Gourt > Society > Issues > Health > Alcohol > Drunk Driving (8)
Drunk driving is the act of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs to the degree that mental and motor skills are impaired. It is illegal in all jurisdictions within the U.S. The specific criminal offense is usually called driving under the influence alcohol and/or other drugs (DUI), and in some states driving while intoxicated (DWI), operating while impaired (OWI), or operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI). Such laws may also apply to boating or piloting aircraft.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 17,013 people died in 2003 in "alcohol-related" collisions, representing 40 percent of total traffic deaths in the United States. Over 500,000 people were injured in alcohol-related accidents in the US in 2003. "Alcohol-related" is defined to include any driver, passenger or pedestrian involved in a fatal crash who has any trace of alcohol or suspicion of alcohol usage. According to the NHTSA, no other country uses these criteria in their statistical computations.
Laws
All states in the U.S. designate a "per se" blood or breath alcohol level as the threshold point for an independent criminal offense. A second criminal offense of driving "under the influence" or "while impaired" is also usually charged in most states, with a presumption of guilt where the person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08 or greater (units of milligrams per deciliter, representing 8 g of alcohol in 100 deciliters of blood). Some states include a lesser charge — often known as driving while impaired — at a BAC of, for example, .05 or above but less than the legal limit for the more serious charge. Prior to wider emphasis on drinking and driving in the 1980s, standards of .10-.12 were in place. The legal limit for aircraft pilots and commercial drivers in the U.S. is set at 0.04. All states also observe a much stricter standard for drivers under the age of 21, commonly of .01-.02; these are often referred to as "Zero Tolerance" laws. More on [ Drunk driving (United States) ]
Alcoholism
Support Groups :: Substance Abuse
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Road Safety :: Roads and Highways
New drug being tested in Africa for river blindness
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:00:00 -0000
1 July 2009 -- The clinical trial of a drug that could eliminate river blindness is being launched in three African countries. Also known as onchocerciasis, this disease is one of the leading infectious causes of blindness across Africa.
Working relationship between the Russian Federation and WHO strengthened
Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0000
26 June 2009 -- Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO, today met Mr Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, during an official visit to the country. The visit has seen the strengthening of the working relationship between the Russian Federation and WHO.
Call to protect hospitals, schools from impact of disasters
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:00:00 -0000
18 June 2009 -- WHO and UNICEF today called on governments to strengthen risk reduction measures so that health and education systems are able to cope with disasters.
WHO welcomes sanofi-aventis's donation of vaccine
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:15:00 -0000
17 June 2009 -- WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan has welcomed the announcement by sanofi-aventis to donate 100 million doses of vaccine against the pandemic H1N1 2009 virus.
Pedestrians, cyclists among main road traffic crash victims
Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:00:00 -0000
15 June 2009 -- The first global assessment of road safety finds that almost half of the estimated 1.27 million people who die in road traffic crashes every year are pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists. While progress has been made towards protecting people in cars, the needs of these vulnerable groups of road users are not being met.
Greater equity in health should be a progress indicator
Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:00:00 -0000
15 June 2009 -- Greater equity in the health status of populations, within and between countries, should be regarded as a key measure of how we are making progress, said WHO Director-eneral Dr Margaret Chan today, speaking at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Americas Designated Drivers - Provides a sober driver to avoid DUI. Available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, nationwide.
Angel Outside My Window - Reviews realities of alcohol impaired driving, looks at pending legislation concerning drunk driving, and offers links to all fifty state legislatures.
Meta Description: [ This site reviews the realities of alcohol impaired driving, looks at pending legislation concerning drunk driving, offers links to all fifty state legislatures and other relevant web sites, and looks at the impact of drunk driving on a family in Ohio. ]
Arrive Alive - Aimed at enhancing awareness of all aspects of road safety in South Africa, including impaired driving.
Meta Description: [ Road safety information and education for better and safer road usage. ]
Blood Alcohol Content - Gives what BAC percentage exists after a user enters in data including what and how much alcohol is consumed, body weight, and other information.
Blood Alcohol Educator - Learn how gender, body weight, food, and what, how much, and how fast you drink can affect your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC).
Meta Description: [ The Century Council is funded by America's leading distillers to fight drunk driving and illegal underage drinking. Proven, innovative programs in alcohol education, law enforcement, legislation and retailer support, and a Hispanic anti-drunk-driving program are available nationwide at no cost. ]
Deadly Roads - Discusses the nature of hit-and-run crashes, many of which are alcohol related. Includes news and victim assistance resources.
Meta Description: [ A site dedicated to the memory of victims of hit and run accidents and hit-run crashes ]
Drinking and Driving - Evaluates prevention measures to reduce drunk driving, including license suspension or revovation, impounding or confiscating vehicle plates, enforcing open container laws, and increasing penalties such as fines and jail. Provided by SUNY Potsdam, a division of the State University of New York.
Meta Description: [ Driving while either intoxicated or drunk is dangerous and drivers with high blood alcohol content (BAC) are at increased risk of car accidents, highway injuries and vehicular deaths. Effective ways to reduce drunk driving and save lives are described ]
Drunk Driving Reform Initiative - A review of various initiatives proposed after the deaths of Sarah Towery and Chip Smith who were killed by a repeat drunk driver on March 21, 1999.
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DUI/DWI Offender Assessment Tests - Assessment tests for DUI/DWI offenders - The Driver Risk Inventory-II (DRI-II) and DRI-II Short Form are DUI/DWI assessment instruments or tests. The Reinstatement Review Inventory-II (RRI-II) is a screening test for applicants applying for reinstatement of their suspended or revoked driver's license.
Meta Description: [ 3 driver-related tests discussed: 1. Driver Risk Inventory-II, 2. DRI-II Short Form and 3. Reinstatement Review Inventory-II. ]
Jeffrey Perrotte's awareness site - Don't Drink and Drive - Jeff is passionate in his desire to use his mistakes as a way to save lives. Jeff continues to do everything that he can to heighten awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving.
Meta Description: [ Jeff is passionate in his desire to use his mistakes as a way to save lives. Jeff continues to do everything that he can to heighten awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving. ]
Plead Walk - Transcontinental walk to raise awareness of alcohol-related deaths and to promote prevention, legislation, and education to reduce tragedies resulting from alcohol.
Meta Description: [ Dale Swartzentruber's walk from Prudhoe Bay Alaska to Washington D.C to raise awareness of alcohol-related deaths and to promote prevention, legislation and education to reduce the loss of life and alcohol-related illness and tragedy. ]
Together Forever Changing - Lecturer and Humanitarian, Philip J. Rappa speaks from the heart about the dire effects of drinking and driving, handicapped awareness and sensitivity.
Your Role as a Responsible Bartender - Understanding legal obligations and tips on how to handle difficult situations.
Meta Description: [ Helping bartenders with alcohol awareness and drinking and driving prevention. ]
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