Drinking and Driving

... is the leading cause of death for college age students.

KNOW YOUR FACTS

Forty percent of all traffic deaths are related to alcohol use. (ACHA, l996)
Recent statistics show that the more drinks per week reported by students, the lower their Grade Point Average. (Core, l999)
Studies consistently show that students who regularly drink more than 5 drinks on one occasion are at the highest risk for negative consequences. (Core, l999)
Over 2/3 of men and 1/2 of women involved in sexual assault had been drinking at the time of the incident, according to University research..

At SIUC

76% of students are moderate or nondrinkers.
78% of students have not performed poorly on a test/project due to alcohol/drugs.
70% of students have not gotten into an argument/fight due to alcohol/drugs.
92% of students have not damaged property due to alcohol/drug use.
67% of students have not driven a car impaired due to alcohol/drug use.

IMPLIED CONSENT

By driving on Illinois roadways, a driver agrees to submit to testing for alcohol or other drugs. Refusing to submit to testing results in a longer suspension of driving privileges than that received for test failure. A test refusal can be used as evidence in a DUI case.

DUI (Driving Under the Influence)

It is illegal to operate a vehicle in Illinois with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or greater. However, with additional evidence, individuals can still be convicted of DUI with a BAC in excess of .05. DUI also applies to drivers under the influence of other drugs. These include any legal or illegal substances that cause impairment regardless of how they enter the body.

THE RISKS OF ALCOHOL causes negative effects on:

Cognition, memory retention, information processing, academic performance
Coordination and athletic performance
Driving
Esophageal and internal organ damage
Immune system weakened
Weight gain. Each drink equals 100 to 300 calories.
Slows and stops body processes such as breathing, heartbeat and brain activity in large amounts, resulting in coma or death.
Alcohol poisoning or overdose.

HOW TO CHOOSE A DESIGNATED DRIVER

Choose a designated driver before your group begins drinking. Drinking clouds judgment. After several drinks, you may begin convincing yourself that you can drive safely. The statistics prove otherwise.

Recruit a volunteer from your group of friends.
Take turns within the group. Volunteer to abstain from drinking one time and your spouse or a friend volunteers next time.
Arrange for a taxi or other alternate means of transportation home.
Ask a friend to pick you up after the social event..

QUIZ

See how alcohol smart you are by taking this quiz!