Drink driving - Why risk the consequences?

In the second of the series of articles about alcohol, CERN is highlighting the dangers of drinking and driving.

Have you ever driven after drinking alcohol? If you did, then you were more likely to be involved in an accident that could kill or injure yourself or other people. Why risk it?

Any alcohol can impair driving ability. The risk of being in an accident rises significantly after alcohol is consumed: at the French legal limit of 0.5 grams of alcohol per litre of blood, a driver is twice as likely to have an accident as someone who has had no alcohol. At the Swiss legal limit of 0.8 g/l, a driver is five times more likely to be involved in an accident.

Many EU countries share the French limit. Penalties for breaking the law vary depending on the severity of the offence, but they include disqualification, fines and imprisonment.

Alcohol is a drug that impairs normal brain functions, degrading driving ability.

The effects include:

• slowed reactions
  
• reduced ability to judge distance, speed and time
  
• decreased alertness to potential dangers
  
• impairment of vision
  
• increased feelings of confidence, making a driver more prone to making reckless decisions
  
• increased risk of aggressiveness
  

The diagram below shows the alcohol content of some typical drinks. The legal limit of 0.5 g/l could already be reached after as few as two glasses of wine.

However, each individual has a different tolerance to alcohol and a different ability to recover from its effects, depending on factors such as their sex, age, body mass, the amount of food they have recently consumed and their stress level.

Half of the amount of alcohol in a drink can be absorbed into the bloodstream within 10 minutes: the entire amount will be absorbed in about an hour. After that, alcohol levels in the blood fall slowly by approximately 0.1 - 0.15 g/l per hour as the alcohol is metabolised and excreted (women at about 0.1 g/l, men nearer 0.15 g/l). It is possible to be over the legal limit the morning after an evening of drinking because alcohol is still being metabolised.

People on medication should be especially aware of the risks of alcohol consumption. When the effects of alcohol are mixed with those of other drugs, driving ability could be impaired even more.

CERN generates a considerable amount of road traffic inside and outside its fences. The safety of personnel - inside and outside the vehicle - as well as materials and property must be assured at all times. CERN uses the legal limit of France, 0.5 g/l, as the reference.

Individuals have the responsibility to ensure they are fit to drive. If staff drink and drive without respecting local laws, they risk police action. Police proceedings may be brought against those who drive while over the legal alcohol limits, with penalties including fines and imprisonment.

Colleagues also have a responsibility to ensure safety and everyone can help prevent dangerous conduct. For example, a group on a social outing can organize a designated driver who will not drink.

A major road safety campaign is currently underway in Europe but the effort to raise awareness of this problem is not linked to any specific incidents at CERN. The Organization would like to take part in the campaign and wants to increase awareness among staff of the dangers of drink driving. CERN strongly advises drivers to read the Operational Circular No 8 "Dealing With Alcohol Related Problems", particularly Section E which refers to drink driving incidents.

After The Accident

"It is a complete upheaval," says Annick Lyraud, assistant to the Director General. "You are at home or at work, you have plans and dreams, but you get into your car and some hours later you awaken in the hospital because of a driver who drank too much. Your life is changed forever, and there is nothing you can do about it."

In 1984, a drunk driver crashed into Annick's car. The accident trapped her and she had to be freed by firemen. The most serious injury was to her right foot. She had to undergo a several surgeries, much treatment, an intense daily rehabilitation and was unable to walk without crutches for two long years. This period was very painful for her and her family, on both a physical and mental level.

Annick is still living with the consequences of the accident. She can't pursue her former hobbies of sailing, skiing and running. Simple tasks can be a problem, such as gardening or carrying her grandson down the stairs. "People who think they are safe drivers when they've been drinking should see the consequences their unconscious behaviour inflicts on the victims and those around them - their kids, family, colleagues, everyone!"

After the long years of handicap, Annick returned to driving and is even more careful. "Anyone can make a mistake when they're driving, and sometimes we can forgive them. But alcohol is a choice and it is insulting that someone's irresponsibility can have such a huge impact on someone else's life. Behind the statistics of deaths and injuries, people should know the consequences for the daily lives of victims of road accidents caused by others' drinking. The suffering involved over years consumes the victims' lives and is truly a waste for the entire family."

"Personally, I like good wine but I choose to drink or to drive!"