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Understanding Impaired Driving: Effects, Consequences, and Myths

This session aims to raise awareness about the effects of alcohol, drugs, and medication on driving, while debunking myths and educating participants about the personal, social, financial, and legal consequences of impaired driving. It also explores alternative solutions and emphasizes individual and collective responsibility.

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Understanding Impaired Driving: Effects, Consequences, and Myths

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  1. UPDATE – November 2019

  2. SESSION OVERVIEW Part I

  3. Objectives Take into account the effects of alcohol, drugs and medication on a person’s ability to drive Recognize the personal, social, financial and legal consequences of driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs and medication Debunk certain myths concerning the effects of alcohol, drugs and medication on driving a road vehicle Plan for alternative solutions to driving while impaired

  4. Main Objectives Raise participants’ awareness about the effects of alcohol, drugs and medication on one’s ability to drive, encourage responsible behaviours and prevent repeat offences

  5. Session Outline • Impaired driving in Québec • Myths and beliefs • Alcohol, drugs, medication and driving a road vehicle • Legal consequences of impaired driving • Social, financial and personal consequences of impaired driving • Another look at myths and beliefs • Alternative solutions and individual and collective responsibility • Evaluation of the session

  6. SESSION CONTENTS Part II

  7. Theme 1 Impaired Driving in Québec

  8. The Situation in QuébecImpaired Driving Each year on average, from 2013 to 2017, accidents caused by drinking and driving resulted in: • 100 deaths • 220 seriously injured victims • 1,800 slightly injured victims Each year, from 2013 to 2017, with regard to impaired driving: • There were 11,000 to 13,000 convictions • 83% of these convictions were for first offences The repeat offence rate for such convictions dropped from 17.9% in 2013 to 15.7% in 2017.

  9. The Situation in Québec (cont.)Impaired Driving According to a first survey conducted in 2017: • 36% of drivers who had taken drugs in the previous year admitted to having driven a vehicle after taking drugs. • 86% of these cases involved cannabis In a second survey conducted in 2017: • 11% of drivers admitted to having used cannabis, cocaine or amphetamines at least once in the previous 12 months • 36% drove a vehicle after having used drugs • 6% admitted to getting into a vehicle with a driver who had used drugs

  10. Theme 2 Myths and Beliefs

  11. Test Your Knowledge People have a lower risk of having an impaired ability to drive if they drink: Beer Wine Liquor A “cooler” type beverage with low alcohol content None of the above

  12. Test Your Knowledge (cont.) A good way to reduce the level of alcohol in the blood is to: Drink coffee Eat a good meal Wait for the liver to do its work Take a cold shower Dance, play sports, sweat

  13. Test YourKnowledge (cont.) 3. The ability to drive can be impaired starting with a blood alcohol concentration of: 20 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (0.02) 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (0.05) 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (0.08)

  14. Test YourKnowledge (cont.) 4. Which of the following effects can be attributed to the consumption of cannabis? Difficulty concentrating and remaining attentive to the road environment Slower reaction time and reflexes, and unsure driving Difficulty keeping the vehicle on a straight path High-risk behaviour such as speeding Decreased ability to cope with the unexpected

  15. Test Your Knowledge (cont.) TRUE OR FALSE 5. Police are unable to detect drivers who are impaired by drugs. 6. I can fool police officers’ tests if I am high. 7. I am a better driver after smoking a joint.

  16. Test Your Knowledge (cont.) 8. How many deaths can be attributed to drinking and driving each year in Québec? 50 100 400

  17. Test Your Knowledge (cont.) 9. What is the estimated minimum cost of a first impaired driving offence? Approximately $500 Approximately $1,800 Approximately $3,000

  18. Test Your Knowledge (cont.) 10. Under what circumstances can people be found guilty of an impaired driving offence? When their blood alcohol concentration is equal to or over 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (0.08) When their ability to drive is impaired by alcohol, drugs or medication If they refuse to provide a breath sample to a police officer who has ordered them to do so All of the above

  19. Test Your Knowledge (cont.) 11. What percentage of drivers convicted of impaired driving are repeat offenders? 20% 70% 15%

  20. Test Your Knowledge (cont.) 12. List two alternative solutions to impaired driving. This will be covered in Theme 7

  21. Theme 3 Alcohol, Drugs, Medication and Driving a Road Vehicle

  22. The Transformation of Alcohol in the Body Absorption Diffusion Elimination Liver (90%) Intestine (90%) 15 mg/h

  23. Absorption of Alcohol Alcohol is mainly absorbed by the intestine. Its absorption is influenced by a number of factors: • The amount consumed • How quickly it is consumed • Whether the person has eaten • Certain biological particularities • The person’s psychological state: stress, fatigue, etc.

  24. Diffusion of Alcohol Alcohol is distributed to all of the organs in the body. Once it reaches the brain, it acts on the central nervous system (the decision-making and coordination centre). Its diffusion is influenced in particular by: • The concentration of alcohol in the blood • The person’s weight and percentage of body fat • Gender • Age

  25. Elimination of Alcohol The liver alone eliminates 90% of the alcohol consumed. Perspiration and the lungs and kidneys take care of the rest. Only time reduces the concentration of alcohol in the blood.

