DUI Laws | DWILaws

DUII TASK FORCE Drunk

DUII Klamath County District Attorney's Office Edwin I. Caleb, District Attorney DUII KLAMATH COUNTY DUII TASK FORCE Drunk Driving is the Nations Most Frequently Committed Violent Crime . - Each year over 20,000 Oregonians are seriously injured in traffic crashes and over 500 are killed. Almost 50% of those deaths & injuries are ALCOHOL RELATED . - In the past decade, 229 traffic deaths occurred in Klamath County. 87 of the 229 were ALCOHOL REALTED . - ALCOHOL USE is the #1 drug problem among our youth. EIGHT (8) YOUTH die each day in ALCOHOL-RELATED crashes in the U.S. - Drivers under the age of 19 die in vehicle crashes at twice the rate of the rest of the population. - In Oregon, between 100-200 lives could be saved if everyone would BUCKLE UP and BE RESPONSIBLE! DUII TASK FORCE ACTION PLAN * REDUCE ALCOHOL RELATED INJURIES * REDUCE YOUTH FATALITIES * REDUCE DUII FATALITIES * TO BELIEVE LIFE IS PRECIOUS PURPOSE The Program was implemented in the Summer of 1984 by our current District Attorney Edwin I. Caleb. The purpose for which the DUII Task Force was formed was to establish and maintain a healthy community, and to reduce DUII related fatalities and serious injuries due to the intoxicated driver, through education, prevention information and to encouraging people to make The Right Choice. HOST LIABILITY You can be sued at your party for serving alcohol to intoxicated guests who later leave and injure/kill others or themselves. If the party is on your property, you can be sued as an occupier. Licensed establishments can ALSO be sued. The Klamath County DUII Task Force is involved in the following Activities: - DUII Victim Impact Panel is a panel of victims of alcohol related accidents. Offenders who have been charged with an alcohol related crime are required to attend the DUII Victim Impact Panel and listen to the victims of those accidents on how the offenders criminal conduct has affected their lives. - TEEN Impact Panel is a panel of teen victims of alcohol related accidents. Teen offenders who have been charged with MIPs are required to attend the Teen Impact Panel to listen to the teen victims share how the alcohol related accident has affected their lives. - Classroom Presentations are being done in our local schools throughout the school year to inform our youth on the dangers of alcohol and not wearing seat belts. - Annual Youth Safety Fair has a display and presentation done by the DUII Task Force every year. The Task Forces goal is to reach out to all youth on the consequences of alcohol use and their responsibility to make safe choices. - Readerboard Projects are done throughout the holidays to inform out community to NOT Drink & Drive. - Local Fair/Mall Displays has educational information about the DUII Task Force and how YOU can take part in keeping Klamath County safe. - Operation Graduation is a program that organizes alcohol free graduation parties for our local high schools. - Crime Prevention is what the District Attorneys Office and DUII Task Force focus on. The DUII Task Force is available not only for educational purposes, but to STOP Drinking & Driving in Klamath County. - BLOCK HOMES Program is a group of safe homes in the community where children can go for emergency assistance or to report that they need the assistance of law enforcement. - Alcohol Abuse Demonstrations is a public demonstration that will show you first hand how your driving becomes increasingly impaired after drinking alcohol. - Victim Support Groups are available through the DUII Task Force. - Annual Red Ribbon is a red ribbon that is supplied by the DUII Task Force for you to display on your vehicle to make the public aware of OUR fight to stop drinking and driving. - Annual Candlelight visual is the lighting of candles done once a year to honor the victims of alcohol related accidents. - TOW FOR LIFE is a courtesy provided by our local tow companies for those individuals who have had too much to drink during the holidays. Links to: Homicides Property crimes Animal abuse Support enforcement Crimes against kids Drug crimes Domestic violence Victim Services Crimes of violence DUII Elder abuse Prevention effort s Other Links: TELEPHONE DIRECTORY COMMUNITY PROSECUTION & INVOLVEMENT CONTACT US Back to Home Page

