Tips to Avoid Impaired Driving

As we see in the news so often, impaired driving is a leading cause of road accidents and death in North America. Knowing and following simple steps of prevention is the best way to avoid unnecessary heartache and pain.

What is impaired driving?

Impaired driving involves anything that prevents a person from having complete awareness of the road and surroundings while driving. The common form of impaired driving is when someone drives when drunk or while high due to drugs. This poses a danger to the driver as well as everybody else on the road. These impaired drivers get charged with driving under the influence or DUI for short.

Impaired driving means driving or operating any vehicle (this includes cars, trucks, snowmobiles, and boats) while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The consequences are serious, and it is a crime under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Understand the effects of drugs and alcohol

Knowledge is power. Find out from your doctor or pharmacist or read online to learn about the side effects related to driving when using prescription medication.

Read the details on the package of any prescription drugs or over-the-counter medicine, including allergy and cold medications.

Keep in mind that fatigue and stress can affect your ability to drive safely.

The best way to avoid the consequences of DUI is to make simple arrangements that keep you from driving while you consumed alcohol or drugs:

Take responsibility

Even before you go out, decide who will be the driver by choosing a designated driver. Ensure that person doesn’t drink any alcoholic beverages.

If nobody in your group is sober, call a taxi.

If needed, take the keys from the person who is drunk.

When Throwing a Party

Serve plenty of healthy food. A stomach that is full is likely to slow the rate of alcohol absorption.

Offer non-alcoholic beverages. Water, juice, soda pop – give your guests plenty of alternatives. And never pressure guests to drink alcohol.

Stop serving alcohol well before the party ends. Give your guests an extra hour or two without alcohol before they head out the door.

Arrange alternate transportation. Pay attention to your guests’ alcohol intake and behavior. If someone has had a lot to drink or seems even the slightest bit tipsy, call a cab or set up a ride with a sober driver.

Understand the massive implications of these actions

You could:

  • Lose your license
  • Have your vehicle impounded
  • Need to attend an education or treatment program
  • Be fined upon conviction
  • Spend time in jail

While the hazards of drunk driving are all over the media, it has not prevented all drivers from driving while intoxicated. Understanding and following the rules is the best way to prevent avoidable tragedies.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol: Consequences and Effects

Drinking and driving is likely to lead to devastating and far-reaching impacts for you, your family, and anyone who happens to be on the road with you.

Unfortunately, despite public awareness campaigns, warnings, and stiff penalties for violations, people will still get behind the wheel of their vehicles while intoxicated.

The consequences of driving under the influence may include fines, demerit points, loss of license, and jail time. The best way to avoid this is to understand the serious consequences of drinking and driving, as well as how you can keep yourself out of circumstances of violating the law.

The Effects of alcohol on driving

Driving involves focus, attention to detail, and coordination. For safe driving on the roads, the driver is expected to consider many unknown factors that need a quick response and split-second decisions. Alcohol in the body, when it exceeds a certain level, is known to impact this decision-making capacity that is possible when there is no influence of alcohol in the system.

The effects of alcohol that could lead to dangerous consequences include:

  • A false sense of security and control
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Increased risk-taking
  • Difficulty maintaining a constant speed
  • Slower reaction times
  • Poor coordination
  • Sudden movements
  • Drowsiness

Legal Consequences of Drinking and Driving:

Taking the example of Ontario, Canada, here are some answered by https://torontodui.com/ to frequently asked questions:

Do you go to jail for drunk driving?

First-time offenders usually receive only a fine. However, repeat offenders can receive jail time.

How much jail time do you get for drinking and driving?

In Ontario, second-time offenders can receive 30 days in jail, while third-time offenders can receive 120 days in prison for drinking and driving.

What is the limit for drunk driving?

Ontario drivers are considered over the allowed limit if they exceed 80 mg of alcohol in 100 mL of blood. This makes them liable to get a drunk driving charge.

What happens the first time someone gets a DUI?

A first-time DUI offense in Ontario carries a fine of up to $1,000 and may cause you to lose your license for up to 30 days.

Can I drink a pint and drive?

Generally, people can drink one pint of beer and not go over the 80 limit. However, it is important to know that those who weigh less than normal may still go over 80 after one pint.

What happens if you get caught drunk driving?

The arresting officer can bring you to the police station to undergo a pair of breathalyzer tests. If you test positive, you will face charges from there.

It is important to know that just because a person can function well after drinking doesn’t mean that they are not at risk of showing high levels of alcohol in their system when tested.