Alcohol Consumption and Poor Decision Making

August 30, 2016, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

We are all aware that alcohol consumption impairs decision making abilities but tis recent case highlights the extreme effects alcohol has on us. Last week police arrested two individuals for impaired driving the same car.

Media reports indicate that around 8 in the evening the police were called to a two car collision. One car was attempting a U-turn when it was hit by another causing it to go into the ditch. When the emergency personnel got to the scene of the accident the driver of the car got out and ran away, the passenger then scooted over, got behind the wheel of the car and drove it away. She got about 500 metres before she drove off the road.

Police arrested the pair who were visible impaired and charged them both with impaired driving. The pair remain in custody.

Alcohol consumption effects people differently. Remember that beer, wine and liquor consumption all cause impairment. Some people can seemingly consume more alcohol and not become impaired. Others are visibly impaired after only one drink. What causes this?

According to the CDC:

Alcohol affects every organ in the body. It is a central nervous system depressant that is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream. Alcohol is metabolized in the liver by enzymes; however, the liver can only metabolize a small amount of alcohol at a time, leaving the excess alcohol to circulate throughout the body. The intensity of the effect of alcohol on the body is directly related to the amount consumed.

Individuals react differently to alcohol due to many factors such as:

• Age.
• Gender.
• Race or ethnicity.
• Physical condition (weight, fitness level, etc).
• Amount of food consumed before drinking.
• How quickly the alcohol was consumed.
• Use of drugs or prescription medicines.
• Family history of alcohol problems.

Any consumption of alcohol will impair your judgement and reaction times. The more you drink the worse the impairment.

In Ontario you will face a road side suspension of your licence at 0.05% BAC and be charged with impaired at 0.08% BAC. If you are under 22 or if you have a graduated licence (G1 or G2) you are permitted 0% BAC.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

The opinions expressed here, while intended to provide useful information, should not be interpreted as legal recommendations or advice.