Introduction
The purpose of this publication by the State General Laboratory is to
inform the public about driver impairment due to the intake of alcohol
and/or medicines, as well as that of illegal use of controlled drugs
(narcotics).
The information and data provided aim at directing the public to the
correct implementation of the Road Safety Act 1986-2006 and the Motor
Vehicles Act 1972-2002 and do not constitute a legal text.
Information other than the statistical data and legal limits is of a tentative
nature and should be used for guidance only.
ALCOHOL MEDICINES DRUGS AND DRIVING A COMBINATION THAT KILLS…
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Alcohol/Medicines/Drugs and Driving
Driving requires skills including quick decision making and reflexes.
Driving under the influence of alcohol can cause many accidents. The
number of drivers involved in fatal road accidents in Cyprus from 2002
until 2006 with alcohol detected in their bloodstream accounted for 42%
of the total (95 persons). Half of these (57%) were below 25 years of age.
Alcohol, however, is not the only factor affecting driving ability.
Controlled drugs and certain medicines, taken alone or in combination
with alcohol, may increase the risk of accident dramatically, even when
the alcohol content in the body is within the prescribed legal limits.
Statistics show that in Cyprus in 2006, there were 6 fatal road accidents
where the use of drugs had been implicated. In some of these cases, the
drugs had been taken in combination with alcohol.
PERCENTAGE OF DRIVERS INVOLVED IN FATAL ROAD ACCIDENTS
WITH TRACES OF ALCOHOL IN THEIR BLOOD
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How alcohol affects your ability to drive
Driving ability is seriously impaired even when the driver continues to
feel “fine”. Alcohol is a sedative affecting various areas of the brain.
ATTENTION: You run a greater risk if you drive a motorbike or
ride a bicycle, since even a small quantity of alcohol is enough to
reduce your sense of balance.
Alcohol has the following specific effects:
It slows down the functions of the brain, resulting in slow decision
making
It reduces one’s ability to estimate the speed and distance from
cars, people and objects.
It creates the illusion of “better driving”
It increases the feeling of tiredness and sleepiness
It reduces the reflexes and movement coordination
It reduces the field of vision
EVEN THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL
IS ENOUGH TO IMPAIR DRIVING
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ALCOHOL MEDICINES DRUGS AND DRIVING A COMBINATION THAT KILLS…
Increased risk of involvement in a road accident related
to the concentration of alcohol in the blood (mg/ dL)
Concentration
of alcohol in the blood
(mg/dL)
Risk Increase
150 mg/dL
80 times
100 mg/dL
48 times
50 mg/dL
11 times
20 mg/dL
2 times
legal limit
How driving ability is negatively affected
by the concentration of alcohol (mg/dL) in the blood
Concentration of alcohol
in the blood (mg/dL)
80 mg/dL
Consequences
Loss of speed control and reduced ability to concentrate
70 mg/dL
60 mg/dL
Reduced perception and judgment of facts
50 mg/dL
Legal limit
Disconcertion of movements
40 mg/dL
Reduced balance, reflexes and vision
30 mg/dL
Reduced wheel control and ability to keep the car straight
20 mg/dL
10 mg/dL
Attention distracted and reaction time increased
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (USA)
ALCOHOL MEDICINES DRUGS AND DRIVING A COMBINATION THAT KILLS…
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Important advice
Tell your children about the high risks they take, if they drink and
drive.
Cooperate with the Police so as to put a stop to driving under the
influence of alcohol.
Always go for defensive driving
Report drivers, who are under the influence of alcohol. They may
not be the only victims in the case of accident; children on the
pavement and unsuspecting citizens may be the victims of
dangerous drivers.
Be a responsible host; when you throw a party do not let your
guests drink and drive
Do not accept a ride from a driver who has been drinking. Try to
talk him out of it.
