Good Motoring
Drinking and driving – a lethal combo
H. Kishie Singh

As much as .08 per cent is the amount of alcohol in the blood that most countries allow as the legal limit before you are accused of drunken driving. Anything above this is illegal and will invite a very severe penalty. The specific criminal offence is normally referred to as "driving under influence" (DUI). Other legal nomenclature can be "driving while intoxicated" (DWI).

This may be a legal loophole to bypass .08 per cent. A person may be considered intoxicated even though the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level is below .08 per cent.

BAC is the most commonly used yardstick for alcohol intoxication for legal or medical purposes. There is yet another term used to describe drunken driving — OVI (operating a vehicle while intoxicated).

Drunken driving is the act of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This impairs mental and motor skills, which results in loss of concentration and the risk of making a wrong judgement.

OVI is an interesting terminology. Whereas DUI and DWI are used for automobiles, OVI covers boating, piloting an aircraft, farm machinery and horse-drawn carriages.

What is BAC and what does it do to a human? BAC is usually expressed as a percentage of alcohol in the blood. The important thing to consider is what it does to a human. Up to .03 per cent BAC, an average person will appear normal. Up to .06 the behaviour of a person could be showing relaxation, joyousness, talkativeness and euphoria, meaning an intense feeling of happiness and pleasant excitement. All of this can be summed up as a "feel-good" factor. It also manifests itself in loss of concentration.

We are all witness to a buddy telling a story at a cocktail party and in the middle of telling a joke or story, he halts, looks lost and says: "What was I saying?" That is a danger sign.

Beyond .06 per cent and up to .09 per cent there is decreased inhibition, the reasoning is impaired, peripheral vision lost and depth perception becomes dull. This is the red line of your brain’s tachometer.

Depth perception means the driver is unable to apply brakes. Disaster! Glare recovery is the ability of the eyes to get used to the darkness after the eyes have been subjected to bright lights. This is so common on Indian roads. Everyone drives with lights on high beam, plus a couple of extra lights.

It is recommended that when friends go to a party, there should be one buddy who will not drink; so he can drive everyone home safely. It is referred to as the "recovery service." Great idea.

However, the best-laid plans of mice and men can be derailed!

Recent studies have shown that three hours of continuous night driving is equivalent of drunken driving with a .08 per cent blood alcohol content! It is the fatigue factor. A fatigued person shows the same symptoms as a drunk. A couple of weeks ago there was an old boys’ reunion meet in Delhi. AP from Nabha had hired a taxi, come to Zirakpur and met up with his friend Billy. They drove to Delhi for the old boys’ bash. An old boys’ reunion means tonnes of kebabs and tikkas and barrels of booze. The taxi driver did not drink, smoke and was a vegetarian. While the old boys partied, he slept so he would be fresh for the drive home. Not so! He was the weakest link in the chain of safety that AP and Billy had set up for themselves.

At times likes this, the buddy "recovery system" may not be the answer. To ensure complete safety, check into a hotel and leave for home the next morning. At least you will to able to see what hit you.

Happy motoring!