The Effects of Drinking and Driving
Drinking and driving is a senseless crime. Everyone is, or should be aware of how much alcohol affects one's ability to drive. It is widely publicized and a well-known fact that drinking and driving do not mix. "It is well known that alcohol in moderate quantities affects different people in a variety of ways" (Denney 26). On average if a male adult were to consume three typical alcoholic beverages he would have a blood alcohol level of 0.06%. At this level, the drinker would either have a slight feeling of happiness, or feel slightly depressed. At this blood alcohol level a driver's ability to drive would be slightly reduced as the drivers responsiveness begins to decrease. A 0.1% blood alcohol level affects the motorists ability to drive as speech becomes slurred and reflexes get slower. A level of 0.2% depresses all of the motor areas, and emotions are seriously affected.
A Kranz (wreath) of Kölsch beer.
English: Relative risk of an accident based on blo...
Ball and stick model of ethanolIf one's blood alcohol level reaches 0.45%, a coma may result. A level of 0.7% may result in death. These figures indicate the severity of alcohol and the affects it has on one's body at different blood alcohol levels. Under the Criminal Code of Canada, it is a criminal offence to be in control of a vehicle if your blood alcohol content exceeds 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood, or 0.08%. It is also an offence if your ability to operate the vehicle is impaired by alcohol, whether or not your blood alcohol level exceeds the 0.08% level. The Criminal Code also requires a breath or blood sample to be provided when asked to do so by a police officer. Being convicted of drunk driving is a criminal charge and can result in heavy penalties and can lead to...