DWI DUI OWI OUI Driving in Nunavut DUI DWI: International Referral Database of DUI, DWI, Impairedand DrunkDriving, Drinking and Driving, Lawyers & Attorneys State orProvince | County | Region | Attorneys | Courthouses | License & Traffic Offices | Legislation | Instruments | Standards | Experts | Articles Add Attorney | Add Courthouse | AddDMV Office | Add Legislation | AddInstrument | Add Standards Home | Debate | AddingYour Firm | Words are used in Canada? DUI | DWI | DrunkDriving | Drinkingand Driving | DUI Laws | DWILaws | Ontariodui | Ontario dui laws | ImpairedDriving | TorontoDUI | BramptonDUI | MississaugaDUI DUI : Driving Under the Influence; DWI : Driving While Intoxicated;OUI: Operating Under the Inflence; OWI: Operating While Intoxicated; ImpairedDriving: Impaired in Canada to Slightest Degree; Over 80: Excess BAC alcohol inCanada over 80 mg/100mL; Care or Control: Occupy seat normallyoccupied by operator in Canada, act or series of acts involving useof car , fittings or equipment Nunavut DWI DUI OWI OUI Information Summaries of DUI Law DWI Law for Nunavut What to Do On DUI Court DWI Court First Appearance What to Wear to DUI Court DWI COurt Being Early for DUI Court and DWI Court Directory of DUI Courthouses and DWI Courthouses in Nunavut Directory of Motor Vehicle Offices BAC Instruments used in DUI Court and DWI Court Cases DUI and DWI Breath and Blood Collection Standards and Departments Responsible DUI and DWI Legislation in Nunavut Substantive DUI/DWI/Excess Alcohol Offense DUI DWI Refusal Offense/Presumption DUI DWI Administrative Driver's License Suspension Drinking and Driving Procedure/Evidence DUI DWI Penalties Suspension on Conviction, Prohibition DUI DWI Drive While Suspended Offense Immigration, Exclusion of Visitors resulting from DWI DUI Reciprocal DUI DWI Agreements Constitutional Rights in DUI DWI Cases Other Criminal Non-DUI Non-DWI Legislation DUI Attorneys DWI Attorneys - Lists by County in Nunavut List of DUI Attorneys DWI Attorneys and Practice Descriptions Avocats DUI,DWI, droit criminel Adwokaci DUI,DWI, prawo kryminalne List of DUI Forensic Experts, DWI Forensic Experts and Practice Descriptions State/Province DUI DWI Data and Links to DUI DWI Statutes The Impaired Driving Checklist The Drinking Driver's worksheet DUI DWI and Criminal Defense Character Reference Letters Articles and Writings Nunavut DUI Attorney DWI Attorney Articles and Writings Nunavut DUI Lawyer DWI Lawyer Articles and Writings Nunavut Drunk Driving Attorney Articles and Writings Nunavut Drunk Driving Lawyer Articles and Writings AddDL Lawyers and DUI Information in Nunavut Cities and Towns Sponsored by: No records returned. 864 | DUI DWI Practice Descriptions, Links, andProfiles | DUI DWI Summaries of Law | Searchby Region, County, City | First Appearance inDUI Court DWI Court | MembersOnly | AddYour Firm | Delete | Privacy | For Ontario DUIDWI impaired driving criminal law information please visit www.lawyers.ca See also TorontoDUI For more information respecting this database or to report misuse contact: AllbissLawdata Ltd. , 303-470 Hensall Circle, Mississauga,Ontario, Canada, L5A 3V4. Theauthor and the participants make no representation or warranty whatsoeveras to the authenticity and reliability of the information contained herein.Advertisement.Theselawyers do not practice in association. WARNING: All informationcontained herein is provided for the purpose of providing basic information onlyand should not be construed as formal legal advice. The authors disclaim any andall liability resulting from reliance upon such information. You are stronglyencouraged to seek professional legal advice before relying upon any of theinformation contained herein. Legal advice should be sought directly from aproperly retained lawyer or attorney.

Arizona DUI LAWS D.U.I.

