How much alcohol one can drink before driving so that the permissible norm is not exceeded? This is a question put by many drivers and to which IPN tried to find an answer by consulting an expert: Gheorghe Rosior, head of the Inebriation Medical Examination Division of the Republican Narcological Dispensary.
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Starting with this February, the drivers are penalized if the alcohol concentration in blood exceeds 0.3 g/l, while in the exhaled air 0.15 mg/l. Gheorghe Rosior said it is not possible to say exactly how much alcohol one can drink so as not to exceed these levels as the alcohol is absorbed differently, depending on such factors as the quantity of consumed liquid, psychological and physiological state of the person, tiredness. The frequency of alcohol consumption can also influence the results. On average, the human body can process 10 g of pure alcohol an hour, which is 25 g of cognac of 40 degrees or 100 g of wine of 10 degrees.
The expert said it was determined that the alcohol influences the persons differently, diminishing the drivers’ capacity to react to a bigger or lesser extent. In such circumstances, the risk of road accidents increases and not only the life of the driver, but also of the other traffic participants is endangered.
From excitation to inhibition
The action of alcohol on the central nervous system of humans has two phases – excitation and inhibition. The effect depends on the consumed amount and the speed at which the concentration of alcohol changes in tissues. Excitation appears after drinking small amounts of alcohol and reaches an apogee when the blood alcohol concentration is of 0.5 g/l. In such conditions, the driver can overestimate his capacities and can make incorrect assessments – does not determine the distance correctly, does not appropriately adjust the speed to the conditions on the road. The drivers usually press the accelerator or brake suddenly.
The state of inebriation has three degrees: light, medium and advanced. Gheorghe Rosior said that in the first case the person is well disposed, has many ideas even if these are irrelevant, jokes, etc. When the amount of consumed alcohol increases to a medium state, what seemed pink at first loses color. The person becomes irascible and quarrelsome. The advanced state of inebriation implies difficult communication and slurred speech. The person does not understand the questions put to him. This state affects the locomotor system. If the person continues to consume alcohol in such a state, this can go into an alcoholic coma.
When kefir consumption becomes ‘drunkenness’
Commenting on the attempts by drivers to justify the state of inhabitation by saying that they drank kefir or ate chocolate containing alcohol, the expert said the person should drink several hundred liters of kefir for 50 g of alcohol to get into the body. In the case of chocolate, the person should eat 30-40 pieces. When the person invokes treatment with drugs containing alcohol, there is a specific mouth examination procedure.
Gheorghe Rosior said there is no alcohol consumption culture in Moldova and they use to drink a lot. Not many stop at one glass. The problem of alcohol consumption cannot be solved in a single day. Time is needed to cultivate balanced consumption. For the purpose, all the social players should be involved, starting with the kindergarten. In the 1950s, the alcohol consumption in Moldova was moderate and they drank mainly wine. In over 60 years, Moldova became one of the leading states by alcohol consumption.
There are states where the driver is deprived of license and car if this is caught driving under the influence and this must attend a series of courses at his own expense and go to a psychotherapist before being able to get the driver’s license back. In Moldova, there is no such educative mechanism. Also, in other states the visitors of recreational places are offered alcohol tests so that these can check the alcohol concentration in blood before driving away.
In Moldova, there are drivers who go to the Dispensary to have tests on their own initiative. It is usually the case of drivers who work on long routes. But there are also drivers who want to challenge the results of alcohol tests performed by patrolling inspectors. Each motorist should know that they can have medical examination on their own initiative and this is done within two hours of the accident or of the moment they are examined by patrolling inspectors.
In conclusion ...
Gheorghe Rosior recommended the drivers to refrain from drinking alcohol when they plan to drive. The motorists are urged not to listen to the advice of other drivers who say that they use to drink a small amount of alcohol before driving as they do not exceed the admissible norm. If a person consumed alcohol and reached the light state of inebriation, this can drive in 24-36 hours. If the state of inebriation was advanced, driving is possible not earlier than in 3-5 days.
Elena Nistor, IPN
