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Virginia driving lesson · Dangerous Driving Behaviors

Drunk & Drugged Driving

A 3-minute lesson from the Virginia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Dangerous Driving Behaviors
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
26, 27

Alcohol affects the brain's control of vision, judgment and coordination, even after one drink. Alcohol-related crashes are not accidents; they can be prevented. The only sure way is to decide before you start drinking that you won't drive.

BAC limits

BAC limits
DriverBACOffense
21 or older.08% or higherDriving under the influence (DUI)
Under 21.02% to less than .08%Illegal consumption of alcohol
Under 21.08% or higherCan be convicted of DUI
Handbook p. 26 ↗

Know the rule

If your driving is impaired, you can be convicted of DUI with a BAC lower than .08. Driving impaired by any drug can bring the same penalties as alcohol.

Handbook p. 26 ↗

Alcohol facts

Alcohol facts
FactNumber
Drivers drunk between 10 PM and 2 AM3 out of every 10
Of those, drinking at someone else's homeMore than one-third
DUI arrestees who are social/moderate drinkersNearly 50 percent
Lifetime chance of an alcohol-related crash50-50
Crash risk after drinking vs. soberSeven times greater
Handbook p. 26 ↗

Standard drink

Twelve ounces of beer has the same alcohol as a shot of liquor or a five-ounce glass of wine.

Handbook p. 26 ↗

Know the rule

Only time decreases intoxication. Coffee, cold showers or exercise won't sober you up.

Handbook p. 26 ↗

Know the rule

At a social event with alcohol, plan a sober ride home ahead of time: alternative transportation or a sober driver.

Handbook p. 27 ↗

Know the rule

Combining alcohol with other drugs usually multiplies the effects of both. One drink with another drug, even aspirin, allergy or cold medicine, can equal several drinks.

Handbook p. 27 ↗

Know the rule

Many over-the-counter and prescription drugs for headaches, hay fever, colds, allergies or nerves (syrups, drops, sprays, pills, tablets) cause drowsiness and dizziness and slow reaction time.

Handbook p. 27 ↗

Know the rule

Marijuana possession is legal over age 21, but driving under the influence of marijuana is still illegal.

Handbook p. 27 ↗

Know the rule

Read the label before taking any drug and look for side-effect warnings. If unsure, ask a pharmacist or doctor; no drug is harmless.

Handbook p. 27 ↗

Put it into practice

You had one beer and took a cold pill an hour ago. Even with a BAC under .08, that combination can affect you like several drinks, and impaired driving can bring a DUI conviction. Get a sober ride.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

For a driver age 21 or older, at what BAC are you legally considered driving under the influence?
  1. .02 percent or higher
  2. .08 percent or higher
  3. .05 percent or higher
  4. .10 percent or higher

Answer: .08 percent or higher

Drivers age 21 or older are considered DUI if their BAC is .08 percent or higher.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
For a driver under age 21, what BAC range results in a conviction for illegal consumption of alcohol?
  1. At least .05 but less than .10 percent
  2. Any detectable amount above .00 percent
  3. At least .02 but less than .08 percent
  4. At least .08 but less than .12 percent

Answer: At least .02 but less than .08 percent

If under 21, you can be convicted of illegal consumption of alcohol if your BAC is at least .02 but less than .08.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
Can a driver be convicted of DUI with a BAC lower than .08 percent?
  1. No, .08 percent is always the strict cutoff
  2. Only for commercial drivers
  3. Only for drivers under 18
  4. Yes, if their driving is impaired

Answer: Yes, if their driving is impaired

If your driving is impaired, you can be convicted of DUI even with a BAC lower than .08 percent.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
Compared to driving sober, how much greater are your chances of a crash if you drive after drinking?
  1. About two times greater
  2. About seven times greater
  3. About the same, with no measurable difference
  4. About fifty times greater

Answer: About seven times greater

Your chances of being in a crash are seven times greater if you drive after drinking than if you drive sober.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
How much alcohol is in twelve ounces of beer compared to other drinks?
  1. Roughly half a shot of liquor
  2. About twice a shot of liquor
  3. The same as a shot or five ounces of wine
  4. About two five-ounce glasses of wine

Answer: The same as a shot or five ounces of wine

Twelve ounces of beer is the same as a shot of liquor or a five-ounce glass of wine.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
What effect does combining alcohol with another drug, even an over-the-counter medicine, typically have?
  1. It usually multiplies the effects of both
  2. It cancels out the effects of alcohol
  3. It has no additional effect on driving ability
  4. It only affects reaction time, not judgment

Answer: It usually multiplies the effects of both

Combining alcohol with other drugs usually multiplies the effects of both, which can be disastrous for driving.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
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