Drugged
and Drunk Driving
During the upcoming holiday season there will be invitations
extended to social events through out the community. Many of
us will enjoy the opportunity to visit with our family and friends. While at
these events many of our brethren will enjoy the
environment and indulge in consuming one or two drinks of “Holiday Cheer” or
simply “drink a few beers,” and others will “close the place down.”
Two-thirds of American adults consume beverages containing ethyl
alcohol. Up to 10% of American adults in the U.S. abuse alcohol and acute
alcohol intoxication is associated with a number of complications including
traffic accidents and domestic violence. Binge drinking, which is generally
defined as consuming more than 5 drinks on a single occasion, generally
results in acute intoxication.
The principal concern regarding drugged driving is that driving under
the influence of any drug that acts on the brain could impair one’s motor
skills, reaction time, and judgment. Drugged driving is a health concern
because it puts not only the driver at risk, but passengers and others who
share the road. In recent years, drugs that act on the brain other than
alcohol have increasingly been recognized as hazards to road traffic safety.
research examining these drugs indicates that marijuana is the most
prevalent illegal drug detected in impaired drivers, fatally injured
drivers, and motor vehicle crash victims. A variety of other drugs, such as
benzodiazepines, cocaine, opiates, and amphetamines have also been reported
in fatal and nonfatal motor vehicle crashes.
In 2004, out of all traffic fatalities in Nebraska, 31% involved
individuals with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. The
legal limit for BAC is currently .08 in all states in the US. The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drugs are used by
approximately 10 to 22 percent of drivers involved in crashes, often in
combination with alcohol.
So, enjoy this time with family and friends. If you happen to “have a
few drinks,” consider others out there on the road and allow someone else to
drive you home. Let this season be a season of cheer for everyone!
Best Wishes to you,
Thomas N. Fennessy, M.D
