The Times

Here are some facts which can explode some of the myths and misconceptions about alcohol DRINKING AND DRIVING

The drinking and driving problem is one of the major factors contributing to motor vehicle accidents in the United States. This fact is borne out by many studies of fatal accidents. In a number of states, special studies have shown that as many as half of the drivers involved in fatal accidents had been drinking. Who Is the Culprit? The drinking driver is too often misleadingly referred to as a "drunken driver." The term is misleading because a driver does not have to be obviously drunk to be under the [TEXT LOST] of alcohol. [TEXT LOST] are drinkers who Most people have the misguided idea that a few drinks will not affect their driving ability. This is a mistake. Drinkers themselves are never the best ones to judge their own ability after a few drinks. The scientific fact is that the critical judgment of a driver and his ability to react quickly in emergencies are seriously impaired after only a few drinks. It is true that even a very intoxicated person can perform the mechanical functions of driving. He can start the car, get it going and steer it (all badly), but the important point is that he doesn't have the judgment and the reflexes to do these things safely. This is true dinner and an hour later get behind the wheel of the car. In that one hour most of the alcohol will have been eliminated. The more alcohol there is in the blood, the longer you must wait until you can drive safely. Figure one hour for each bottle of beer or each ounce of whiskey. Some people seem to be able to hold their liquor better than others, and this excuse is often used by those who don't want to believe that a few drinks can seriously impair driving ability. Because of body weight, fatigue, emotional condition or a number of other reasons, one individual may show