RSA Course Online

Author: Peter Cutforth

  • RSA Staff – Importance of Paying Attention to Patrons

    What does the work of a bartender or waitron involve? Simply serving food and beverages to customers? Actually bartenders, waitron and staff of licenced venues’ responsibilities involves much more than merely taking people’s orders, it involves ensuring that the harm done to society by alcohol abusers is minimised. This is done by enforcing Responsible Service of Alcohol legislation and following the rules set out by the law and the establishment you work in.

    It is true that the level of alcohol fuelled misconduct in entertainment districts all across the country has gotten out of hand and has public servants such as the police and medical staff as well as the  public concerned, some even too scared to venture into certain districts on weekends or at night. Violent attacks, brawls and drink driving are the main problems and RSA staff do not need to sit back and observe but can actually do something to improve the situation.

    One of the ways that RSA staff can contribute to a safer Oz is by observing and enforcing responsible service of alcohol laws, such as never serving alcohol to unduly intoxicated patrons. Paying better attention to customers is one of the ways RSA staff can ensure that some unduly intoxicated patron is not slipping through the cracks.

    While many RSA staff may be of the opinion that it’s just none of their business how much alcohol a patron consumes, according to the law they have a responsibility to never serve alcohol to unduly intoxicated patrons.

    The consequences of serving unduly intoxicated patrons can go beyond fines for licensees and their staff, people can be hurt and lives can be lost if responsible service of alcohol rules are not followed. For example if a patron you serve excessively becomes drunk and assaults another patrons or someone outside the venue, you and the licensee may be held accountable. Consequences could be even worse if someone’s life was to be lost as a result.

    Responsible service of alcohol training teaches workers how to identify intoxicated patrons and how to deal with them. It also teaches RSA staff the consequences they and their employer may face if RSA laws are breached.

    If staff of licenced venues pay more attention to their patrons and begin enforcing RSA rules more closely, we should see a decline in alcohol fuelled violence and misconduct on our streets.

    Managers of licensed venues should ensure all their employees are properly trained and know the products that you sell as well as being trained in Responsible Service of Alcohol. Staff of licensed venues from security staff to bartenders must obtain the RSA certificate and keep a copy of the certificate on the premises at all times.

    By paying better attention to customers and ensuring that you are your co-workers do not serve too much alcohol to patrons, you too can do your bit in reducing alcohol fuelled problems in the country.

     

  • Parents Beware of Giving Alcohol to your Kids

    Alarmingly research in Australia has revealed that most teenagers who drink aren’t buying their own alcohol but are most often being given alcohol by their parents.

    Parents may believe that giving alcohol to teens is a way of actually keeping them out of trouble by encouraging them to drink in their presence rather than behind their back, parents need to realise the physical effects of alcohol on a developing adolescent.

    The culture of binge drinking has become an extremely problematic one in Oz, with most teenagers drinking to unacceptable levels causing them to engage in dangerous activities which threaten their health and wellbeing, but what is even more concerning is that most of these teen binge drinkers are actually obtaining alcohol from an adult rather than buying it from RSA staff themselves.

    Something parents should remember is that binge drinking may not seem dangerous now but in addition to serious immediate and long term health effects, it can lead to the use of other drugs. It is commonly referred to as a “gateway drug” because it can open the door for other illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and heroin.

    Alcohol is a drug that works directly on the central nervous system. Studies show that alcohol kills more male teenagers and young men than any other drug taken to affect mood and behaviour including heroin, cocaine and marijuana.

    Numerous studies have in the past discovered strong links between drinking early in life (ie. adolescence) and becoming a binge drinker later in life, many of whom progress on to alcohol addictions.

    In teens whose bodies are still developing and do not have any alcohol tolerance the problem of alcohol poisoning is particularly rife and potentially deadly. It is caused by alcohol slowing down the body’s functions such as breathing, heart rate, and gag reflex, thereby potentially leading to choking, coma, stopped breathing, stopped heart, and death.

    Waiters, bartenders, liquor store attendants etc. should ensure that they are not contributing to any of these teenage problems by asking everyone who looks under 23 for their proof of age and denying service to any underage patrons.

    Parents who demonstrate responsible behaviour and drink moderately and responsibly are the best teachers for children to learn good drinking habits, conversely parents who abuse alcohol and get out of hand every time they drink are likely to pass on bad habits to their kids.

    Not convinced? Then consider these damaging effects on youth:

    • Young, under developed organs can literally be poisoned by alcohol.
    • The liver can be damaged irreparably. It takes a few days for it to recover and to get back to normal functioning after a ‘session’ of binge drinking
    • A session of binge drinking can cause the heart beat to be so irregularly that it can stop.
    • The body can drop its temperature and suffer hypothermia. Every year some teens die when they get drunk and pass out in the freezing cold.
    • Too little sugar in the body can cause coma and seizures.
    • Breathing can become so shallow or slow that it can stop.
    • Disturbingly, one of the most common occurrences resulting in teen death from alcohol is when they choke on the own vomit because they are unconscious and breathe in the vomit. The body doesn’t get the oxygen needed resulting in brain damage and death.

