Questions and Answers
What percentage of people admit to having actually fallen asleep at the wheel?
Drivers who are ____ are at greater risk for drowsy driving.
sleep deprived
Which of the following are fatigue warning signs? (Select all that apply)
What is one way to prevent drowsiness before a trip?
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List one action to maintain alertness while driving.
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Which of the following is considered an ineffective action to combat fatigue while driving?
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Where is it generally not advisable to sleep if you are too tired to drive?
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Working more than 60 hours a week decreases your risk of drowsy driving.
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Aggressive driving occurs when a driver operates a vehicle in a _____ manner.
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What is one consequence of aggressive driving?
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What should you do to prevent aggressive driving?
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What is road rage?
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How many drinks in the body does it take to affect driving?
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What are the effects of alcohol on driving?
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What percent of alcohol in the blood is illegal?
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What is the limit of alcohol in the blood for people under age 21 in most states?
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What is the best way of hanging on to the driver's license?
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What should you do if someone tries to drive drunk?
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What are the consequences of drinking alcohol and driving?
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How does alcohol affect your judgment?
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What is the only proven method to remove alcohol or other drugs from the system?
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What type of drugs other than alcohol can affect your driving ability?
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Why should drugs never be mixed with alcohol?
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How many crashes each year are caused by driver fatigue?
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What should a driver do if they notice any sign of fatigue while driving?
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What can increase alertness for a few hours, but drivers should not rely on it for long periods of time?
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How many hours of sleep should teens and young adults get each night?
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What is fatigue?
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What are some causes of fatigue?
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What are the risks of drowsy driving?
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Who is portrayed as being sleep deprived in the video?
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Study Notes
Alcohol and Driving Risks
- One drink can begin to affect driving abilities, impairing judgment and distance perception.
- Alcohol significantly reduces a driver's ability to process information and react quickly.
- Drivers under age 21 must maintain a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of zero.
Alcohol Limits and Consequences
- Legal BAC limit in most states is 0.08 percent; for underage drivers, it is zero.
- 24% of 15-20 year-old drivers in fatal crashes were drinking.
- Fatal crash rates peak among drivers aged 21-24; young drivers face higher risks due to less experience combined with alcohol effects.
Preventing Drunk Driving
- Designated drivers should always be chosen to ensure sobriety.
- Action must be taken to prevent a friend from driving drunk, such as taking keys away or organizing alternative transport.
Alcohol's Impact on Driving Skills
- Visual abilities, like eye focus and distance judgment, are hindered by alcohol.
- Alcohol leads to difficulties in judging distances, a crucial skill in driving.
- Peripheral vision is compromised, increasing risk during lane changes and turns.
Signs of Impaired Driving
- Common signs include weaving, straddling lanes, and responding slowly to traffic signals.
- Drivers may exhibit erratic braking and sudden lane changes.
Alcohol Elimination and Myths
- Time is the only effective way to sober up after alcohol consumption; coffee or other methods do not expedite this process.
- Roughly 90% of alcohol is metabolized by the liver, with minimal amounts eliminated through breath and sweat.
Effects of Other Substances
- Over-the-counter and prescription medications can impair driving similarly to alcohol; always consult a doctor regarding side effects.
- Mixing alcohol with drugs can intensify effects and significantly impair driving ability.
Driver Fatigue
- Fatigue contributes to around 100,000 crashes annually.
- Young adults should aim for at least 9 hours of sleep nightly to ensure alertness.
- Pulling off to rest for 15-20 minutes is advisable if fatigue is noticed while driving.
Drowsy Driving Risks
- Drowsy driving can lead to severe accidents; over one-third of drivers admit to falling asleep at the wheel.
- At-risk drivers include those who are sleep-deprived, traveling long distances without breaks, or using medications that induce sleepiness.
Alcohol Knowledge Check
- Key facts to remember include understanding the effects of alcohol on various body systems and recognizing the signs of impaired judgment and coordination.
- Legal definitions for BAC and intoxication vary by state; familiarize yourself with local laws regarding alcohol consumption and driving.
Responsible Behavior
- Avoiding situations where alcohol consumption leads to driving is critical; plan ahead for transport options.
