Roadside Chat - driving buzzed is not a reindeer game
If you’ve seen the classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” you’ll know that reindeer games are very serious business at the North Pole. Just like Santa searched for the best and brightest to guide his sleigh, you’ll want to find a safe and sober ride home from your holiday festivities.
Even a relatively small amount of alcohol can cause your judgment to be impaired and impact your driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists these predictable effects.
|
BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION |
PREDICTABLE EFFECTS ON DRIVING |
|
.02 |
Decline in visual functions, a decline in ability to perform two tasks at the same time |
|
.05 |
Reduced coordination, reduced ability to track moving objects, difficulty steering, reduced response to emergency driving situations |
|
.08 |
Concentration, short-term memory loss, speed control, reduced information processing capability, impaired perception |
|
.10 |
Reduced ability to maintain lane position and brake appropriately |
|
.15 |
Substantial impairment in vehicle control, attention to driving task, and in necessary visual and auditory information processing |
How will you go down in history? https://youtu.be/MkW2nFHh3hs
In 2021, there have been 328 deaths in traffic crashes. That is an increase of 10 since last Friday. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, go to the daily fatality report at https://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/stats/daily.pdf