  26. The Effects of Alcohol on Driving a Road Vehicle Affects a person’s ability to drive Diminishes a person’s ability to make decisions Increases the risk of an accident Varies according to the blood alcohol concentration

  27. Decision-Making Process

  28. Effects of Alcohol on Driving a Road Vehicle Based on Blood Alcohol Concentration 0.02% Typical effects • Some loss of judgment • Relaxation • Slight increase in body temperature • Mood changes Effects on driving • Reduced visual functioning (slower detection of moving objects) • Reduced ability to perform two tasks at the same time (for example, keeping a vehicle on a straight path and remaining attentive to the road environment)

  29. Effects of Alcohol on Driving a Road Vehicle Based on Blood Alcohol Concentration (cont.) 0.05% Typical effects • Altered judgment • A “buzz” • Decreased alertness • Lowered inhibition Effects on driving • Reduced coordination • Reduced ability to detect moving objects • Difficulty steering • Reduced ability to react to emergency situations (for example, if a pedestrian suddenly appears)

  30. Effects of Alcohol on Driving a Road Vehicle Based on Blood Alcohol Concentration (cont.) 0.08% Typical effects • Loss of muscle coordination (balance, speech, vision, hearing, reaction time) • Altered judgment, self-control, reasoning and memory Effects on driving • Difficulty concentrating • Loss of short-term memory • Problems controlling speed • Reduced ability to process information (noticing signs and signals, visual scanning) • Altered perception

  31. Effects of Alcohol on Driving a Road Vehicle Based on Blood Alcohol Concentration (cont.) 0.10% Typical effects • Obvious deterioration of control and reaction time • Difficulty speaking, poor coordination, slower thinking Effects on driving • Reduced ability to keep a vehicle on a straight path and brake adequately

  32. Effects of Alcohol on Driving a Road Vehicle Based on Blood Alcohol Concentration (cont.) 0.15% Typical effects • Muscle control well below normal • Possible nausea and vomiting • Significant loss of balance Effects on driving • Significant inability to control the vehicle, to pay attention to driving tasks and to process visual and auditory information

  33. Relative Risk of a Fatal Collision Based on Blood Alcohol Concentration and Age BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION

  34. Main Effects of Drugs on Driving a Road Vehicle 1 CNS: central nervous system

  35. Main Effects of Drugs on Driving a Road Vehicle (cont.)

  36. Main Effects of Drugs on Driving a Road Vehicle (cont.)

  37. Main Effects of Drugs on Driving a Road Vehicle (cont.)

  38. Main Effects of Drugs on Driving a Road Vehicle (cont.)

  39. Main Effects of Drugs on Driving a Road Vehicle (cont.)

  40. Main Effects of Drugs on Driving a Road Vehicle (cont.)

  41. Main Effects of Drugs on Driving a Road Vehicle (cont.) Some types of medication can impair one’s ability to drive by causing problems with: • alertness and attention • vision • behaviour • balance Important: Consult a health care professional (physician or pharmacist)

  42. Theme 4 Legal Consequences of Impaired Driving

  43. Consequences – Criminal Code Prohibition from driving Fines Imprisonment (in certain situations) Criminal record

  44. Consequences – Highway Safety Code 1 Program to assess and reduce the risk of impaired driving Revocation of the offender’s driver’s licence PERRCCA1 assessment Alcohol ignition interlock device Prohibition from putting into operation, acquiring, renting, leasing, registering or putting into storage a road vehicle

  45. Theme 5 Social, Financial and Personal Consequences of Impaired Driving

  46. Social and Personal Consequences of an Impaired Driving Offence • For drivers, the consequences are multiple and varied: • Consequences of the prohibition from driving on their professional, personal and family life • Limitations related to the use of an alcohol ignition interlock device • Social judgment • Managing emotions

  47. Financial Consequences of a 1st Offence CONSEQUENCES • Minimum fine for impaired driving • Summary assessment • Alcofrein program • Comprehensive assessment • (if the driver fails the summary assessment) • Alcohol ignition interlock device • (after a minimum driving prohibition period) • Cost to get a new licence following a conviction under the Criminal Code • In addition to: • Legal fees • Higher personal automobile insurance premiums AMOUNTS (~$) • $1,000 • $345 • $150 • $816 (in certain cases) • $1,200 to $5,300 based on the situation • $300 to $400 • Variable costs Minimum = $1,800

  48. Financial Consequences • First offence: from $1,800 to over $10,000 • Second offence: from $5,700 to over $12,000 (+ alcohol ignition interlock device for life, in certain cases) • Third offence: from $3,200 to over $8,500 (+ alcohol ignition interlock device for life)

  49. Theme 6 Another Look at Myths and Beliefs

  50. Another Look at Myths and Beliefs Check your answers • Question 1: e (None of the above) • Question 2: c (Wait for the liver to do its work) • Question 3: a (20 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (0.02)) • Question 4: a, b, c, e TRUE or FALSE • Question 5: FALSE • Question 6: FALSE • Question 7: FALSE

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