Did you know that even when you don't feel drunk, as long as there's alcohol in your body, it can affect your reaction time?
The human brain has to deal with many things and process countless data all the time. Alcohol affects attentiveness and one’s ability to make quick decisions on the road, react to changes in the environment and execute specific, often difficult manoeuvres behind the wheel.
Effect of alcohol on reaction times
Alcohol is water-soluble and is readily absorbed in the blood. More blood is supplied to the brain than to other organs, with the result that alcohol impairs your brain function within minutes.
Simple reaction times (where the subject attempts to detect a stimulus and respond as quickly as possible) appear to be less affected by lower BACs than do complex reaction times (where the subject must discriminate between stimuli and respond appropriately.)
To put the numbers in perspective, the reaction time for fighter pilots is typically between 200 and 225 milliseconds, while that for a sober driver is around 250 milliseconds.
So what does slower reaction time mean?
If your BAC is 0.08g/100ml, you are four times more likely to crash than if you are sober. At a BAC of 0.12g/100ml, the chances are 15 times more likely and at a BAC of 0.16g/100ml, the chances of crashing are 30 times more than if you are sober!
Drink driving penalties
Drink driving is a very serious offence and the penalties are severe. Under the Road Traffic Act, a person can be convicted of drink driving if:
1. The driver is found to have more than the legal limit of 35 micrograms (ug) of alcohol per 100ml of breath, or 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
2. The alcohol level is under the legal limit, but the driver does not have proper control of the vehicle as a result of alcoholic intoxication.
First conviction: Fine up to $5,000 or imprisonment up to six months.
Second conviction: Fine up to $10,000 and imprisonment up to one year.
Repeated conviction: Drink driver faces enhanced punishment of up to three times the penalty, a maximum $30,000 fine and three years' imprisonment.
Offenders causing death or serious injury can also be caned up to six strokes. In addition, convicted offenders will be disqualified from driving for at least a year. Driving licenses disqualified for more than a year will be automatically revoked.
Tips to keep you safe
If you are heading out to drink, here are some tips that can keep you out of danger. Firstly, do not take the risk, make use of public transport (bus/train/taxi) or let someone else who didn't drink drive instead.
Drink driving is a very serious offence and the penalties are severe. Under the Road Traffic Act, a person can be convicted of drink driving if:
1. The driver is found to have more than the legal limit of 35 micrograms (ug) of alcohol per 100ml of breath, or 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
2. The alcohol level is under the legal limit, but the driver does not have proper control of the vehicle as a result of alcoholic intoxication.
First conviction: Fine up to $5,000 or imprisonment up to six months.
Second conviction: Fine up to $10,000 and imprisonment up to one year.
Repeated conviction: Drink driver faces enhanced punishment of up to three times the penalty, a maximum $30,000 fine and three years' imprisonment.
Offenders causing death or serious injury can also be caned up to six strokes. In addition, convicted offenders will be disqualified from driving for at least a year. Driving licenses disqualified for more than a year will be automatically revoked.
Tips to keep you safe
If you are heading out to drink, here are some tips that can keep you out of danger. Firstly, do not take the risk, make use of public transport (bus/train/taxi) or let someone else who didn't drink drive instead.
However, if you are driving, it's best to stay clear of any forms of alcohol and have a mocktail or juice instead!
Remember, alcohol and driving does not go together. When drinking alcohol, driving becomes dangerous and is potentially lethal. It takes just 276 milliseconds between a great night out and a night filled with regret.
Don't Drive to Drink. And You'll Never Drink and Drive. Click here for more tips to enjoy your great night out!
Remember, alcohol and driving does not go together. When drinking alcohol, driving becomes dangerous and is potentially lethal. It takes just 276 milliseconds between a great night out and a night filled with regret.
Don't Drive to Drink. And You'll Never Drink and Drive. Click here for more tips to enjoy your great night out!
