Drinking and driving

Ethanol is readily measured in the blood and reported as milligrams per milliliter (mg per ml) of blood. Laws regulating drinking and driving identify a specific blood alcohol concentration (BAC) as unacceptable when operating a motor vehicle. Currendy most states set 0.08 or 0.1, which is equivalent to 80 mg/100 ml or 80 mg/dl of blood. Alcohol content of exhaled breath is about 0.05% of the BAC. 

There are no known long-term psychological effects from creatine supplementation. However, at least one study has linked the use of performance-enhancing supplements to an increased incidence of health risk behaviors. The 2001 study, which surveyed approximately 500 men and women between the ages of 17 and 35, found that study participants who took ergogenic nutritional supplements such as creatine were more likely to get drunk, drink and drive, and become involved in physical confrontations. However, since the research was limited by the fact that it involved a very specific population (subjects were new recruits entering military service), further study is needed to determine if ergogenic aids such as creatine are directly linked to an increase in these behaviors. 

Breath alcohol analysis for drink-and-driving legislation... 

Greening, L. and Stopplebeim, L. (2000). Young drivers Health Attitudes and Intentions to Drink and Drive. ]. Adolesc. Health 27, 94-101. 

It is good to make rules about when and where not to drink. For example, a person who uses alcohol to relax after a hard day shouldn t drink at the end of an easy one, or before a day is done. No one should drink and drive. 

Billboards are an example of mass media prevention efforts. This roadside sign in France reminds motorists of the dangers of drinking and driving. 

Finally, some adolescents abuse steroids as part of a pattern of high-risk behaviors. These adolescents also take risks such as drinking and driving, carrying a gun, not wearing a helmet on a motorcycle, and abusing other illicit drugs. 

This slowing of the transfer of nerve information to the brain may not be a big problem to someone having a glass of wine with dinner at home, but when a person has a few drinks and drives a car, the consequences can be serious. If a deer runs in front of the car, we want the put on the brake signal sent from eyes to brain and then from brain to foot as quickly as possible. 

This problem concerning drinking and driving has always been a favorite with the students. It is quite straight forward. 

The effects of isoniazid 750 mg with alcohol 0.5 g/kg were examined in 100 subjects given various psychomotor tests, and in a further 50 drivers using a driving simulator. No major interaction was seen in the psychomotor tests, but the number of drivers who drove off the road on the simulator was increased. " There would therefore appear to be some extra risks for patients taking isoniazid who drink and drive, but the effect does not appear to be large. Patients should nevertheless be warned. 

Problem 9.2 I Being good to your liver (Don t drink and drive)... 

Continuity Finally, the estimation of the potential for behavioural adaptation should consider the extent to which a road safety countermeasure or policy is expected to exist over time. Obviously, if a policy acts as a shortterm intervention for example, a targeted enforcement blitz on drinking and driving during the Christmas season, it will be less likely to result in behavioural adaptation than one that is expected to exist for multiple years or permanently. Policymakers should, therefore, include an estimation of policy duration or continuity when estimating potential behavioural adaptation effects. 

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