- Encourage friends to participate in alternatives to drinking to foster safer environments.### Fatigue Warning Signs
- Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking, and heavy eyelids indicate fatigue.
- Repeated yawning or eye rubbing are common signs.
- Daydreaming or disconnected thoughts can impair attention.
- Forgetting the last few miles or missing exits signals drowsiness.
- Struggling to keep one's head upright can indicate sleepiness.
- Drifting from a lane or hitting rumble strips suggests loss of alertness.
- Restlessness and irritability are emotional signs of fatigue.
- If symptoms are noticed, it’s crucial to stop driving and rest.
Preventing Drowsiness Before a Trip
- Adequate sleep of 8 to 9 hours is essential for alert driving.
- Careful trip planning aids in identifying rest areas and logistics.
- Having a passenger can provide support and share the driving task.
- Avoid medications that may induce drowsiness prior to driving.
Maintaining Alertness While Driving
- Sunglasses can help protect against glare and reduce eye strain.
- Avoiding heavy meals can prevent drowsiness.
- Recognize personal low-energy periods throughout the day.
- Take breaks every 100 miles or 2 hours during long drives.
- Consumption of caffeine can temporarily increase alertness but should not be relied upon.
Ineffective Actions for Combatting Drowsiness
- "Toughing it out" or pushing through fatigue is unwise.
- Playing loud music, altering speed, or chewing gum does not mitigate drowsiness.
- Opening windows provides minimal benefit in terms of alertness.
Importance of Rest
- Sleeping in a parked car is generally discouraged; safety is paramount.
- If stopping, choose well-lit, populated areas away from traffic.
- Secure the vehicle by locking doors and turning off the engine.
- Briefly walking after resting can counteract grogginess from longer naps.
Assessing Risk Factors Before Driving
- Sleep deprivation (less than 6 hours) triples crash risk.
- Insomnia or sleep debt increases fatigue and distraction.
- Long-distance driving without breaks raises fatigue likelihood.
- Night driving or mid-afternoon trips can coincide with natural sleepiness.
- Sedating medications can significantly impair alertness.
- Excessive working hours over 60 weekly heightens risk by 40%.
- Driving alone on dark or rural roads can escalate fatigue.
Emotional Impact on Driving
- Emotions such as anger, anxiety, joy, and fear can impair driving performance.
- Emotional states interfere with thinking and increase distraction.
- Intense emotions can lead to risky decisions and decreased concentration.
Managing Emotions While Driving
- Understand personal emotional triggers to better manage stress.
- Expecting mistakes from other drivers can help reduce frustration.
- Channel emotions constructively; avoid directing them toward others.
- If feelings are overwhelming, it may be wise to delay driving or have someone else take over.
Role of Passengers
- Passengers significantly influence the driver's state of mind and driving behavior.
- Encouragement to drive recklessly or to speed should be avoided.
- Engaging in distracting arguments can heighten driver stress and risk.
Aggressive Driving and Its Consequences
- Aggressive driving contributes to half of all accidents nationwide.
- Consequences include crashes leading to injury or death, fines, and possible jail time.
- Common triggers for aggressive driving include retaliation against perceived slights or over-speeding.
Strategies to Avoid Aggressive Driving
- Maintain calm by avoiding aggressive reactions on the road.
- Ensure to give ample time for journeys to reduce pressure.
- Focus on safe driving without succumbing to road frustrations.
Differentiating Aggressive Driving from Road Rage
- Aggressive driving involves risky behaviors like speeding and tailgating.
- Road rage escalates aggression to threatening behaviors, such as using one's vehicle as a weapon.
- Verbal and quiet aggression are subtler forms of aggressive driving behavior.
Patterns of Aggressive Behavior
- "Rush-in" behavior signifies constant impatience and rule-breaking.
- "Total aggression" involves ridicule and undue criticism of other drivers.
- "Violence" crosses a serious line, leading to physical confrontations or threats.
Understanding Road Rage
- Anger often serves as a foundation for rage, fueled by perceived violations.
- Irresponsive actions by others can provoke a cycle of anger leading to dangerous road behaviors.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the critical concepts from Chapters 11 and 12 of Drivers Education. This quiz focuses on the effects of alcohol on driving and the legal limits regarding alcohol consumption. Use these flashcards to reinforce your understanding of safe driving practices.