Drug & Alcohol Awareness Flashcards

Drug & Alcohol Awareness Terms

• SFTS: Standardized Field Sobriety Test used to assess a driver's level of impairment during a traffic stop.
• TABC: Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the regulatory body overseeing alcohol-related laws in Texas.
• DWI: Stands for Driving While Intoxicated, a serious offense related to operating a vehicle under the influence.
• DUI: Refers to Driving Under the Influence, another term often used interchangeably with DWI.

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)

• BAC: Blood Alcohol Content, a measurement that indicates the amount of alcohol in a person's bloodstream.
• BAC % for minors: Legal limit is set at 0.0%, indicating no tolerance for alcohol consumption.
• BAC % for adults over 21: Legal limit is set at 0.08%, the threshold for legal intoxication.

Penalties for DWI Offenses

• 1st Offense (Minor): Includes fines up to $500, 20-40 hours of community service, mandatory attendance at an Alcohol Awareness Class, and a 60-day driver's license suspension.
• 1st Offense (Adult): May incur fines up to $2,000, jail time ranging from 3 to 180 days, and a license suspension for up to 2 years, plus an annual surcharge and potential DWI education requirements.
• 2nd Offense (Minor): Penalties include fines up to $500, possible community service, a 120-day license suspension, and Alcohol Awareness Class attendance at the judge's discretion.
• 2nd Offense (Adult): Potential fines up to $4,000, jail time between 1 month to 1 year, a 2-year license suspension, and possible participation in DWI education.
• 3rd Offense (Minor): Results in a 130-day license suspension, with increased fines for those 17 and older, and up to 180 days of confinement.
• 3rd Offense (Adult): Imposes fines up to $10,000, prison time between 2-10 years, and continues license suspension and education program requirements.

Testing and Devices

• Field Sobriety Testing: Comprises three tests to determine a driver’s intoxication level during a traffic stop.
• Breathalyzer: A device utilized by law enforcement to measure alcohol concentration in a driver's breath.

Legal Responsibilities around Alcohol

• Providing alcohol to minors: It is illegal for parents or adults to provide alcohol without parental consent.
• Parents providing alcohol to their child: Legally permissible for parents or guardians to provide alcohol to their own children.

Other Alcohol-Related Facts

• Open Container in a vehicle: Indicates that both the driver and passengers have consumed alcohol during transit.
• Binge Drinking: Defined as consuming enough alcohol to raise one's BAC to 0.08% or higher, representing a dangerous drinking pattern.
• Driving while Intoxicated with a child passenger: Severe penalties include fines up to $10,000, jail time of up to 2 years, and a 180-day license suspension.
• Alcohol Poisoning: A life-threatening condition resulting from consuming excessive amounts of alcohol over a short period.