dui laws, DUI LAWS, D.U.I. Laws dui laws in Ontario, Ontario DUI LAWS, ON D.U.I. Laws: driving under the influence laws The words dui laws, DUI law, D.U.I, and "driving under the influence", are usedby DUI lawyers and DUI attorneys in United States DUI Law . The expression "DUI laws" is not found in the CriminalCode of Canada. Canadians use terminology other than DUI laws or "driving underthe influence laws". We use the words "impaired driving laws" or"impaired operation laws", or "impaired care or control laws" but not "driving under the influencelaws"or "driving under impairment laws". In Canadian laws it is any impairment byalcohol or a drug of one's ability to operate a motor vehicle combined withoperation that is forbidden, not "driving under impairment" or"driving under the influence" (DUI). It is also a "DUI laws"criminal offence in Canada to drive having more than 80 milligrams of alcoholper 100 mls of blood whether one's ability to drive is"influenced" (DUI) or not . Canada has two main substantive DUI law criminal offences: impaired operation or careor control , over 80 operation or careor control Section 253. Every one commits an offence who operates a motorvehicle or vessel or operates or assists in the operation of an aircraft orof railway equipment or has the careor control of a motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft or railway equipment,whether it is in motion or not, (a) while the person's ability to operate the vehicle, vessel, aircraft or railway equipment is impaired by alcohol or a drug; or (b) having consumed alcohol in such a quantity that the concentration in theperson's blood exceeds eighty milligrams of alcohol in one hundred millilitresof blood. Impaired operation or care or control in Canada includes operation or care orcontrol of a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft while one's ability to operateis impaired by alcohol or a drug to any degree of impairment. This DUI offence isproven by evidence of bad driving and various indicia of impairment observedsuch as slurred speech, difficulty with standing walking turning, red glassyglossy bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, odor odour of an alcoholic beverage,complexion flushed face, and performance on physical tests. The DUI offence of excess blood alcohol or over 80 is usually proven by breathtests that determine blood alcohol concentration using and approved instrumentsuch as a Breathalyzer 900 900A or Intoxilyzer 5000C. Blood tests are used inDUI cases where breath testsare not practical to provide evidence of blood alcohol concentration. Both Canadian DUI laws are federal criminal law offences. The Crown inCanada can prosecute a DUI in either of two ways. DUI offences are hybridoffences in Canada. The Crown may prosecute a DUI offence by indictment (roughlysimilar to a US felony DUI) or they may prosecute a DUI offence by summaryconviction (roughly similar to a US misdemeanor). The local Crown Attorney mustelect whether to proceed with the D.U.I. by indictment or by summary conviction.Until he or she elects, the DUI offence is deemed to be prosecuted byindictment. Most Canadian DUI offences are prosecuted by summary conviction. The usual penalty for a first DUI offence in Canada is a fine. The minimumsecond DUI offence penalty is 14 days in jail. The minimum penalty for a thirdDUI is 90 days in jail. There is always a DUI driving prohibition and the local province will suspend a DUI offender's driver's licence . If a US citizen or other non-Canadian citizen is convicted of a DUI offencein the USA or a dui offence in any country other than Canada, the DUI offenderwill be inadmissibleto Canada on grounds of criminality, unless rehabilitated , because the DUIoffence is deemed to be a Canadian DUI offence and all Canadian DUI offences aredeemed indictable (similar to a US felony - see above) unless the Crown haselected to proceed with the DUI offence by summary conviction (which will neverhave happened because the DUI offense occurred outside Canada. The situationwill be different if the DUI offence occurs in Canada and the Crown elects toproceed by summary conviction which they normally do. Click the banner for more Canadian DUI laws information. DUI LAWS, D.U.I. Laws, or driving under the influencelaws is, however,an important concept used in the United States. For more detailed DUI legalinformation click on one of the links below: Alabama DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Alabama d.u.i. law in Alabama Alabama dui laws D.U.I. Laws in AL AL dui laws Alaska DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Alaska d.u.i. law in Alaska Alaska dui laws D.U.I. Laws in AK AK dui laws Alberta DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Alberta d.u.i. law in Alberta Alberta dui laws D.U.I. Laws in AB AB dui laws Arizona DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Arizona d.u.i. law in Arizona Arizona dui laws D.U.I. Laws in AZ AZ dui laws Arkansas DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Arkansas d.u.i. law in Arkansas Arkansas dui laws D.U.I. Laws in AR AR dui laws British Columbia DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in British Columbia d.u.i. law in British Columbia British Columbia dui laws D.U.I. Laws in BC