Overview — Articles on Alcohol and Accidents
Following are two articles on "Alcohol and Accidents." Feel free to copy and use facts, perhaps for a letter to the editor of a newspaper in your area, or to read to a community group. Individuals need reminding of the risks of alcohol and driving, especially at holiday times of the year such as July 4th, Christmas and New Year's, etc., when traffic fatalities increase.
- Every day 45 Americans lose their lives and over 800 are injured in alcohol-related crashes, and one out of three people who are killed are not the driver. Forty percent of all traffic fatalities (the leading cause of accidental deaths) are alcohol related, and alcohol has been implicated in many other kinds of accidents as well, says the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). According to MADD, it only takes one drink to double the chances of a fatal car crash.
Although the impairment associated with alcohol consumption may vary among individuals, investigators have not found a threshold below which there is no impairment of any kind. The U.S. Department of Transportation states that some skills are significantly impaired by blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of 0.01% (which can be the result of 1/2 drink or less) and serious errors increase at levels of 0.025% (about one to one-and-a-half drinks of alcohol). The effects on the brain centers may last as long as five hours after alcohol has been ingested, long after the BAC has returned to normal. Divided attention deficits occur as low as 0.02% BAC, and when confronted with two or more tasks at the same time, one is favored over the other. For example, the impaired driver would tend to concentrate on steering, becoming less vigilant with respect to safety information.
Every driver needs to be sober, alert, clear thinking, even more so because of the many other drivers who will be on medications/drugs, sleep deprived, exceeding the speed limit, eating, talking on cell phones, reading, smoking, and a host of other distractions that add to the human error factor. To be safer and healthier, stay alert and lessen your risks — make those beverages non-alcoholic.
- There have been many displays of flags, ribbons, and banners since the September 11 tragedy. Yet, these demonstrations seem hypocritical when there are so many innocent victims injured and dying every day from irresponsible drivers. Many Americans regularly exceed the speed limit, do not stop at stop signs or lights, and think nothing of driving after having a glass of wine or beer. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has now chosen to use the term 'crash' not 'accident,' suggesting that most accidents are not 'accidental.'
Drivers who run through red lights are involved in 89,000 crashes yearly in the U.S., causing 82,000 injuries and nearly 1,000 deaths. Last year there were 41,600 traffic deaths in the U.S. (15,700 alcohol related), which includes over 900 traffic deaths in Virginia (341 were alcohol related). Excessive speed is a factor in one-third of all fatal crashes.
Investigators have not found an amount of alcohol where there is no impairment of any kind, and the effects on the brain centers may last as long as five hours after the alcohol has been ingested, even after the blood alcohol level has returned to normal. Few see this as a disregard of others' freedoms, yet alcohol-related crashes accidents kill the equivalent of two jumbo jets crashing and killing all the occupants every week!
The medical media are constantly reminding us of the importance of taking care of our emotional and mental health needs during times of stress. Dr. Zac Dameron, Director of the University of Virginia's Outpatient Psychiatry Services, observes that many people underestimate the adverse impact that alcohol can have on relationships and mental health. He suggests that those who are feeling the effects of an alcoholic beverage will not able to give their full attention to their family or friends, and often experience a loss of motivation. Alcohol is actually a stressor to the body.
A senseless death or injury that happens to someone you love is no less painful if it is from irresponsible driving or an act of terrorism. Show your love of country and freedom by obeying the laws that were made to protect all Americans.
Effect of One Drink —
The Effect of Low Blood Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
Any blood alcohol level, even a BAC of 0.02%, the result of just one drink, increases the risk of a crash. Alcohol impairs nearly every aspect of the brain's ability to process information, as well as the eye's ability to focus and react to light.
{University of California, Berkeley, Wellness Letter, Jan. 1998}
Among male drivers younger than age 21, a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of 0.02%, more than doubles the relative risk for a single-vehicle fatal crash. Drowsiness also increases crash risk, and BAC's as low as 0.01% increase susceptibility to sleepiness. Each year in the U.S., from one to two million people experience a head injury, and it is estimated that 200,000 of these people will die and 500,000 will be hospitalized. Traffic accidents, the cause of about two of three traumatic brain injuries (TBI's), are the main cause of death for 6 to 20 year olds, and in more than half of these accidents, the driver was under the influence of alcohol.
