Literature Review : Drinking and Driving
Introduction:
The concern of drinking and driving is a state law; therefore, the rules and laws may vary among the states. Regardless, drinking while driving is an enormous concern in all 50 states and getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming any amount of alcohol should not be tolerated under any circumstances According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this year 519,000 people, or one person per minute, will be injured in alcohol-related accidents. 10,839 people will die in drunk-driving crashes this year – that is one death every 50 minutes. Unfortunately, in spite of great progress, alcohol-impaired driving remains a serious national problem that tragically affects many victims annually (Hanson). The amount of alcohol in the bloodstream is called Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). It is measured in milligrams percent. In most states, drinkers are presumed to be legally impaired if they have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher.(Alcohol sourcebook) This is the same as one drop of alcohol in 1,200 drops of blood. While this may seem a small amount to worry about, a blood alcohol concentration of 0.30 can cause a person to go into a coma, while a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.40 could easily kill you” (Chaves County DWI Program). A surprising statistic to most people is, on average about three drinks will put an individual over the legal limit. One drink is considered 12oz beer, 3oz of wine, and 1oz of hard liquor (Arizona Department of Public Safety). Alcohol Sourcebook Researcher Amy Sutton says that, “alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small intestine, passes into the blood stream and is then widely distributed throughout the body. In small amounts, alcohol can have a relaxing effect. Adverse effects of alcohol include impaired judgment, reduced reaction time, slurred speech, and unsteady gait. However a small amount of alcohol to one individual
The concern of drinking and driving is a state law; therefore, the rules and laws may vary among the states. Regardless, drinking while driving is an enormous concern in all 50 states and getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming any amount of alcohol should not be tolerated under any circumstances According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this year 519,000 people, or one person per minute, will be injured in alcohol-related accidents. 10,839 people will die in drunk-driving crashes this year – that is one death every 50 minutes. Unfortunately, in spite of great progress, alcohol-impaired driving remains a serious national problem that tragically affects many victims annually (Hanson). The amount of alcohol in the bloodstream is called Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). It is measured in milligrams percent. In most states, drinkers are presumed to be legally impaired if they have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher.(Alcohol sourcebook) This is the same as one drop of alcohol in 1,200 drops of blood. While this may seem a small amount to worry about, a blood alcohol concentration of 0.30 can cause a person to go into a coma, while a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.40 could easily kill you” (Chaves County DWI Program). A surprising statistic to most people is, on average about three drinks will put an individual over the legal limit. One drink is considered 12oz beer, 3oz of wine, and 1oz of hard liquor (Arizona Department of Public Safety). Alcohol Sourcebook Researcher Amy Sutton says that, “alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small intestine, passes into the blood stream and is then widely distributed throughout the body. In small amounts, alcohol can have a relaxing effect. Adverse effects of alcohol include impaired judgment, reduced reaction time, slurred speech, and unsteady gait. However a small amount of alcohol to one individual
Cited: - Home. 1998. Web. 20 Apr. 2011. "Alcohol: Problems and Solutions Journal" Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context "Blood Alcohol Concentration." Chaves County DWI Program. University of Indiana, 2006. Web. 10 Apr. 2011. "Drunk Driving." Issues & Controversies On File: n Friedman, Lauri S. Drunk Driving: an Opposing Viewpoints Review. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven, 2008. Print. Hanson, David J Lightner, Candy. "Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving." Mothers Against Drunk Driving. 2011. Web. 01 Apr. 2011. Saunders, Carol Silverman Sutton, Amy L. "Drinking and Driving." Alcoholism Sourcebook. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 2007. 463. Print. "Update: Drunk Driving." Issues & Controversies On File: n Wagner, Heather Lehr. Alcohol. Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 2003. Print. "What Is a Drink?" Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), Arizona Highway Patrol - State of Arizona