Chapter 12

Difference between DUI and DWi and what the limits are for each one for an adult and adolescent

DUI (Driving Under the Influence)

• Driving while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs.

• Usually applies when a driver’s ability to drive safely is affected.

DWI (Driving While Intoxicated)

• Refers to driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above the legal limit.

• In Rhode Island driver’s ed, the terms are often used interchangeably, but know the BAC limits.

BAC Limits

Adults (21 and older)

• DUI/DWI: 0.08% BAC or higher

Adolescents (Under 21)

• 0.02% BAC or higher

• Rhode Island has a zero-tolerance law for underage drinking and driving

Know how the body is affected after 1,2,3,4,5, or 12 drinks and what functions are affected

1. BAC (0.2-0.3%) Inhibitions are lowered

2. BAC .04-.05% Reaction time will be slower

3. BAC .06-.07 Judgement is not sound

4. BAC .08-.09% Hearing speech vision and balance are all affected

5. BAC .10-.11 Most behaviors are affected

6. 12 BAC .30% coma or death

How long does it take most adult to eliminate most of the alcohol from a single drink

1 hour

Factors that affect BAC level as well as the meaning of BAC

Gender, Body weight, strength of drink, size of drink, food, speed of drinking

Blood alcohol concentration

How alcohol is eliminated from the body

Perspiration- 2%

Breathing- 8%

Oxidation (Liver)- 90%

Implied consent

You voluntarily give up your tight to refuse a chemical or breathalyzer test when you sign for your drivers license

Synergistic effect

Effects of multiple alcoholic drinks are to additive they are exponential. effects from multiple drinks will be greater

1. 2 drinks to the power of 2= 4 times effect

2. 3 drinks to the power of 2 = 9 times the effect