Drunk driving myths, precautions, and red flags
This post is the sixth and final one in a series about keeping your family and possessions safe this holiday season.
By Lt. Craig Anderson, CSPD Public Information Officer
Fatal road accidents tend to hit their annual peak between midnight and 5 a.m. on New Year’s Day. What a potentially horrific way to bring in a new year.
The most troubling thing is that we could avoid many of these accidents if motorists – and those around them – recognized the red flags and took preventive action.
Persistent Myths
Stubborn myths about alcohol and its effect on the body contribute significantly to the problem. Let’s start by dispelling three of those dangerous misconceptions:
MYTH 1: If you’ve had too much to drink, coffee will sober you up.
Fact: Only time can make you sober again. It takes your body about two hours to break down the alcohol after consuming one pint of beer. It takes about one hour to break down a small, five-ounce glass of wine.
MYTH 2: Hard liquor is more intoxicating than beer or wine.
Fact: A 12-ounce can of beer, a five-ounce glass of wine, and a 12-ounce wine cooler contain the same amount of alcohol and the same intoxication potential as 1½ ounces of hard liquor.
MYTH 3: Someone who has drunk too much looks intoxicated.
Fact: A person’s physical appearance can be misleading. A single drink can impair someone’s ability to drive. When someone drinks, the first thing affected is their judgment. Important motor skills are next.
Hosting a party?
If you plan to host a New Year’s Eve party, we recommend taking some common-sense steps to curb excessive drinking and to help your designated drivers stay sober.
Drinking isn’t mandatory for having a good time, so don’t force alcohol on your guests. Offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages for designated drivers and others who prefer not to consume alcohol. Carbonation encourages the bloodstream to absorb alcohol faster, so use non-carbonated bases such as fruit juice for alcohol-laced punches.
It’s also a good idea to avoid serving too many salty snacks, which tend to make people thirsty and want to drink more.
Before your party begins, ask your guests to appoint one or more designated drivers, who should agree to drink only non-alcoholic beverages. If certain guests are known to drink in excess, inform them that drinking and driving are unacceptable at your party.
Don’t let guests mix their drinks. Choosing a reliable bartender will help you keep track of the size and number of drinks your guests consume. Don’t allow anyone under the legal drinking age to consume or serve alcohol, either.
About 90 minutes before your party is scheduled to end, close the bar and serve dessert treats with coffee. But remember: time alone sobers up those who have been drinking.
Drunk driver warning signs
If you witness any of these driver behaviors, note the license plate number and vehicle description and report it to the proper authorities. DO NOT attempt to stop the driver on your own:
- Wide turns.
- Straddling lanes or driving on the centerline.
- Drifting or moving in a straight line at a slight angle to the roadway.
- Driving with the headlights off at night.
- The driver shows signs of being drunk such as eye fixation or face close to the windshield.
- You see a driver drinking.
- Driving below the speed limit, erratic braking, or stopping without cause.
- A slow response to traffic signals, including sudden stops or delayed starts.
- Nearly striking objects or curbs.
- Weaving or zigzagging across the road.
- Driving on the wrong side of the road or completely off the roadway.
- Rapid acceleration or deceleration.
The College Station Police Department will be actively enforcing alcohol-related offenses throughout the holiday season and especially on New Year’s Eve.
We wish you a safe and happy new year!
About the Blogger
Lt. Craig Anderson is in his 30th year with the College Station Police Department.
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