The Plenary Session of Congress debated this Tuesday and will vote on Thursday the non-law proposal of the Socialist Parliamentary Group to reduce the limit of the maximum alcohol level allowed to all drivers of vehicles, motorized and non-motorized, at 0.2 g/l in blood and 0.1 mg/l in exhaled air, practically half of what is now authorized.
What are the effects of alcohol?
Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that acts as a depressant of the Central Nervous System. Its consumption is associated with the development of different diseases; But in addition to chronic sequelae, its intake can cause immediate alterations in different abilities and behaviors.
“Alcohol produces different alterations, primarily on perception and concentration,” he explains. Guadalupe Blayhead of the Endocrinology and Nutrition Working Group of the Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians (SEMG). After consuming alcoholic beverages, not only does reaction capacity and reflexes decrease, but visual acuity is affected, distances are calculated worse, there is greater sensitivity to glare and traffic signs are perceived worse because it can give yourself tunnel vision, says the doctor. “Coordination and decision-making are also affected,” he adds. On the other hand, alcohol also creates a false sense of security, which can lead to less cautious driving.
What does the blood alcohol level depend on?
The blood alcohol level measures the amount of alcohol in the blood. It depends on different factors, such as the amount of alcohol ingested, the strength of the drink, the weight and sex of the person or the type of drink that has been taken. Factors such as fatigue, anxiety, stress or whether it is taken on an empty stomach may also play a role. “Age also plays a role,” clarifies Blay. “Those under 18 years of age and those over 65 are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol“.
The speed with which the alcohol is ingested is also important. “The same amount of alcohol does not produce the same blood alcohol level if it is drunk progressively over the course of a day as if it is ingested quickly, in one or two hours. It is much higher when it is drunk quickly, concentrated over time. “explains Laura Orio, director of the Research Group on Psychoneuroimmunology of substance use disorders at the Complutense University of Madrid.
What is the relationship between alcohol and accidents?
According to data from the DGT, alcohol is one of the risk factors most frequently involved in traffic accidents. In fact, it is present in between 30% and 50% of fatal accidents. As the amount of alcohol in the body increases, so does the risk of an accident. According to the DGT, with a blood alcohol level of 0.5 grams of ethanol per liter of blood the risk of suffering a collision is multiplied by two. With 0.8 g/l the risk is five times greater.
The alterations that occur with a blood alcohol level of between 0.3/0.8 g/l are notable, explains Laura Orio. “Emotional excitability occurs, there is euphoria but also relaxation and visual acuity decreases.” With these levels of alcohol in the blood, there is “a slower general reaction, reflexes are altered and the ability to judge is reduced, which is important for driving. There may also be some motor alteration and there is also impulsivity and overvaluation of things.” capabilities that one has,” explains Orio.
With a higher blood alcohol level, with levels between 0.8/1.5 g/l, we are already talking about significant drunkenness, reflexes will be very disturbed and responses will be very slowed down. There may be significant coordination and control problems. , difficulty concentrating and maintaining attention. Also, there is a decrease in vigilance and a very important reduction in the perception of risk,” he adds.
How much is a 0.2?
Although, as we have said, the blood alcohol level depends on different factors, the DGT estimates indicate that for a man weighing between 70 and 90 kilos, a third of a 330 ml and 5º beer represents a rate of between 0. 21 and 0.28 grams of alcohol per liter of blood. A glass of wine of 100 ml and 12º would mean a rate of between 0.16 and 0.20 while a glass of liquor of 45 ml and 23º would mean a rate of between 0.13 and 0.17. In the case of a woman between 50 and 70 kg, a third of beer represents a rate of between 0.34 and 0.48. A wine would give between 0.25 and 0.35 and a liquor would have a rate of 0.21 and 0.30.
Both the DGT and the experts consulted agree that theThe only truly safe rate is 0.0 g/l. “No alcohol consumption is safe”explains Albert Espelt, coordinator of the Alcohol Working Group of the Spanish Society of Epidemiology, who emphasizes that you should not drink even a drop of alcohol while driving.
In his opinion, the most important thing about decisions such as lowering the permitted blood alcohol level is the impact that this measure has “on the denormalization of alcohol consumption“.
“It has been shown that the decrease in rates implies a general decrease in alcohol consumption. This means that we will have fewer adolescents exposed to parents who regularly drink a beer, because they will no longer be able to do so if they then have to drive. That contribution to the denormalization of alcohol consumption is very positive in a society that continues to see it as normal for alcohol to be present everywhere,” he reflects.
When do the effects of alcohol begin to be noticed?
It can begin to be detected in the blood almost immediately, within 5 minutes of ingesting it. The maximum level of detection is between 30 and 90 minutes. According to the DGT, a person with a blood alcohol level of 1g/l may need between six and 10 hours for their blood alcohol level to drop below the maximum allowable level.
Are there methods to lower blood alcohol levels?
There are many myths about the possibility of reducing blood alcohol levels. In reality, neither exercising, taking gum or candy, nor drinking or chewing coffee works. Smoking, drinking a lot of water or taking other drugs is also not helpful.