Crash Facts
In Pennsylvania, drinking and driving remains a top safety issue. In 2010, alcohol-related crashes decreased to 12,426 from 12,71 alcohol-related crashes in 2009. Alcohol-related deaths increased to 459 from 449 in 2009. Of particular concern is the involvement of drinking drivers under the age of 21. Thirty-one (31%) percent of the driver deaths in the 16-20 age group were drinking drivers, up from 27% in 2009. Improvement in this age group is a very important need.
The Effects of Drugs and Alcohol
Alcohol is primarily absorbed through the stomach and the small intestines. It is considered a food because it has calories, but does not need to be digested and proceeds directly into the body through the digestive system. After ingestion it is carried through the blood stream and crosses the blood–brain barrier, at which time impairment begins. A greater amount of ingestion causes greater impairment to the brain, which, in turn, causes a person to have a greater degree of difficulty in functioning.
The Law
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