Drinking and Driving and Distracted Driving

Question 1

What are the three types of driver distractions?

Answer 1

The three types of driver distractions are:

• Visual—Eyes off the road.
• Cognitive—Mind off the road.
• Manual—Hands off the steering wheel.

Question 2

True or False:

Eating and reading while driving can distract you and lead to a collision

Answer 2

TRUE

Eating and reading while driving can distract you and lead to a collision

Question 3

True or False:

Looking at an object or event outside of the vehicle is not a case of distracted driving.

Answer 3

FALSE

Question 4

What should you do if your cell phone rings while you are driving?

Answer 4

do not answer it

If your cell phone rings, do not answer it. Let the call go to voicemail if you have this feature.

Question 5

You are driving and you need to make an urgent phone call. What should you do?

Answer 5

first, pull safely off the road

If you must make a call, pull safely off the road before making the call

Question 6

Why can’t a driver remain totally focused on the road though he or she is using a hands-free device for calling?

Answer 6

Hands-free devices still involve manual-visual tasks that may take the driver’s focus off driving.

Question 7

Why can a driver taking care of children have trouble controlling his or her vehicle?

Answer 7

because he or she is getting distracted

Taking care of children while driving can distract the driver and he or she can have trouble controlling the vehicle.

Question 8

True or False:

Texting while driving isn’t just dangerous—it can be illegal too.

Answer 8

TRUE

Question 9

If you are driving through a work zone, you must avoid which distractions?

Answer 9

Avoid the following distractions while driving through a work zone:

• using a cell phone hands-free
• reading/sending text messages,
• operating your GPS and entertainment systems.

Question 10

What is distracted driving?

Answer 10

Distracted driving refers to an act of driving while your attention or mind is on anything other than the road.

Question 11

Other than cell phones, what in-vehicle devices can lead to distracted driving?

Answer 11

In-vehicle devices have complex interfaces and can lead to distracted driving. They include:

• portable entertainment devices
• touch screen visual displays
• joystick input methods
• voice interfaces
• head-up displays

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Question 12

What measure should a driver take to reduce any technological distractions?

Answer 12

To reduce technological distractions:

• Do not input navigation instructions while driving.
• Do not adjust the music or other electronic wireless communications devices while driving.
• For navigation devices, use the audio navigation function when possible.

Question 13

Fill in the blank:

Distracted driving is particularly common among but not exclusive to _____ drivers

Answer 13

Distracted driving is particularly common among but not exclusive to younger drivers

Question 14

Why is it not a good idea to eat or look at maps while driving?

Answer 14

Eating or looking at maps can lead to manual, visual, or cognitive distractions and can interfere with the driver’s focus on driving.

Question 15

True or False:

The use of any medicine which impairs your ability to drive safely is illegal.

Answer 15

TRUE

The use of any medicine (the law does not distinguish between prescription, over-the-counter or illegal drugs) which impairs your ability to drive safely is illegal.

Question 16

What kinds of drugs, other than alcohol, can reduce a person’s concentration and affect their driving ability?

Answer 16

Marijuana, stimulants (like amphetamine), tranquilizers, sedative-hypnotic drugs, including barbiturates, and over-the-counter drugs

Question 17

When is a person (in Texas) considered legally intoxicated?

Answer 17

Anyone with a BAC of 0.08 or more is considered intoxicated.

Question 18

What is meant by implied-consent law?

Answer 18

According to implied-consent law, anyone who receives a driver’s license automatically consents to be tested for blood-alcohol content and other drugs if stopped for suspicion of alcohol or drug usage while driving.

Question 19

True or False:

The implied consent for adults is similar to that of minors.

Answer 19

TRUE

Question 20

What is the penalty for a driver whose car is stopped on a public highway is found carrying open containers of alcohol?

Answer 20

maximum $500 fine

The driver can be cited for an open container violation. Conviction of this offense is punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.

Question 21

Suppose an individual (19 years old) has a detectable amount of alcohol in their system while operating a watercraft, and this is their 3rd DUI offense, what could be the consequences for this misdemeanor?

Answer 21

180 days in jail, $500 to $2,000 fine or probation

This is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500 to $2,000 and/or confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days, community service of 40 to 60 hours, an alcohol awareness class may be required, and the minor’s license will be suspended (or privilege denied of not licensed) for one year or for 90 days with a judge’s order to install an ignition interlock device.

