Drunk Driving – are you over the limit?
Drunk driving is a huge problem on South Africa’s roads. Research indicates that as much as 50% of people who die on our roads have a blood alcohol concentration of over 0.05 grams per 100 millilitres.
Being arrested is just one consequence for drunk driving. Fatal accidents that claim the lives of others should be your primary reason for getting a designated driver, or a service like Uber, to drive you home.
How much is too much?
If you suspect that you’ve had too much to drink, you probably have and you should definitely NOT be getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Even if you plan on having just one drink, it’s a better idea to plan ahead and make sure that you have alternative means of transport to get home.
Arrive Alive classifies intoxication levels as per below:
Arrive Alive reports that the clinical picture of intoxication levels differs from person to person, and in the same person from time to time.
Following is a picture of the Average Intoxicated Person:
0,00 – 0,05: Most of these people appear clinically normal. Some of them have an euphoria. Reaction time is slowed down two times.
0,05 – 0,10: Loss of inhibitions, self-criticism and has exaggerated self-confidence. Loss of concentration and normal judgement. Affected coordination. Reaction time is slowed down 4 times.
0,10 – 0,15: Further loss of self-critism, emotional instability, memory problems. Early ataxia, apraxia and agraphia. Reaction time is slowed down further. Orientation concerning time, place and person may be affected.
0,15 – 0,25: Ataxia, agraphia, apraxia. Coordination severely affected. Loss of orientation. Emotional instability. Balance disturbances. Apathy and emotional eruptions. Numbness and slowed reaction to pain stimuli. Partial amnesia.
0,25 – 0,35: Worsening of the above mentioned. Total loss of muscle coordination. Apathy and sometimes stupor. Total loss of orientation. Amnesia.
0,35-higher: Stupor followed by coma. General anesthesia and paresis. Suppression of the vital centres in the brain with cardio respiratory collapse and death.
Also read: Drinking and driving – what exactly is over the limit?
For a more detailed and in-depth look at the classification of intoxication levels click here.
The bottom line is that driving, no matter how little you’ve had to drink, should be avoided altogether. Even if you think you are more than ‘ok’ to get behind the wheel of a car, don’t kid yourself. The rule is simple: just don’t do it!
Source: Arrive Alive