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Posted in Blog on June 25, 2019
The term buzzed driving describes a driver exhibiting signs of impairment from alcohol or opiates while behind the wheel of a vehicle. Referring to impaired driving as buzzed driving tries to reduce the apparent severity of the crime. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 2,597 people died in just the month of December (2010), with 775 deaths involving impaired drivers.
Buzzed driving, impaired driving, or driving under the influence, all describe drivers who lack the necessary awareness to avoid accidents.
The signs of alcohol or opiate impairment vary from person to person. How much alcohol, or drugs, it takes to develop a buzz also varies depending on many factors. When they ate last, how quickly they consumed the substance, how much they weigh, their gender, and details about their metabolism all play a role.
After consuming any amount of alcohol or taking opiates, drivers should hesitate to operate a motor vehicle. This is a time to secure a safe and sober ride.
Individuals who partake of alcohol or opiates find several symptoms contribute to what they describe as their buzz.
Each of these symptoms demonstrates impairment, but seldom does one-person experience all of them.
The University of Oklahoma Department of Medicine created a chart to show impairment and BAC levels.
A recent study at the University of California, San Diego, found startling results. Drivers with blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of just 0.01 percent have different driving patterns than sober drivers. These buzzed drivers speed more often, have increased accidents and wear seatbelts less frequently than sober drivers.
Drivers under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol level greater than zero drive illegally. Even one drink for someone underage and they face charges and fines. When convicted of driving under the influence, drivers face up to a year in prison and fines up to $2,500.
Buzzed drivers face fines, prison time, and cause accidents injuring themselves and others more often than when they drive sober. Avoid buzzed driving to stay safe.
Buzzed driving is dangerous. No truly safe level of alcohol or opiate ingestion exists for drivers, especially for those under 21 years old. The responsibility lies with the driver to not get behind the wheel when impaired, but friends do not let friends drive buzzed.