BC dui laws California DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in California d.u.i. law in California California dui laws D.U.I. Laws in CA CA dui laws Colorado DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Colorado d.u.i. law in Colorado Colorado dui laws D.U.I. Laws in CO CO dui laws Connecticut DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Connecticut d.u.i. law in Connecticut Connecticut dui laws D.U.I. Laws in CT CT dui laws Delaware DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Delaware d.u.i. law in Delaware Delaware dui laws D.U.I. Laws in DE DE dui laws District of Columbia DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in District of Columbia d.u.i. law in District of Columbia District of Columbia dui laws D.U.I. Laws in DC DC dui laws England DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in England d.u.i. law in England England dui laws D.U.I. Laws in EN EN dui laws Florida DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Florida d.u.i. law in Florida Florida dui laws D.U.I. Laws in FL FL dui laws Georgia DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Georgia d.u.i. law in Georgia Georgia dui laws D.U.I. Laws in GA GA dui laws Hawaii DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Hawaii d.u.i. law in Hawaii Hawaii dui laws D.U.I. Laws in HI HI dui laws Idaho DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Idaho d.u.i. law in Idaho Idaho dui laws D.U.I. Laws in ID ID dui laws Illinois DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Illinois d.u.i. law in Illinois Illinois dui laws D.U.I. Laws in IL IL dui laws Indiana DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Indiana d.u.i. law in Indiana Indiana dui laws D.U.I. Laws in IN IN dui laws Iowa DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Iowa d.u.i. law in Iowa Iowa dui laws D.U.I. Laws in IA IA dui laws Kansas DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Kansas d.u.i. law in Kansas Kansas dui laws D.U.I. Laws in KS KS dui laws Kentucky DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Kentucky d.u.i. law in Kentucky Kentucky dui laws D.U.I. Laws in KY KY dui laws Louisiana DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Louisiana d.u.i. law in Louisiana Louisiana dui laws D.U.I. Laws in LA LA dui laws Maine DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Maine d.u.i. law in Maine Maine dui laws D.U.I. Laws in ME ME dui laws Manitoba DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Manitoba d.u.i. law in Manitoba Manitoba dui laws D.U.I. Laws in MB MB dui laws Maryland DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Maryland d.u.i. law in Maryland Maryland dui laws D.U.I. Laws in MD MD dui laws Massachusetts DUI LAWS D.U.I. 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Laws in New Brunswick d.u.i. law in New Brunswick New Brunswick dui laws D.U.I. Laws in NB NB dui laws New Hampshire DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in New Hampshire d.u.i. law in New Hampshire New Hampshire dui laws D.U.I. Laws in NH NH dui laws New Jersey DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in New Jersey d.u.i. law in New Jersey New Jersey dui laws D.U.I. Laws in NJ NJ dui laws New Mexico DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in New Mexico d.u.i. law in New Mexico New Mexico dui laws D.U.I. Laws in NM NM dui laws New York DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in New York d.u.i. law in New York New York dui laws D.U.I. Laws in NY NY dui laws Newfoundland DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Newfoundland d.u.i. law in Newfoundland Newfoundland dui laws D.U.I. Laws in NF NF dui laws North Carolina DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in North Carolina d.u.i. law in North Carolina North Carolina dui laws D.U.I. Laws in NC NC dui laws North Dakota DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in North Dakota d.u.i. law in North Dakota North Dakota dui laws D.U.I. Laws in ND ND dui laws Northwest Territories DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Northwest Territories d.u.i. law in Northwest Territories Northwest Territories dui laws D.U.I. Laws in NT NT dui laws Nova Scotia DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Nova Scotia d.u.i. law in Nova Scotia Nova Scotia dui laws D.U.I. Laws in NS NS dui laws Nunavut DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Nunavut d.u.i. law in Nunavut Nunavut dui laws D.U.I. Laws in NU NU dui laws Ohio DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Ohio d.u.i. law in Ohio Ohio dui laws D.U.I. Laws in OH OH dui laws Oklahoma DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Oklahoma d.u.i. law in Oklahoma Oklahoma dui laws D.U.I. Laws in OK OK dui laws Ontario DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Ontario d.u.i. law in Ontario Ontario dui laws D.U.I. Laws in ON ON dui laws Oregon DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Oregon d.u.i. law in Oregon Oregon dui laws D.U.I. Laws in OR OR dui laws Pennsylvania DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Pennsylvania d.u.i. law in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania dui laws D.U.I. Laws in PA PA dui laws Prince Edward Island DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Prince Edward Island d.u.i. law in Prince Edward Island Prince Edward Island dui laws D.U.I. Laws in PE PE dui laws Quebec DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Quebec d.u.i. law in Quebec Quebec dui laws D.U.I. Laws in QC QC dui laws Rhode Island DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Rhode Island d.u.i. law in Rhode Island Rhode Island dui laws D.U.I. Laws in RI RI dui laws Saskatchewan DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Saskatchewan d.u.i. law in Saskatchewan Saskatchewan dui laws D.U.I. Laws in SK SK dui laws South Carolina DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in South Carolina d.u.i. law in South Carolina South Carolina dui laws D.U.I. Laws in SC SC dui laws South Dakota DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in South Dakota d.u.i. law in South Dakota South Dakota dui laws D.U.I. Laws in SD SD dui laws Tennessee DUI LAWS D.U.I. Laws in Tennessee d.u.i. law in Tennessee Tennessee dui laws D.U.I. Laws in TN TN dui laws Texas DUI LAWS D.U.I. 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drunk driving fatalities and

Drunk Driving Reform Initiative Sarah and Chip's Crosses on 350 South, Lafayette, Indiana Dedicated to reducing the number of drunk driving fatalities and injuries in the memory of Sarah Towery and Chip Smith who were killed by a repeat drunk driver on March 21, 1999 in Lafayette, Indiana. The "system" contributed to this tragedy, in that numerous government agencies and individuals enabled Jeffrey Trout to be on that road in that condition on that date. The purpose of this initiative is to bring together various reform issues and ideas in order to contribute to reducing the number of alcohol and other drug-related highway deaths and injuries, especially by repeat offenders. There is no single solution in dealing with the issue, and the judicial system seems unable to put together a comprehensive approach to deal with the issue. The Drunken Driving Reform Initiative will provide practical, realistic solutions that when implemented will reduce the number of alcohol and drug-related deaths and injuries. Sarah and Chip: their Personal Stories Sarah - 24-year-old part-time student and working full-time Chip - 20 year old studying to become a paramedic while working full-time Facts surrounding the March 21, 1999 crash and deaths of Sarah and Chip Lafayette Journal and Courier newspaper articles and editorials relating to drunk driving Senate committee OKs .08 bill Proposed legislation Sarah's father (Dan Towery) recounts tragedy Drunk Driving Facts Other related links MADD Candlelight Vigil - December 7, 2000 - Lafayette, IN Electronic mail dan@ddreform.org margie@ddreform.org webmaster@ddreform.org Send mailto webmaster@ddreform.org withquestions or comments about this web site. Last modified: July 10, 2003

blood alcohol level returns

Office of Alcohol & Drug Education What is B.A.C. (Blood Alcohol Concentration)? BAC is the amount of alcohol in your blood stream. It is recorded in milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood, or milligrams percent. For example, a BAC of .10 means that 1/10 of 1 percent (or 1/1000) of your total blood content is alcohol. When you drink alcohol it goes directly from the stomach into the blood stream. This is why you typically feel the effects of alcohol quite quickly, especially if you havent eaten in a while. BAC depends on: 1) Body weight (Blood volume increases with weight) 2) The number of ounces of alcohol in each drink 3) Time spent drinking ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What are B.A.C. Zones? The following list explains the use of "ZONES" on our BACZONE Cards. Each zone represents effects that would normally be expected to occur at these varying blood alcohol concentrations... THE GREEN ZONE Concentration Range: .00-.059 Effects: .02-.059 = social drinker. Light and moderate drinkers begin to feel mildly relaxed and maybe a little lightheaded. Your inhibitions are slightly loosened, and whatever mood you were in before you started drinking may be mildly intensified. Your behavior may become exaggerated, making you talk louder or faster or act bolder than usual. You may also feel a mild sense of euphoria. Rapid drinking may create the illusion that it takes more alcohol to relax, because the first drinks are taking effect while later drinks are being consumed. Even this level of intoxication is unsafe for women who are pregnant. There is no known safe level of drinking for women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. THE BLUE ZONE Concentration: .060-.24 Effects: You believe you are functioning better than you actually are. At this level, you may start to slur your speech. Your sense of balance is probably off and your motor skills are starting to become impaired. Your ability to see and hear clearly is diminished. Your judgment is being affected, so it's difficult for you to decide whether or not to continue drinking. Your ability to evaluate sexual situations is impaired. Students may jokingly refer to this state of mind as "beer goggles", but this BAL can have serious repercussions. People are more likely to take risks they would not take when sober, and are unable to judge accurately their