By Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A.
Assistant Professor of Family Medicine
Ohio University College of Osteopathic MedicinE

YOU MAY BE LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE IF GUESTS “DRINK AND DRIVE”

Question: I’m hosting a New Year’s Eve party this year, and I’m afraid some of the guests might overdo it and try to drive home drunk. What can I do to ensure that everyone arrives home safely?

Answer: The consumption of alcohol is acceptable in our society, when done in moderation. You are right to be concerned about the guests at your party. Not only is this an appropriate concern as a good citizen; in a number of states you can now be held legally liable for alcohol-related accidents that your guest may become involved in on their way home.

It takes the average person one to two hours to eliminate the typical alcoholic drink, such as an ounce of distilled liquor, a bottle of beer or a glass of wine. Therefore, a good "rule of thumb" is that if you have had more than one drink for each two hours that you have been at a party, regardless of how you feel, you shouldn’t drive.

Regular consumption of alcohol doesn't change the effect of this drug; however, the frequent drinker does develop a sense that he or she is less impaired by it. Numerous studies have shown that this "sense of control" is actually imaginary. The time required to make a decision and then react to a driving situation goes up with each drink, regardless of how accustomed the person is to drinking.
Federal statistics show that in the average year, nearly 40 percent of fatal vehicle accidents involve alcohol. And, just in the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s in 2002, there were 1,561 people killed in alcohol-related crashes. In many of these cases, the driver and passengers in the vehicle would have survived if they had been wearing seat belts.

The good news is that because of concerned folks like you, increased law enforcement, and safer vehicles, the number of alcohol-related deaths has continued to decrease slightly over the past few years. Here are a few tips for you or anyone else who is holding a party this New Year’s Eve:

• Suggest your guests come in groups and that each group select a "designated driver."
• Make non-alcoholic beverages available for the designated driver and for anyone else who chooses not to consume alcohol.
• Guests should not be persuaded to drink nor ridiculed if they choose not to.
• Snacking should be encouraged.
• Coffee should be served in the last hour or so of the party.

On the last point, let me make it clear that coffee does not counteract alcohol, as some people believe. However, it does offset drowsiness, and this drowsiness may a contributing factor in a driver’s impaired attention and judgment.

Anybody who is obviously drunk or who has consumed too much alcohol, should not be allowed to drive under ANY circumstances. This is also true for someone who is obviously sleepy. Instead, insist they stay overnight, go home with somebody else or take a taxi. This isn’t just for their safety and that of other motorists, but also for the extended circle of friends and loved ones who would be affected by another needless, tragic death.

On behalf of all of us at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all my readers and their families a very happy, peaceful 2004!

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 110, Athens, Ohio 45701. Medical information in this column is provided as an educational service only. It does not replace the judgment of your personal physician, who should be relied on to diagnosis and recommend treatment for any medical conditions. Past columns are available online at http://www.FamilyMedicineNews.org.