percent, while the risk of an accident doubles at 0.08.
Impairment Begins Below 0.08 BAC
BAC levels below 0.08 are not yet considered impaired by law, but the effects can be significant. Even a single drink can impair judgment and physical ability. Even though this level may not be dangerous, it will attract the attention of a police officer. Impairment begins below this threshold, but the effects can vary greatly based on the type of alcohol and the individual. Generally, impaired driving begins at 0.08 BAC or higher, but it is still possible to drive after drinking a few drinks.
There is a scientific basis for this argument. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has conducted national opinion surveys and found that most drivers would not drive after drinking two or three drinks in an hour. Further, most people would say that the legal limit for driving after drinking is 0.05 BAC or less. That is lower than the legal limit, and more people are likely to avoid driving after having two or three drinks.
Is It Safe To Drink Just Two More Beers?
Is it safe to drink just two more beers? A recent study found that drinking two beers daily can damage your brain, equivalent to ten years of age. However, drinking in moderation is not a bad idea. Moderate drinking is recommended for most adults so that you don’t experience any negative effects. Here are some tips to help you drink responsibly. And remember: Moderation is the key.
While drinking beer is safe, it must be consumed in moderation. Women should drink between one and three units daily. Men may drink up to three units but should limit themselves to one or two a day. It’s also important to maintain a steady intake of alcohol throughout the week. According to current guidelines, you should consume no more than 14 units of alcohol per week for women and 21 units of alcohol for men. However, it is recommended to drink at least one unit per day, and not more than five units in a short period. Health organizations and scientists disagree on exactly what constitutes moderation.
Play It Smart
Drinking and driving are two of the greatest dangers to human life. Drunk drivers will likely not follow traffic signals and may not even follow traffic laws, so you should always be extra cautious when crossing intersections. If you can’t avoid drunk drivers altogether, try to find a non-drinking designated driver or ride-sharing app. Wearing a seatbelt is the best defense against drunk drivers, and plan your route home safely if you’ve had a few drinks.
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