If you must drink, remember: Moderation in all things, or else …
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ALCOHOL MEDICINES DRUGS AND DRIVING A COMBINATION THAT KILLS…
Bear in mind:
The Road Safety Act, 1986 – 2006
R Anyone driving or attempting to drive after having consumed such a
quantity of alcohol as to cause the concentration of alcohol in his breath
or blood to exceed the legal limit is guilty of an offence.
The concentration of alcohol in the blood and/or the breath is as
follows:
Blood: greater than 50 mg/dL
Breath: greater than 22 mg/dL
!!! ATTENTION !!!
GENERAL RULE
n Men: They should not consume more than 2 drinks in one hour.
n Women: They should not consume more than 1 drink in one hour.
YOU SHOULD BEAR IN MIND, HOWEVER, THAT THIS DEPENDS ON
WEIGHT AND GENDER, AS SHOWN IN THE TABLES* ON THE
NEXT PAGE.
*Note: The following tables are tentative and can only be used as a
guideline. The values shown depend on other additional factors and are
therefore subject to possible fluctuations.
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Values in black print: WITHIN THE LEGAL LIMIT (below 50 mg/dL)
Values in red ink: OVER THE LEGAL LIMIT (over 50 mg/dL)
MEN
DRINKS
70
75
WEIGHT IN KILOS
80 85
90 95 100
Concentration of alcohol in the blood (mg/dL)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
30
27
26
24
23
22
21
59
55
52
49
46
43
41
88
82
77
73
67
65
62
118
110 103
97
92
87
82
147
137 129 121
114 108 103
176
165 154 145
137 130 124
206
192 180
160 152 144
235
220 206 194
170
183
173 165
WOMEN
DRINKS
45
50
WEIGHT IN KILOS
55 60
65 70
75
Concentration of alcohol in the blood (mg/dL)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
10
57
51
46
42
39
36
34
113
102
93
85
78
73
68
170
153 139
127
118 109 102
226
204 185
170
157 146 136
283
255 231 212
196 182 170
339
306 278 255
235 218 204
396
356 324
297
274 255 238
453
407 370 339
313 291 272
ALCOHOL MEDICINES DRUGS AND DRIVING A COMBINATION THAT KILLS…
For example, when a man weighing 75 kg consumes 4 drinks, he
will have an approximate alcohol concentration of 110 mg/dL in his
bloodstream. A woman of the same weight, who has consumed the
same number of drinks will have an alcohol concentration of
approximately 136 mg/dL in her bloodstream.
One drink is considered to be*:
=
150 ml
wine
white/red
=
50 ml
whisky
Vodka
Brandy ouzo
=
50 ml
schnapps
=
45 ml
zivania
330 ml
beer
*Note:
(1) The dosages of drinks above mentioned correspond to those served in
Cypriot restaurants/entertainment outlets.
(2) Home made zivania is likely to have a higher content of alcohol
When alcohol reaches its highest concentration (ie approximately one
hour after consumption) the quantity in the blood is reduced at the rate
of 15mg/dL per hour (on average).
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Myths and reality
@ “Do not drink on an empty stomach. It will affect you!” CORRECT
The absorption of alcohol is quicker when the stomach is empty.
@ “I have drunk a lot and feel dizzy. I better have some coffee to wake
me!” MYTH
Drinking coffee after the consumption of alcohol does not reduce
the concentration of alcohol in the blood. However, it might
reduce drowsiness.
Only time can reduce the concentration of alcohol in the blood.
@ Have some champagne instead of wine! It will make you feel less
dizzy!” MYTH
Alcohol will affect you faster if you consume drinks such as:
-Champagne and other sparkling wines or
- Alcoholic beverages mixed with refreshments or orange juice
@ “I’ve been drinking! I’ll take a walk to sober up before I drive”. MYTH
Physical exercise does not reduce alcohol content in the blood.
@ “We’ve had so much to drink that we cannot escape the breathalyzer
test! Have you got a mint to fool the police?” MYTH
The breathalyzer test will trace the alcohol already absorbed in
your body. You do not have to “smell of alcohol” in order to prove
positive.
