"Alcohol's effects are progressively more noticeable as the blood alcohol concentration increases. At a BAC of .02 to .05 percent the effects are almost entirely pleasurable. The drinker feels relaxed and sociable. There may also be some modest impairment of reasoning or memory and general reduction in caution. A BAC of .05 to .07 produces a state of excitement. The drinker begins to suffer from what may be a slight but nonetheless noticeable impairment of balance, speech, vision, reaction time, and hearing. Judgement and self-control are also effected. The driver's behavior is apt to become more aggressive. In general, the drinker feels stimulated and highly capable. In reality his or her ability to safely perform tasks such as driving that require quick reactions, concentration, and good judgement has been significantly reduced.

" Movements to reduce the legal intoxication level from .10 to .08 percent BAC or less will do nothing to get at the problem. The hardcore group will not be thwarted by this legislation. The hardcore group wakes up in the morning close to a .10 BAC and builds on it from there. Most drunk driver fatalities have BAC levels close to .20. If lawmakers reduce the level from .08, they are simply catching more of the wrong people, the people who are not the problem. DWI laws are like bicycle locks-they keep responsible people honest but they are useless against determined bicycle thieves. The hardcore irresponsible drunk driver in our society is not going to be easily controlled, particularly by the well-meaning but ineffective efforts of those who think our criminal justice community can solve the problem. The police should focus on the characteristics of this hardcore group instead of the population in general. People who conduct themselves in this manner can be spotted." ( DWI dilemma, Internet source)

A drinker's ability to function deteriorates quickly at BACs of .08. to .15 percent, the drinker enters a state of confusion. At this stage, the level of impairment becomes obvious, if it is has not already. Speech becomes slurred; the drinker's sense of balance, vision, reaction time, and reasoning ability are distinctly and obviously impaired. With a BAC this high the drinker cannot safely perform tasks that require sound judgement or motor coordination. No one at this level of intoxication, should ever operate a motor vehicle. The difficulty of course is that someone who has reached this level of intoxication may refuse to believe his or her abilities are in any way impaired. Too often, the results of such misplaced confidence are tragic. BACs above .15 percent have a progressively severe and obvious effect. Starting at a BAC of approximately .15 percent, the brains' alertness center begins to shut down. By the time the BAC reaches .30 percent, the drinker is in a stupor. He or she is almost certain to fall asleep or pass out. BACs above .30 percent are potentially life threatening. At a BAC somewhere between .30 and .40 percent, the drinker falls into a coma, which may or may not result in irreversible brain damage. A BAC above .40 percent almost invariably results in death, usually because of respiratory failure. A 1996 study showed that 2.6 million teenagers don't know that a person can die from an alcohol overdose." (Henderson, 26)

"Drunken driving was once treated much as car accidents-a regrettable but unavoidable part of life on the roads. But a vocal grass-roots movement led my MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) persuaded much of the country, over two decades, to view it as a type of criminal negligence. Public patience with drunk drivers quickly grew thin as well-publicized death tolls mounted. ( Mishra, Internet source)

Drunk driving is a serious offense and has serious consequences. " Punishment for first time offenders includes suspension of driving privileges, points, and fines. Punishment for second time and subsequent offenses increases significantly and typically involve

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Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)