ability to drive. There is no known safe level of alcohol in the blood when driving a motor vehicle or engaging in other potentially risky activities such as swimming, boating and using power tools or firearms. If you have one or more drinks before such activities, allow enough time to pass so that your blood alcohol level returns to ZERO before you begin. Use your table to determine how long it will take for your blood alcohol to return to zero. Concentration: .080 Effects: Legally Intoxicated in most states. Judgment is further impaired. People are more likely to take risks they would not take when sober and are unable to accurately assess their ability to drive. Concentration: .100-.120 Effects: At this level, you feel euphoric, but you lack coordination and balance. Your motor skills are markedly impaired, as are your judgment and memory. You probably don't remember how many drinks you've had. Your emotions are exaggerated, and some people become loud, aggressive, or belligerent. If you're a guy, you may have trouble getting an erection when your BAC is this high. Reaction time and control of precise movements are clearly impaired. A person driving at this level is ten times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident. This level is regarded as legal intoxication in almost all nations and states. Vomiting may occur, particularly in less experienced drinkers. Vomiting is a natural protective reaction of the body. Concentration: .150-.200 Effects: At .140-.170, your euphoric feelings may give way to unpleasant feelings. You have difficulty talking, walking, or even standing. Your judgment and perception are severely impaired. You may become more aggressive, and there is an increased risk of accidentally injuring yourself or others. This is the point when you may experience a blackout. Vomiting may occur in normal drinkers. Balance and coordination are normally impaired. Heavy drinkers may learn to appear sober at this level, but are in fact intoxicated. Balance and coordination are normally impaired. This level means that the equivalent of about one half pint of whiskey is circulating in the bloodstream. This level may result in the kind of amnesia known as an alcoholic "blackout". When sober, the person is unable to recall all or part of what happened during a certain period of intoxication. At .200, you feel confused, dazed, or otherwise disoriented. You need help to stand up or walk. If you hurt yourself at this point, you probably won't realize it because you won't feel pain. If you are aware you've injured yourself, chances are you won't do anything about it. Your gag reflex is impaired, so you could choke if you do throw up. Since blackouts are likely at this level, you may not remember any of this. A person driving at this level is 100 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident. THE RED ZONE Concentration: .250 Effects: All mental, physical, and sensory functions are severely impaired. You're emotionally numb. There's an increased risk of asphyxiation from choking on vomit and of seriously injuring yourself by falling or other accidents. Many people lose consciousness at this level. Individuals who have developed a high tolerance to alcohol may remain conscious at much higher levels. Concentration: .300 Effects: You're in a stupor. You have little comprehension of where you are. You may suddenly pass out at this point (passing out is a normal protective reaction of the body to prevent continued drinking) and be difficult to awaken. (But don't kid yourself: passing out can also occur at lower Backs. But, at lower blood alcohol levels, you may decide you've had enough to drink and go "pass out." With an alarming BAC like .30%, your body will be deciding to pass out for you.) Concentration: .350 Effects: This blood alcohol level happens to be the level of surgical anesthesia. Concentration: .400 Effects: You may stop breathing at this point. Most people lose consciousness at this level. You are probably in a coma. The nerve centers controlling your heartbeat and respiration are slowing down. Concentration: .450 Effects: This is a fatal dose for many people, especially when drinking such a large amount of alcohol at a rapid rate. A dose of alcohol this large can paralyze brain functions, which control breathing and heart activity. When vital functions cease, people die. Drinkers with a high tolerance for alcohol may survive this level. Even after passing out, the person has more alcohol in the stomach, which continues to be absorbed into the bloodstream. This is a serious risk for those who engage in drinking contests, the most frequent cause of alcohol-related fatalities among young people. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Ups and Downs of Alcohol Consumption As you consume alcohol in low to moderate amounts and as your BAC is rising and (but under .06) you will likely experience stimulating effects of alcohol (increases in arousal, energy, and confidence). This is due to the combination of increased amount of sugar from alcohol as well as the fact that alcohol initially depresses those parts of the brain that are responsible for inhibition.However, as your BAC surpasses .06 (or your BAC begins to fall) you begin to experience the true depressant effects of alcohol (fatigue, slowing down, and lack of coordination). In hopes of avoiding the depressing effects and regaining the initial stimulating effects of alcohol, you may be tempted to drink more. Unfortunately, this is the worst thing that you can do. The more alcohol you consume and subsequently the higher your BAC, the more you will experience the depressing effects of alcohol Drinking low to moderate amounts of alcohol can minimize the depressing and negative effects of alcohol. (below .06 BAC). Note: Tolerance, although thought to be a positive characteristic by some is actually hampering your experience while you drink. Not only does tolerance make drinking more expensive in terms of calories and money, but tolerance also limits the initial stimulating effects from alcohol and causes the depressing effects to be lower than usual. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Are their other physical or emotional factors to consider when consuming alcohol? The blood alcohol levels listed in your table are estimates. People do vary with regard to rates of alcohol metabolism. A number of factors could result in a higher blood alcohol level than that listed on the BACZONE Card tables, including but not limited to: - Drinking on an empty stomach - Using alcohol in combination with other drugs - Liver disease or impaired living functioning - Being on a diet or under normal weight - Certain emotional states - Being older (slower metabolism) Other factors may result in lower blood alcohol values than those listed on the BACZONE Card tables: - Drinking after a full meal - Vomiting - Having more rapid alcohol metabolism Remember, your body gets rid of alcohol at a relatively constant rate. There is nothing you can do to speed up the process once alcohol is in your bloodstream. Some factors often believed to help a person "sober up" after drinking have no effect on blood alcohol level. At most, they help the person to feel more awake, resulting in what has been called a wide awake drunk. Among ineffective methods are: - Coffee and other stimulants - Exercise - A cold shower or walk in fresh air - Immersing head into ice Other Things to Consider Alcohol and Brain Damage Brain damage can occur even after a few days of "binge drinking." A new study in the April issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that rats given the equivalent of 10 drinks on two consecutive days damaged the part of their brains responsible for smell. Dr. Crews, the studys co author, suggested that damage to this part of the brain in rats is comparable the frontal cortex in humans which Is involved in judgment and decision-making. Alcohol and Academic Performance A 1997 CORE Institute survey of over 197 colleges and universities and over 93,000 students found that grade point average steadily decreases the more students drink each weeks. Students who often receive A's had, on average, 4.21 drinks per week while students who receive D's and Fs had about 9.97 drinks per week. Alcohol and Sleep Alcohol consumed within six hours of sleep can lead to disruption of valuable REM sleep and often leaves one feeling fatigued and irritable the next morning. This disruption in REM sleep leads to poor driving even when there is no alcohol left in the body. Alcohol and Athletic Performance Drinking alcohol the day before or after a workout can also impede one's athletic performance. While alcohol deprives one of valuable REM sleep, it also depletes an important chemical called Human Growth Hormone or HGH. HGH is part of the muscle-building and repair process, and the body's way of saying that muscle needs to grow. Because of its effects on sleep patterns, alcohol can decrease sleep-related growth hormone release by as much as 70%. Thus, drinking before or after a workout essentially nullifies all of one's hard work. Alcohol and Memory/ Learning Alcohol also inhibits a part of your brain called me hippocampus. It is this region of the brain that is vital to the formation of new memories. If you have alcohol in your system while you are in class or studying, you are less likely to store information in your memory. Learning and storing memories are complex processes. Your brain is working hard to turn the information you have learned into memories, even after you have stopped thinking about it. Drinking after spending a day in the library will likely negate your hard work. Alcohol and Sexual Function Despite the fact that, at low doses, alcohol often has a stimulating effect and may help people unwind and socialize, alcohol can have a devastating effect on sexual function. When a man consumes alcohol, the liver is stimulated and produces a substance that is toxic to the testes and breaks down testosterone. This reduction in testosterone can lead to shrinking of the testicles and penis, enlargement of the breasts and even impotence. REFERENCES Adapted from the BASICS program. Dimeff, L. A., Baer, J. S., Kivlahan, D. & Marlatt, G. A. (1999). Brief Alcohol Screening & Intervention for College Students Basics: A Harm Reduction Approach. New York, Guilford Publications. * BAC descriptions were drawn from the Facts on Tap website and the BAC descriptions provided in the BACCUS program narrative, Markham, M.R., Miller, W.R., & Arciniega, L. (1991).