Unit 15 Flashcards
What is the most commonly used drug in our society today?
Alcohol
What is the most frequently found drug in fatally injured drivers?
Alcohol
Why is alcohol classified as a drug?
It’s effects on the body’s central nervous system
How does alcohol affect the central nervous system?
Anesthetic- slowing the activity of the brain
What does alcohol do in your body?
It is not digested
Absorbed directly into the bloodstream
Goes to the part of the brain that control judgement and reasoning
What is euphoria?
A state in which a person has a false feeling of well-being and clarity
May cause people to take chances they normally would not
Alcohol
What important aspects of driving does alcohol impair?
Judgement and reasoning
What will a drunk person’s eyes likely do when driving?
Stare- rather than searching and scanning
What are inhibitions and how does alcohol affect them?
The inner forces of personality that restrain or hold back one’s impulsive behavior
Alcohol weakens these
What does alcohol do as far as physical abilities?
Muscular movements, reflexes, and balance begin to slow down
What physical skills, specifically, does alcohol affect when driving?
Reaction time, coordination, and seeing and speech abilities
What is blood alcohol concentration?
BAC
The amount of alcohol in the blood that can be determined by chemical tests
How much does each drink add to the BAC?
.02 or .03
What does the term “proof” mean?
Describes the strength of liquor
How much is a 100-proof drink?
50% alcohol
What factors affect BAC?
Amount of alcohol consumed
Amount of time over which a given amount of alcohol is consumed
Person’s body weight
To some extent- food
At what rate does alcohol leave the body?
3/4 of a standard drink an hour
What is an over-the-counter medicine?
Drug that can be obtained legally without a doctor’s perscription
What is a prescription med?
A drug that can only be purchased legally when ordered by a doctor
What is a depressant?
A drug that can slow down, or depress, the central nervous system
What are some common depressants and their uses?
Barbiturates, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers are used to relieve tension, calm nerves, and reduce high blood pressure
How can a depressant effect driving?
Lose inhibitions
What is a stimulant?
A drug that can speed up the central nervous system such as amphetamine
Often wares off and hurts driving skills- feel tired or drained
What is a hallucinogen?
A unpredictable, mind-altering drug that can alter personality and cause panic or terror
Distort sense of direction, distance, and time
What is marijuana?
A hallucinogen
What is the synergistic effect?
Combining drugs multiplies the effects
What is the implied consent law?
Anyone with a drivers license automatically consents to be tested for a BAC and other drug tests
If refused- can have license suspended
What is a DWI?
Driving while intoxicated
.08
What is DUI?
Driving under the influence
.05 or more
What punishments are there for DWI and DUI?
Suspend or revoke license
Pay a fine
Serve in prison
Most severe when in a collision
What is the zero-tolerance law?
Illegal for persons under the age of 21 to drive with any amount of alcohol in their system
What kind of chemical tests are there for intoxication?
Blood, urine, or breath
What is an intoxilyzer?
Breath into the tube to read alcohol BAC
What is field sobriety testing?
Series of on the spot roadside tests to judge a person’s impairment
What is the nystagmus test?
The involuntary jerking of the eyes as the person gazes to the side
Can help estimate BAC based on how early the jerking starts
ALSO DIVIDED ATTENTION IMPAIRMENT TEST
YUP
The influence of others of a similar age is…
Peer pressure
What is peer education?
Young people help other young people make decisions and determine goals
