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Substance Abuse & Driving
Recent studies have revealed that there are far too many substance abuse and driving accidents each year: it is estimated that a total of two deaths occur within each hour of the day and around thirty individuals are seriously injured in substance abuse & driving accidents each hour. Alcohol plays the largest role in substance abuse & driving related accidents, but other illicit drugs also play a role. One fact is blatantly clear: if a driver is under the influence of any substance he or she should not set foot behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.
Some drivers may actually be getting behind the wheel and having substance abuse & driving related accidents because they are misinformed. A number of myths are associated with how quickly a person can sober up after having alcoholic beverages. For instance, some people believe that a quick shower will make the individual that is under the influence more alert and capable of driving; in other instances, some people may believe that exercise and exertion help to remove alcohol from one’s system. The truth is that it takes several hours for alcohol levels to return to normal in one-s bloodstream after drinking excessively. Furthermore, alcohol can have an even longer amount of time in the system to affect the human brain.
Since alcohol has such an intoxicating affect on the brain, the entire body is affected in an individual that has been drinking. People that believe it is okay to drive because they have only had a couple of drinks need to think again. Many substance abuse & driving related accidents occur when a driver has only had a couple of nightcaps or a few drinks while out with friends. Drinking affects one-s ability to concentrate, to see clearly, to think clearly and to perceive the environment around them. Since all of the latter behaviors need to be at the best level possible while driving - drinking and driving is never a good idea. In fact, a single drink should be a cue to the notion that a designated driver or some form of public transportation is necessary.
Illegal drugs should never be taken so the issue of driving and using such drugs should not even be an issue at all. Some drivers however, make the mistake of thinking that store bought or prescribed medications are okay because they are not illegal and they are easily accessible. Some medicines available in the store actually have alcohol in them and therefore have similar affects as drinking alcoholic beverages. Meanwhile, other medications may affect the perceptive and cognitive abilities of the driver and should be avoided before driving a vehicle.
Most drivers are aware that if they are under the influence of any kind of medication, illegal or legally prescribed drugs or alcohol, they can be arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Intoxicated. Tremendous fines accompany such charges, as well as the potential loss of licensure to drive, and possible jail time. What-s even worse is the stigma that the driver will receive. Nevertheless, it is far better for a driver under any kind of influence to encounter such baneful consequences than it is for someone to lose their life due to someone-s else-s imprudent driving decision.
Some drivers may actually be getting behind the wheel and having substance abuse & driving related accidents because they are misinformed. A number of myths are associated with how quickly a person can sober up after having alcoholic beverages. For instance, some people believe that a quick shower will make the individual that is under the influence more alert and capable of driving; in other instances, some people may believe that exercise and exertion help to remove alcohol from one’s system. The truth is that it takes several hours for alcohol levels to return to normal in one-s bloodstream after drinking excessively. Furthermore, alcohol can have an even longer amount of time in the system to affect the human brain.
Since alcohol has such an intoxicating affect on the brain, the entire body is affected in an individual that has been drinking. People that believe it is okay to drive because they have only had a couple of drinks need to think again. Many substance abuse & driving related accidents occur when a driver has only had a couple of nightcaps or a few drinks while out with friends. Drinking affects one-s ability to concentrate, to see clearly, to think clearly and to perceive the environment around them. Since all of the latter behaviors need to be at the best level possible while driving - drinking and driving is never a good idea. In fact, a single drink should be a cue to the notion that a designated driver or some form of public transportation is necessary.
Illegal drugs should never be taken so the issue of driving and using such drugs should not even be an issue at all. Some drivers however, make the mistake of thinking that store bought or prescribed medications are okay because they are not illegal and they are easily accessible. Some medicines available in the store actually have alcohol in them and therefore have similar affects as drinking alcoholic beverages. Meanwhile, other medications may affect the perceptive and cognitive abilities of the driver and should be avoided before driving a vehicle.
Most drivers are aware that if they are under the influence of any kind of medication, illegal or legally prescribed drugs or alcohol, they can be arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Intoxicated. Tremendous fines accompany such charges, as well as the potential loss of licensure to drive, and possible jail time. What-s even worse is the stigma that the driver will receive. Nevertheless, it is far better for a driver under any kind of influence to encounter such baneful consequences than it is for someone to lose their life due to someone-s else-s imprudent driving decision.