Question 22

In how much time can the human body dispose of 12 ounces of beer, or a 5-ounce glass of wine?

Answer 22

approximately 1 hour

Question 23

In what ways can marijuana affect a person’s driver skills?

Answer 23

poor concentration, lack of judgment, and impaired sensory and perceptual abilities

Even typical social doses of marijuana can affect concentration, judgment, and sensory and perceptual skills needed for careful driving. People who are under marijuana influence have impaired sensory and perceptual abilities.

Question 24

What are the possible risks associated with driving after consuming a tranquilizer?

Answer 24

sleepiness and over-sedation

Tranquilizers/sedative-hypnotic drugs calm people down or help them sleep. This can lead to over-sedation and sleepiness while driving.

Question 25

What is the only effective way of reducing BAC?

Answer 25

allowing your body time to get rid of alcohol

Taking cold showers, drinking black coffee, or exercising will not make a person sober. Only time, based on body weight, the number of drinks, and food intake, can minimize the effects of alcohol.

Question 26

True or False:

According to the Texas Alcohol Beverage Code, a minor is any individual who is under 18 years of age.

Answer 26

FALSE

According to the Texas Alcohol Beverage Code, a minor is any individual who is under 21 years of age.

Question 27

What is the penalty if you are found selling alcohol to a minor?

Answer 27

$4,000 and/or confined in jail for up to one year

Persons who purchase, furnish, or sell alcohol to a minor can be fined up to $4,000 and/or confined in jail for up to one year.

Question 28

State any three Alcoholic Beverage Code offenses?

Answer 28

Some Alcoholic Beverage Code offenses include:

• Minor in possession
• Attempt to purchase alcohol by a minor
• Purchase of alcohol by a minor
• Consumption of alcohol by a minor
• Misrepresentation of age by a minor
• Driving or operating a watercraft under the influence of alcohol by a minor.
• Failure to complete an alcohol awareness class.

Question 29

Suppose a person (aged under 21 years) refuses to provide his/her breath or blood specimen to an enforcement officer for the second time, what penalty he/she might have to face?

Answer 29

Driver license suspension (or privilege denial if not licensed) for 2 years

Question 30

What effect might the combination of alcohol and another drug have on a person who is driving a vehicle?

Answer 30

The combination of alcohol and another drug can:

• escalate the overall effects
• increase a person’s risk of poor decision making
• slow down the responsive reactions to situations

Taking a combination of alcohol and a drug might escalate the overall effects of the other drug. Alcohol can mask the effects of the other drug, increase a person’s risk of poor decision making and/or slow down the responsive reactions to situations.

Question 31

Choose the correct option.

How much alcohol can you consume and still expect to be able to drive safely?

A. Half a drink

B. One drink

C. Two drinks

D. No drink at all

Answer 31

No drink at all

Question 32

What happens to your driver’s license if you are a minor whose blood specimen showed a detectable amount of alcohol but it is below 0.08 BAC - and that is for the first time?

Answer 32

suspension of driver’s license for 60 days.

This being the first offense, the minor’s driver’s license would be suspended or his/her driving privileges would be denied for the next 60 days.

Question 33

What is the penalty for vehicular manslaughter by a driver (adult) who is intoxicated with alcohol or drugs?

Answer 33

Vehicular manslaughter is punishable by

• a fine of up to $10,000
• confinement of 2 to 20 years in TDCJ (the Texas Department of Criminal Justice)
• suspension of Driver License for 180 days to 2 years

Question 34

Choose the correct option:

Which of the following is true about driving and taking drugs?

A. Prescribed drugs are safe to use while driving.

B. Only illegal drugs can impair one’s driver’s ability.

C. Even over-the-counter drugs, like antihistamines, can affect one’s driver’s ability.

D. Drugs containing caffeine can improve one’s driver’s ability.

Answer 34

Even over-the-counter drugs, like antihistamines, can affect one’s driver’s ability.

Prescribed drugs, over-the-counter, and illegal drugs – any drug can impair your ability to drive safely. You should always check with a doctor or pharmacist before taking more than one type of drug or mixing drugs.