| | Steven,
It's just as much of an argument as what you've presented so far.
Why are intoxicated drivers dangerous? How about this: Alcohol Intoxication Effects on Simulated Driving: Exploring Alcohol-Dose Effects on Brain Activation Using Functional MRI, Neuropsychopharmacology (2004) 29, 2097-2017 (it's a cached site so I hope it works, that was the only way to get around the subscription)
Alcohol depresses neural activity, with immediate effects on multiple cognitive-motor processing domains (Mongrain and Standing, 1989). Even blood alcohol levels within legal limits produce significant, generalized impairments of multiple attentional abilities; larger doses produce major impairments (Neill et al, 1991).
Driving performance was rated on eight different measures: vehicle collisions, near vehicle collisions, number of lane deviations, duration of lane deviations, number of instances over maximum speed limit, total time over maximum speed limit, number of instances below minimum speed limit, and total time below minimum speed limit. Driving performance outcome measures thus indicated deficits in lateral and longitudinal vehicle control. Compared to sober baseline, at the lower BAC, performance slightly improved and participants reduced average speed. At the higher BAC, subjects drove more at higher speeds (p<0.008, corrected) and there was a trend toward increased collisions with other cars (p<0.15, corrected). What should be done about it? I'm happy with what's being done where I am now.
At what point? Well, if things were my way, any amount alcohol consumption would mean no driving until it was out of your blood. Just to be *gasp* safe. While BAC does have some wiggle room in determining impairment due to alcohol tolerance levels, if one's driving prompted police action, it's a fair bet there's impairment involved. Like above, I'm happy with things the way they are.
Now, it's your turn. Would you or Robert or Ross care to back up these claims of oppression with something substantial? Show us some of this flawed rhetoric. Show us these statistics. Show us anything but a temper tantrum over a parking ticket.
Sarah
Edited because Gary made me a liar. :)
(Edited by Sarah House on 9/25, 10:48am)
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