     

  • Call for MPs to Stick to alcohol code of Conduct

    Since the debacle involving a drunken MP there have been calls for an alcohol code of conduct for MPs. The issue revolves around Finance Minister Greg Pearce who was recently warned by NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell that he would be sacked if he was found drunk during parliamentary debates, whether during the day or night.

    The NSW Greens will move a motion that involves a code of conduct for the intake of alcohol by MPs to be implemented when parliament resumes in a fortnight.

    According to Greens MP John Kaye, who has been vocal in his criticism of the incident, a code of conduct for alcohol is needed. Kaye doesn’t believe completely banning MPs from drinking at parliament would happen but a code of conduct is needed to ensure that our state’s leaders do not “overdo” it – thereby affecting their ability to make logical decisions regarding the state’s welfare.

    Christian Democratic MP, Fred Nile has called once again for alcohol to be completely banned from parliament house. He went on to say, according to an article on Smh.com.au:

    “There’s a fridge in every member’s office,” Reverend Nile said. “Sometimes when I see the doors open they’re full of grog. You could drink all day if you had a problem.”

    Reverend Nile said his repeated calls to ban alcohol in parliament had fallen on deaf ears because “we’ve got a strong core of drinkers”.

    “Parliament is an industrial workplace and it’s banned in other workplaces,” he said. “All government employees, such as police and train drivers, are banned from drinking at work – except the employers [MPs]”.

    Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/call-for-mps-to-be-bound-by-alcohol-code-of-conduct-20130603-2nlal.html

    According to reports MP Pearce was inebriated during a marathon sitting of the upper house which ended at 4am on Thursday, which resulted in him having to be excused before the debate concluded.

    Although the MP denies having been drunk, claiming he had only a few drinks at a party fundraiser the evening before, the MP said he was merely “exhausted”. Premier O’Farrell said in a statement that he warned Mr Pearce that a repeat of this behaviour would result in him being fired. O’Farrell went on to explain that politicians and MPs in particular are expected to “meet community expectations” including in the workplace, this is complicated when MPs are under the influence of alcohol.

    The post on Smh.com.au goes on to explain:

    The incident has renewed focus on the issue of MPs’ access to alcohol at parliament and the appropriateness of long sitting hours.

    The staff bar on Level 7 of parliament house provides heavily discounted alcohol to MPs, parliamentary staff and press gallery journalists. MPs also have access to cheap alcohol with meals in the parliamentary dining room and in their offices.

    Last year, the shadow treasurer, Michael Daley, apologized to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Shelley Hancock, after an altercation in parliament during which he was accused of being drunk.

    Mr Daley admitted to “having a couple of drinks” but denied being inebriated when ejected from the chamber after the altercation at 2.30am during a debate over changes to workers’ compensation laws.

    At the time, Mr O’Farrell yelled: “Can you find a sober speaker on that side?”

    Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/call-for-mps-to-be-bound-by-alcohol-code-of-conduct-20130603-2nlal.html

     

  • Binge Drinking Death Toll Too High

    I recently came across an article on the British Guardians website which highlighted the extremely high death toll attributed to binge drinking.

    According to the article in 2011-2012 there were over 1.2 million alcohol related hospital admissions in England, which is more than double the admissions a decade ago.

    There has also been a wopping 500 per cent increase in deaths from liver cirrhosis caused by alcohol abuse in the last 4 decades in that country. These problematic drinking trends are largely mimicked in countries such as Australia, where similar binge drinking problems have been identified.

    Alcohol costs the British economy around £25bn each year (more than Aus$39billion) because of the huge impact on health, crime, societal woes, workplace and family problems. It has also been found to further entrench health and social inequalities.

    These are some of the other findings, as reported on www.guardian.co.uk

    The most socially and economically deprived have up to 10 times greater alcohol-related mortality and admissions to hospital. Approximately a third of all A&E attendances are alcohol-related, reaching up to 80% at weekends. Something has to be done.

    Traditionally, we associate alcohol-related harm with the middle-aged, and it is true that this age group, especially men, have the highest rates of liver disease. However, liver specialists are now caring for teenagers with cirrhosis, or life-threatening necrosis of the pancreas, after just five years of sustained, heavy binge drinking.

    Young women are especially vulnerable, since they have less body water than men, resulting in higher blood alcohol concentrations for the same amount of alcohol drunk. I have seen five women in their 20s die from cirrhosis due to alcohol.

    Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jun/03/alcohol-killing-many-minimum-unit-pricing

    The article also describes the risks of heavy drinking on the health of drinkers, which includes high blood pressure, increased risk of strokes and developing cancer. There are extremely high and unacceptable numbers of young people, still in the 30s with permanent alcohol induced brain damage according to the article. These people require long term, supervised care which in addition to be highly expensive, there is a major shortage of.

    Over the last decade an ease of availability of alcohol has led to increased abuse and subsequent social problems. Whereas before people went to a bar or pub to buy alcohol, now they need only venture as far as their local supermarket, where also is also being discounted so that customers are more encouraged to buy. Just like in Oz were a bottle of water can cost more than alcohol, alcohol in Britain is cheaper than bottled water and is almost 45 per cent more affordable now than it was in the early eighties.

    The article goes on to explain:

    The introduction of a 50p minimum unit price in England could bring a nearly 7% reduction in average alcohol consumption and prevent more than 3,000 alcohol-related deaths and 98,000 hospital admissions each year. In addition, it could reduce annual alcohol-related crimes by more than 40,000, including 10,500 violent crimes.

    In British Columbia in Canada, a 10% increase in alcohol prices led to a 32% reduction in alcohol-related deaths and a 22% fall in the consumption of higher strength beers.

    Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jun/03/alcohol-killing-many-minimum-unit-pricing

     

  • USA Legislation to be passed about Calorie content on Liquor Bottles

    Are you aware of how many calories your favourite alcoholic drink contains? Would it surprise you to learn that one standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate or that a pint of beer can have as many or more calories than a packet of crisps? Most people don’t consider the fact that with regular drinking at a high rate, drinkers can notice a significant increase in their weight.

    Drinking in moderation is the best way of overcoming weight gain caused by excessive drinking. That means not exceeding the daily recommended amount for males and females and also not drinking heavily every day but leaving at least a 48 hour gap between heavy drinking sessions, however reading the calorific content of alcohol can help drinkers make the right choices.

    In the USA legislation has been tabled that will see alcoholic beverages getting nutritional labels like those seen on food packaging, however this will only apply if producers want this information conveyed to consumers, in other words it is not going to be mandatory.

    This article from http://latino.foxnews.com explains:

    For the first time, the Treasury Department, which regulates alcohol, said beer, wine and spirits companies can use labels that include serving size, servings per container, calories, carbohydrates, protein and fat per serving. Such package labels have never before been approved.

    However since the labels are voluntary, it will be up to beverage companies to decide whether to use them on their products.

    Source: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/health/2013/06/03/calorie-count-and-nutrition-labels-may-soon-be-required-on-all-bottled-alcohol/

    The ruling would allow the labels to declare alcohol content as a percentage of alcohol by volume, the approach favoured by the beer industry as well as display calorie content on the label.

    Making better choices:

    • If you are weight conscious, control your calorie intake by alternating one alcoholic drink with a glass of water, this helps the drinker stay hydrated and also limits the number of alcoholic drinks you consume in a night.
    • Never ever drink alcoholic drinks on an empty stomach and if you do intend on snacking while drinking, which is recommended, choose healthier options rather than unhealthy, greasy options which normally accompany a night of drinking such as crisps, chips, burgers and other fast foods.
    • Eat a healthier dinner before you start drinking rather than drink on an empty stomach. Order or cook before you start drinking so you’re not tempted to go for the less healthy options once you start downing alcohol.
    • Pace yourself by taking small sips and again don’t feel pressurized into keeping up with your friends. Drink at a pace that you are comfortable with and avoid binge drinking.
    • Remember just because something is labelled “light” doesn’t mean it won’t make you drunk and it also doesn’t mean that it is “fat free” – drink in moderation and responsibly to ensure that you do not suffer weight gain or become overly intoxicated by alcohol.

     

  • 6 Die in Iran from Homemade Alcohol

    Yet another 6 people have lost their lives after drinking home-made alcohol. This time 4 Iranians died in Southern Iran and another 298 people were poisoned.

    Nine of the people poisoned are now in a coma and have lost their vision and an additional 100 are on dialysis after drinking the home-made concoction last week.

    All of the victims were males under the age of 27 years old and it is thought that Iran’s law banning alcohol is the cause of the poisoning because people make their own alcohol at home illegally.

    The consumption of alcohol has been outlawed in the country since 1979 and anyone caught violating the laws can be imprisoned or lashed. Only certain communities within the country are allowed to discreetly make and consume alcohol in order to not offend Islamic traditionalists.

    According to reports around 60 to 80 million litres of alcohol are smuggled into Iran every year and countless amounts are made illegal at home.

    Surprisingly despite the country’s law, there are thousands of alcoholics living in Iran who fuel the home made alcohol industry. Home distilled spirits are cheaper than foreign imported alcohols but the use of poisonous industrial chemicals in its production can prove fatal.

