Good To Know Facts



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HOW ALCOHOL CREATES DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATIONS

  1. Alcohol affects eye movement and it becomes harder to track moving objects.
  2. Alcohol also impairs eye-hand coordination.
  3. Alcohol lowers inhibitions. Drivers with lower inhibitions are more likely to speed, run lights and make illegal turns.

MEDICAL FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL

Alcohol is an addictive drug that depresses the brain (central nervous system). Blood alcohol content (BAC) may be affected by gender, physical condition, weight, medication and other factors.

Absorbed into the blood stream very quickly, alcohol enters the brain where it immediately affects your brain functions and driving abilities. As a result, alcohol is one of the leading contributing factors in fatal crashes in Saskatchewan.

  1. People who start drinking alcohol before age 15 are more susceptible to developing a dependency on alcohol as adults - compared to those who start drinking at an older age.
  2. Liver damage is irreversible.
  3. Alcohol shrinks the part of the brain responsible for memory. MRI's among teens who drank regularly showed a 10% shrinkage.
  4. Alcohol poisoning is serious and can be deadly. Vomit isn't a sign of sensitivity to alcohol. It is the body's way of expelling poisons - a signal that you are reaching or have reached an unhealthy level.
  5. If you see someone 'passed out' from their alcohol consumption - DO NOT LET THEM SLEEP IT OFF. It is important to wake them up. If they can not be woken up, call for medical assistance.
  6. Developing a tolerance to alcohol is a signal your drinking habits may create medical problems in the future.
  7. At post secondary schools - it is estimated that alcohol is a factor for 40% of all academic problems and 20% of dropouts.
  8. In Canada heavy alcohol use is more prevalent among students age 20 or less - and there is not significant difference between genders.

Want More Information?

  1. Want more info, please read the STRID[Strategy to Reduce Impaired Driving] 2010 initiative at www.ccmta.ca.
  2. VISIT www.saskyouth.net FOR INFO ON SASKATCHEWAN GOVERNMENT YOUTH PROJECT AWARDS/LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.
  3. VISIT THE NEW HEALTH CANADA SITE www.drinkingfacts.ca.
  4. For detailed statistics on drinking and driving accidents in Saskatchewan, review Section 10 - Alcohol of the SGI Traffic Accident Information System (TAIS) report.

Need more info?

If you are looking for more information about our programs, please use the menu to the left or email the provincial office at sadd@sasktel.net