DRIVING UNDER INFLUENCE - PLAYING WITH LIFE

Imagine telling someone to jump in the water without giving them a lifejacket and not knowing if the person can swim or not? Foolish isn’t it? Drinking and driving is just as stupid. 

You may be able to save the drowning person but think about the person who would be in wheelchair for all their life due to the fact that someone did not act responsible.

Alcohol and drugs affect vital functions and it becomes difficult to perform ordinary tasks. Major areas that are affected:

• Co-ordination & steadiness

• Judgment

• Reaction time

• Impaired vision

Alcohol affects the brain and central nervous system which control the vital functions of our body.  Nor only does alcohol affect a person mentally but also physically damages you kidneys, liver, stomach and heart.  Alcohol effects accident preventing behavior such as putting on your seat belt, turning on the headlights and signaling turns.

Always think a few of these things in your mind before you are going to have a few drink

• How will you get home from the party?

• Is public transport available?

• Can you get a lift with someone (sober!)?

• Will you get a taxi or be picked up?

Wine has same effect as any other alcohol product.  Make sure that if you drink don’t drive and if you drive don’t drink.

Alcohol affects teenagers and ladies much quicker then men.  People with smaller built get effected much quicker.  Some people are less tolerant to alcohol then others. Every person who drives, before consuming any alcoholic drink, must know how much he/she can have, before reaching the legal limit. Insurance companies exclude liability, if the driver is found to be over the limit. It can be a very costly mistake.

- First drink affects your driving.
- Second drink can push you to the limit!

On a full license the BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) in Canada is .08%. Two glasses of beer in an hour can bring you to that limit. One drink every hours after that, will keep you on the brink. On G1 and G2 alcohol limit is zero. Drugs also can equally affect your driving. Check with your doctor and read the label on your medications. Alcohol and drugs together may form a very lethal combination.