- Blood Alcohol Concentration
- Binge Alcohol Concentration
- Blue Algae Concentration
- Blood Alcohol Collection
From The CDL Manual
The amount of alcohol in your body is commonly measured by the bloodalcohol concentration (BAC).
- Your weight
- These are all things that determine your BAC
- How fast you drink
- The amount of alcohol you drink
From The CDL Manual
What determines BAC:
BAC is determined by the amount of alcohol you drink (more alcohol means a higher BAC), how fast you drink (faster drinking means a higher BAC) and your weight (a small person does not have to drink as much to reach the same BAC).
- 12-oz glass of 12% wine
- 1 1/2-oz shot of 80-proof liquor
- 12-oz glass of 5% beer
- 5-oz glass of 12% wine
From The CDL Manual
What constitutes a “drink”: A “drink” refers to the alcohol in a drink that affects human performance. It does not make any difference whether the alcohol comes from a couple of beers or two glasses of wine or two shots of hard liquor. All the following drinks contain the same amount of alcohol:
- 12-oz. glass of 5% beer
- 5-oz. glass of 12% wine
- 1 1/2-oz. shot of 80-proof liquor
- Judgement and self-control are decreased
- The person will eventually pass out
- It can keep drivers from knowing they are getting drunk
- Increased alcohol intake will affect all these things
From The CDL Manual
Alcohol and the brain:
Alcohol affects more and more of the brain as BAC builds up. The first part of the brain affected controls judgment and self control. One of the bad things about this is it can keep drinkers from knowing they are getting drunk. As BAC continues to build up, muscle control, vision and coordination are affected more and more. Eventually, a person will pass out.
- A few beers are the same as a few shots of whiskey or a few glasses of wine.
- Only time will help a drinker sober up – other methods just do not work.
- Everyone who drinks is affected by alcohol.
- Coffee and a little fresh air will help a drinker sober up.
From The CDL Manual
FALSE
- Alcohol increases your ability to drive.
- Some people can drink a lot and not be affected by it.
- If you eat a lot first, you will not get drunk.
- Coffee and a little fresh air will help a drinker sober up.
- Stick with beer – it is not as strong as wine or whiskey.
- Running over the curb
- Driving too fast or too slow
- Driving in the wrong lane
- These things are all serious driving errors that can be caused by alcohol
From The CDL Manual
How Alcohol Affects Driving:
All drivers are affected by drinking alcohol. Alcohol affects judgment, vision, coordination and reaction time. It causes serious driving errors, such as:
- Increased reaction time to hazards.
- Driving too fast or too slow.
- Driving in the wrong lane.
- Running over the curb.
- Weaving.
- Only after driving for 8 hours
- It is expressly prohibited
- Late at night
- Early in the morning
From The CDL Manual
Besides alcohol, other legal and illegal drugs are being used more often. Laws prohibit the possession or use of many drugs while on duty. They prohibit being under the influence of any “controlled substance,” an amphetamine (including “pep pills” and “bennies”), methamphetamine, narcotics or any other substance that can make the driver unsafe.
- Rest
- Cool air
- A pot of coffee
- Pep pills
From The CDL Manual
Pay attention to warning labels of legitimate drugs and medicines and to doctor’s orders regarding possible effects. Stay away from illegal drugs. Do not use any drug that hides fatigue — the only cure for fatigue is rest.
- Methamphetamines
- Amphetamines
- Mixing drugs with driving is never recommended
- Over-the-counter cold medicines
From The CDL Manual
Pay attention to warning labels of legitimate drugs and medicines and to doctor’s orders regarding possible effects. Stay away from illegal drugs. Do not use any drug that hides fatigue — the only cure for fatigue is rest. Alcohol can make the effects of other drugs much worse. The safest rule is do not mix drugs with driving at all.
- Ask your dispatcher for the day off
- Drink a lot of coffee until you feel better
- Drive to the nearest place where you can safely stop until you feel you can drive safely
- Immediately call for an ambulance
From The CDL Manual
Illness —
Once in a while, you may become so ill that you cannot operate a motor vehicle safely. If this happens, do not drive. However, in case of an emergency, you may drive to the nearest place where you can safely stop.