DRIVING IMPAIRMENT: BLOOD LEVELS OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER SUBSTANCES

The author views the topic of blood alcohol levels (BAL) and driving impairment as encompassing two issues specifically related to alcohol-use practices namely, the issues of individual sensitivity and subjective tolerance. Following a discussion of the literature dealing with these issues, she points out the persistent belief among alcohol consumers that they perform better at low levels of alcohol than when sober. The experience of good feelings creates the illusion of heightened abilities, increased sociability, and invulnerability, all of which obscure any objective impairment of performance. She concludes that effective countermeasures will have to consider this pervasive belief among drinkers.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Full title of publication is Alcohol, Drugs and Driving: Abstracts and Reviews in Alcohol and Driving.
• Corporate Authors:

  Brain Information Service

  California University, Center for Health Science
  Los Angeles, CA  United States  90024
• Authors:
  • Burns, M
• Publication Date: 1985-6

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 131-133
• Serial:
  • ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND DRIVING
  • Volume: 1
  • Issue Number: 1-2

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Blood alcohol levels; Countermeasures; Drunk drivers; Drunk driving; Impaired drivers; Sensitivity
• Uncontrolled Terms: Subjective analysis
• Old TRIS Terms: Driver impairment
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00452030
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-039 210
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 31 1986 12:00AM