@ “I feel tired after the basketball game and I’ve had a bit to drink. You
better drive me to my military unit.” CORRECT
Fatigue makes the effect of alcohol worse. Even a small quantity
will affect your driving ability.
@ “I’ve had four glasses of vodka, I’ll drink lots of water in order to pass
the breathalyzer test.” MYTH
Regardless of how much water one drinks, it will not change the
quantity of alcohol present in his/her body (breath/blood.
Drinking water will only reduce the quantity of alcohol in the
urine.
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Interaction of Alcohol and Medication
The interaction of certain medicines and alcohol when taken
simultaneously may increase their effectiveness with negative
consequences. According to scientific information, more than 150
medicines interact with alcohol, affecting the ability to drive.
ALWAYS SEEK YOUR DOCTOR’S ADVICE ON WHETHER
THE MEDICATION YOU ARE TAKING
CAN BE TAKEN WITH ALCOHOL
DO NOT TAKE CHANCES - THE DRIVE YOU ARE ABOUT TO
TAKE MAY BE YOUR LAST!!!
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Medication and Driving
Certain categories of medicine have an adverse effect on driving. They
may cause drowsiness, affect vision or slow down reflexes. They may also
cause hyperactivity and hypersensitivity.
Which medicines affect driving?
The main categories with an adverse effect on driving are the following:
Strong pain killers
Cough syrups
Antiemetics –antistamins
Anti-depressants, Anxiolytic, Energizers, Neuroleptic,
sleeping pills
Antiepileptic
Hypertensive
Anti- Parkinson
Anticoagulants
Antidiabetic (insulin)
Centrally active relaxants
Local anaesthetics
Local eye medicine
Certain plant medicines (e.g. containing ephedrine, Ma-Huang)
It is also very important to avoid the reckless consumption of several
medicines at a time without doctor’s prescription. Mixing various
medicines may cause adverse reactions that may affect driving.
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ALCOHOL MEDICINES DRUGS AND DRIVING A COMBINATION THAT KILLS…
Drugs and Driving
Drugs are prohibited substances and their use is banned
under the Controlled Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
Act 1977 to 2005.
Driving while under the influence of drugs is yet another contributive
factor to fatal road accidents. Drug users, like alcohol consumers, when
driving, may put their life at risk, as well as the lives of other innocent
people on the road.
How do drugs affect driving?
Cannabis
It affects driving even when there are no visible signs of impairment
It weakens the functioning of the brain
It distracts attention during driving
It affects vision and the perceptive faculties
It may cause serious mental disorders
MDMA (ecstasy) and other amphetamines
They cause overvaluation of driving ability
They affect vision
They push the individual to take risks
They distract attention during driving
Sometimes they may cause hallucinations
They increase aggressiveness
They cause hypersensitivity resulting to aggressiveness
They lead to abnormalities in the condition and functioning of the
brain
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Cocaine
It increases the possibility of risky driving
It has the same effect as ecstasy and other amphetamines
It causes extreme aggressiveness and violent behavior
It distracts attention
It can cause antisocial behavior and paranoia
It may cause neurological problems, such as tremors
Sometimes it may cause hallucinations
It may cause cardiac arrest
Opiates (Heroin)
They distract attention
They impair the perceptive faculties
They cause drowsiness
They impair reflexes
The have a sedative effect
They blur vision
The reduce balance, orientation and concentration
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Forensic Toxicology Laboratory
State General Laboratory
Ministry of Health
Cyprus
July 2007
State General Laboratory,
Kimonos 44, Acropolis,
Nicosia, 1451, CYPRUS
This publication is posted on the internet:
http://www.moh.gov.cy
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BEFORE YOU DRINK,
THINK OF THOSE
THAT ARE WAITING
FOR YOU
BECAUSE…
ALCOHOL, DRUGS, MEDICINES
AND DRIVING ARE
A LETHAL COMBINATION!!!
P.I.O. 355/2008—1.000 ISBN 978-9963-38-560-7
Published by the Press and Information Office
Printed: Imprinta Ltd