TM Members-Only Webinar "I'm Still OK to Drive": The Dangers and Consequences of Impaired Driving December 3, 2014 / 10:00 11:00 a.m. Presented by: Lieutenant Don Marose, Minnesota State Patrol Lisa Kons, Traffic Safety Program Coordinator, Minnesota Safety Council; Coordinator, Minnesota Network of Employers for Traffic Safety
The Average Driver Makes 400 observations Makes 40 decisions Makes 1 mistake Every 2 miles.and that s when they are SOBER!
MN Alcohol Involved Crashes 2013 3669 117 2300 Crashes Deaths (37% of all fatals) Injuries (262 were severe) $235 Million Economic Cost (est.)
Three out of ten people in the United States will be involved in an alcohol related crash sometime during their lives.
The Average DWI Violator... Drives While Intoxicated 80 Times Each Year Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Once every four or five nights!
Frequency of Alcohol Use Most of the population drinks 52% reported use in last 30 days Current alcohol use by age group 12-17 21% 18-25 61% 26-34 63% 35+ 53% Per Capita Consumption of Alcohol is 2.3 GALLONS of absolute alcohol per person age 14 and older
Standard-sized Drinks A Can of Beer 12 ounces of fluid @ 4% alcohol equals 0.48 ounces of pure ethanol A Glass of Wine 4 ounces of fluid @ 12% alcohol equals 0.48 ounces of pure ethanol A Shot of Whiskey (80-Proof) 1 and 1/4 ounces @ 40% alcohol equals 0.50 ounces of pure ethanol
Metabolism in the Liver The liver burns the ethanol (i.e. causes a chemical reaction of ethanol with oxygen). Due to metabolism, the average person s AC drops by about 0.015 per hour (range.009 -.025 AC/hour).
DWI The Legal Limit is.08 AC If you re impaired, you can be arrested starting at.04 AC
DWI Criminal Offense Misdemeanor to Felony Civil Sanctions Revocation of driving privileges License plate impoundment Vehicle forfeiture
DWI It s not illegal to drink and drive They don t have to be exclusive of each other but maybe they should be!
DWI Your judgment is the first thing affected by alcohol. You think you re ok to drive when, in fact, you re not. Have a plan (cab, friend, family) before you head out.
General Indicators of CNS Depressants Drowsiness Thick, slurred speech Uncoordinated Fumbling Slow, sluggish reactions
Tolerance May exhibit relatively little evidence of physical impairment. Tolerant users, when impaired, usually exhibit clinical evidence.
What else can impair you? Prescription medications Vicodin, Oxycontin, Paxil, Valium, Wellbutrin Over the counter medications Cough medicine, Cold tablets, NoDoz Hazardous Substances Paint, Paint thinner, Frying pan spray, Nitrous oxide Illicit drugs Marijuana, Methamphetamine, GHB, Ecstasy, PCP
TM Lisa Kons Traffic Safety Program Coordinator Minnesota Safety Council Coordinator, Minnesota Network of Employers for Traffic Safety
Impaired Driving The Nation Drunk driving is often a symptom of a larger problem: alcohol misuse and abuse Alcohol-impaired motor vehicle crashes cost more than an estimated $37 billion annually In 2012, more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes - one every 51 minutes. (NHTSA)
Impaired Driving The Nation 21% of 16-20 year olds reported driving under the influence in the last 12 months 15.1 million abuse prescription drugs (up from 7.8 million in last decade) 70% of adult drug users are employed
Impaired Driving Minnesota In 2013 Impaired driving claimed 81 lives 25,719 DWI s were written More than 600,000 Minnesota residents have a DWI on their record (MN Department of Public Safety)
Why Should Employers Care?
Your employees are your most valuable asset!
One of the most DANGEROUS thing most employees will do today is their drive to and from work!
Did You Know? 40% of lost work hours are due to traffic-related injuries On average, on-the-job crash costs employers more than $24,000 More than $125,000 if it includes an injury A fatality up to $1,000,000.00 (NETS)
Drug/Alcohol-Using Employees Absent more often 35% more sick leave Extensive un-excused absences 5 times more likely to have a reportable vehicle crash
Business Under the Influence Two extra lost work days = $3,466 per year in wages Two extra emergency room visits, plus hospitalizations = $8,635
What Can Employers Do?
How Can MN NETS Help?
Employee Engagement Implement a drug and alcohol policy for your employees Offer traffic safety presentations for your employees Brown bag lunch seminars Provide traffic safety related e-mail blasts Resources; brochures, flyers, posters, etc. Host a traffic safety fair Partner in a traffic safety event Informational website
Provide Solutions Have a plan Designated a Sober Driver Call a cab Think BEFORE you Drink Don t Drive Distracted ALWAYS each and every time BUCKLE UP!
Free Resources Payroll stuffers Brochures Posters E blasts Lunch n Learn seminars MN NETS quarterly newsletter Impaired driving policy templates Fact sheets Fatal vision goggles PowerPoint presentations Interactive gaming tools Spanish materials
What Other Employers Have Done www.minnesotasafetycouncil.org/nets/impaireddrivingmaterials.cfm
MN NETS Website www.minnesotasafetycouncil.org/nets/imparieddrivingmaterials.cfm
Ask Yourself As an employer why should we be involved in providing impaired driving education?
Remind Your Employees... Life has No Rewind: Plan Ahead for a Sober Ride Home Extra DWI Patrols on Minnesota Roads to Combat Drunk Driving Nov. 26 Dec. 27
TM Questions? Lieutenant Don Marose, Minnesota State Patrol don.marose@state.mn.us Lisa Kons, Minnesota Safety Council lisa.kons@minnesotasafetycouncil.org