{"The Causes: Falls, Crashes, and Violence," laurushealth.com - May 2001}
Alcohol and crash risk: There is a slight dip in the curve around 0.02% BAC in a Grand Rapids study, leading some to believe that alcohol improved their driving performance at that level. However, this 'dip' is an artifact of the characteristics of drivers who drink often (but not heavily) and who, for other reasons are better-than-average drivers. Studies have shown that impairment in performance begins at levels even lower than 0.02% BAC.
{"Alcohol problems and aging," Research Monograph - 33, NIAAA}
Impairment in performance begins at below 0.02% BAC (1 to 1-1/2 drinks can result in this level).
{NIAAA - Alcohol problems and aging: 1998 U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services}
Alcohol may impair driving even after the blood alcohol levels have returned to zero. Long before alcohol erodes the liver or permanently pickles the brain, it may kill by a swifter mechanism: accidents.
{from the book "Your Good Health," Bennett, Goldfinger and Johnson}
Alcohol and Traffic Accidents
CBS news reported that 7.7% (almost 10%) of all the drivers on the road at any one time will be alcohol impaired (March 1997), and 67% of the drivers do not stop for stop signs.
{Federal Highway studies on driver behavior}
Alcohol is a factor in almost 50% of all accidental deaths.
{"Alcohol affects many kinds of accidents," by Nicolas Pace, MD, an expert in the field of alcohol research, The Daily Progress newspaper in Charlottesville, Virginia, Mar. 1993}
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, at least 700 diving accidents a year involve spinal cord injuries to the neck, and as many as half of these involve alcohol. The alcohol in a couple of beers can impair one's performance enough to create a significant risk of paralytic injury, warns M. W. Perrine, director and senior scientist of the Vermont Alcohol Research in Colchester.
{Washington Post Health, Aug. 1994}
More than four out of ten traffic fatalities involve alcohol, and the National Safety Council estimates that two in every five Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related traffic crash at some point in their lives. At night the traffic deaths are four times higher than during the day.
{Washington Post Health, Dec. 17, 1996}
The likelihood of having an "accident" increases with every drink a driver takes. One person is killed every 33 minutes in an alcohol-related accident — that's the equivalent of two jumbo jets crashing and killing all the occupants every week.
{"DUI Deaths Hit a Record Low," alcoholism.about.com, Sep. 2000}
Alcohol slows down mental alertness and acuity as well as mental processes. Physical coordination and reflexes are also impaired, which is why it is so dangerous to drive after drinking.
{"Foods to Avoid or Limit," Susan Lark, MD, HealthWorld Online, June 2001}
In one study, more than 38% of motor vehicle fatalities in 1997 involved alcohol use, and three out of every ten persons in the U.S. will in some way be involved in an alcohol-related crash during their lifetime.
{alcoholmd.com, Oct. 2001}
Fatally injured drivers who have been drinking are least likely to have been wearing safety belts.
{NHTSA, NCSA - 1999, MADD Online, Nov. 2001}
Among male drivers younger than age 21, a BAC increase of 0.02% more than doubles the relative risk of a single-vehicle crash.
{Alcohol and Transportation Safety, Alcohol Alert, NIAAA, Apr. 2001}
More than three-quarters of pedestrian fatalities occurred at non-intersections and most happened at night, according to a recent government analysis of over 20 years of accidents. Most pedestrian victims were men, and many were intoxicated at the time of the accident.
{The case for crossing at the light, Consumer Reports on Health, Jan. 2004}
There is a new order for the 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers stating that any paratrooper who drinks an alcoholic beverage cannot drive for six hours.
{Curb placed on drinking, Raleigh News and Observer newspaper, Aug. 2004}
Alcohol and Non-Traffic Accidents
What few people realize is that alcohol is not merely a risk on the road, but also at home, leading to accidents, abuse and divorce.
{Alternative Medicine, 'Definitive Guide to Cancer,' John Diamond, MD, Lee Cowden, MD, and Burton Goldburg, 1997}
Avoid drinking alcohol while boating and swimming, says Albemarle County spokesperson, Lee Catlin.
{"Sweating out summer safely," The Daily Progress, Charlottesville, Virginia, June 24, 1997}
Alcohol is a factor in about a third of fatal bicycle accidents. Besides impairing coordination and prolonging reaction time, drinking greatly reduces the likelihood that cyclists will wear helmets, said Guohua Li, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at John Hopkins University School of Medicine.
{"Drinking a risk for cyclists," Washington Post Health, Feb. 4, 1997}
According to the National Safety Council, 6.8 million Americans were injured at home in 1998, injuries severe enough to sideline them for a day.
{"Essentials of a well-stocked medicine cabinet," Sally Squires, Washington Post Health, Oct. 5, 1999}
Alcohol as a poison for children: For children, ingesting even a small amount of alcohol can be deadly, says Alan Woolf, MD, Director of the Massachusetts Poison Center at Boston's Children Hospital. When parents or grandparents and guests drink alcohol, children see it as harmless and they can be tempted to sample the left-over drinks that are left unattended. Alcohol should be locked up if it could be accessible to children. We are cautioned to be aware of the alcohol in other substances like vanilla extract, cologne, perfume, etc.
Exercise and alcohol do not mix. Alcohol is a depressant and will slow physiological and psychological systems, which retard performance. The use of alcohol increases the risk of injury, can hinder accuracy, balance, hand-eye coordination, reaction time and general coordination
{American College of Sportsmedicine, "Fitness," Parade magazine, Sep. 9, 1990}
Airline Pilots and Alcohol
Federal rules prohibit airline crew members from having more than a 0.04% blood alcohol level. They may not drink alcohol within eight hours before duty. Violations can lead to license revocation.
{"Pilot resigns amid probe into drinking," Atlanta, The Daily Progress, Charlottesville, Virginia newspaper, Aug. 1, 2002} Editor's comment: the 0.04% level can be the result of 1-2 alcoholic drinks. Even at 0.02% (one drink), decision making, judgment, etc., are negatively affected. Studies have shown that even after 12 hours, the brain of a pilot is still affected after drinking alcohol. This report seems to be a contradiction — if the pilot should not drink for eight hours before duty their BAC should be zero.
Alcohol and Violence
Alcohol is present in nearly 50% of homicides.
{U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Jan. 1989}
In 40% of the cases of violence in the home, alcohol was a factor.
{University of California, Berkeley, Wellness Letter, Apr. 1994}
Newsweek (1995) reports that 1.8 million women are abused every year. Alcohol and drugs are almost always a factor in wife beating.
{Ann Landers, Sep. 4, 1994}
The use of alcohol leads to family abuse. A large percentage of violent crimes, especially wife and child beatings and incest, are a direct consequence of drinking alcohol.
{Alcohol Health and Research World, Winter 1983-84; also William Glasser, MD, in "Taking Effective Control of Your Life."}
Falls - Elderly
Alcohol is a factor in 40% or more of falls, and the drinker is likely to be hurt more seriously than a nondrinker given the same traumatic circumstances.
{U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Jan. 1989}
Impairment in performance begins at lower levels than 0.02% BAC, and it not only appears to have an even greater impairment for older persons, but they are more vulnerable to injury. Alcohol consumed just before bedtime or during the night may lead to unsteadiness during nighttime trips to the bathroom, with increased risk of falls and associated injuries. Alcohol use also may affect the likelihood of having periodic leg movement when asleep, which may or may not disturb sleep.
{Alcohol Problems and Aging: Research Monograph - NIAAA, 1998}
In the U.S., more than 340,000 times a year, an elderly person falls and breaks a hip, and their life is changed forever. Often a hip fracture "is a major life event that may spell the beginning of the end" for an elderly patient, said Dr. Joseph Zuckerman, a New York bone specialist. One in four such patients die within a year, and for those who make it to rehabilitation, about half never recover the ability to walk alone, and about 40% must move permanently into a long-term facility. Editor's comment: The use of alcohol, even in small amounts, increases the risk of falling.
One out of three people 65 years and older fall each year says the New England Journal of Medicine, and of those who fall, 20 to 30% suffer moderate to severe injuries that reduce mobility and independence, and increase the risk of premature death
{American Journal of Health published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2000} Editor's comment: The use of alcohol increases the chance of falling.
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