    This post from LasVegasSun.com details what happened:

    Six Iranians have died and 348 have been sickened after drinking poisonous alcohol in the southeastern Kerman province.

    The semi-official ISNA news agency on Saturday quoted a medical official, Dr. Hamid Najmeddin, as saying that three people remained in critical condition at the hospital’s intensive care unit.

    Najmeddin says 67 others were also in hospital in the provincial capital of Rafsanjan. He says 75 people poisoned in Rafsanjan and 109 sickened elsewhere in Kerman province had to undergo dialysis but were later released from hospital.

    Most had consumed the bad alcohol on Wednesday.

    Drinking alcohol is illegal and considered sinful under Islamic law in Iran. However, homemade brews tend to be cheap and available on the black market.

    Source: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/jun/01/ml-iran-alcohol-poisoning/#axzz2V3tj69xX

    Anyone travelling abroad should be aware of the dangers of illegally produced alcohol. Just recently a British woman died while backpacking through the Indonesian jungle because of poisoned alcohol which she had bought from a shop in the jungle. Incidents like this are not uncommon in developing countries because it is cheaper to produce alcohol using industrial chemicals.

    Even though it is unlikely that we will encounter fake alcohol in Oz, we should still be careful when purchasing alcohol, especially when travelling overseas make sure you know what you’re drinking and that you are buying a sealed bottle from a reputable place.

    The substances the criminals usually make fake alcohol with are poisonous, including chemicals such as cleaning fluids, nail polish remover, isopropanol and methanol. People are often fooled by these fakes because they give off the same feeling as normal alcohol at first, but it’s only a matter of time before the effects turn bad, usually starting with a loss of eye sight.

     

  • Turkey Passes Controversial Alcohol Restrictions

    Turkey’s parliament has just passed a law which has caused much controversy in the modern, largely Muslim country.

    The law would restrict the consumption and advertising of alcohol in the country, which although predominantly Muslim has always been considered a more liberal nation.

    The law which was passed on Friday last week, prohibits the sale of alcoholic drinks between 10pm and 6am and also prohibits alcoholic beverage companies from sponsoring events. The law also restricts where alcoholic drinks can be consumed.

    While supporters of the law say it will protect society and particular children from the harms of alcohol, critics say it will allow the state, known for being a mix between the Muslim and European culture to become more pious and conservative.

    This post from TheAustralian.com.au explains:

    Supporters of the measure – introduced by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) party, which has its roots in Islam – say the law is seeking to protect society, particularly children, from the harmful effects of alcohol.

    But critics see it as a sign of creeping conservatism in predominantly Muslim but staunchly secular Turkey and argue the legislation intrudes into private life.

    TV series, films or music videos are not allowed to contain images encouraging the consumption of alcohol under the new legislation.

    Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/turkey-debates-alcohol-restrictions/story-fn3dxix6-1226649601335

    Despite being a rather secular state, the majority of Turkey’s population is made up of Muslims. And under the current ruling party, which is Islamic-based, more Muslim based ideologies such as headscarves and limiting alcohol has become common. The current Prime Minister has been accused of attempting to make the secular country more conservative.

    Another controversial aspect of the law is that it introduces harsher punishments for people caught drink driving. Drivers will be issued with a hefty fine (approximately $A400) and have their licences taken away and not be allowed to drive for 6 months – this is for people caught driving over the 0.05 limit however people over 0.1 will face jail time of up to 2 years imprisonment. If that doesn’t serve as a deterrent to drink driving, I don’t know what will!

    The article goes on to state:

    Drivers with a blood alcohol content of more than 0.05 per cent will be slapped with a 700-Turkish lira (nearly $A400) fine and their driving licences will be confiscated for a six-month period.

    Drunken drivers with a blood alcohol level over 0.1 per cent will face up to two years’ imprisonment.

    The law must be approved by President Abdullah Gul to take effect. He is expected to sign it soon.

    Prime Minister RecepTayyipErdogan’s populist government, in power for over a decade, is often accused of creeping efforts to make the country more conservative and pious.

    Erdogan, a devout Muslim who does not drink or smoke, said recently that ayran, a non-alcoholic refresher made from yoghurt, was the “national drink” of the Turks.

    Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/turkey-debates-alcohol-restrictions/story-fn3dxix6-1226649601335

     

  • Vic Police want Zero Alcohol Limit for Young Adults

    Police in Victoria have called for the alcohol limit for young adult drivers, aged under 25 to be dropped to zero. According to police in the state dropping the alcohol limit for drivers under the age of 25 is the best way of saving lives on our roads.

    Police say if this zero limit is initiated in the state, then other conditions such as P-plate licences and passenger number restrictions do not need to be addressed.

    Road crashes involving alcohol have become a major problem on Vic roads, especially affecting people between the ages of 22-25, according to traffic police.

    This article on Sbs.com.au explains further:

    Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill says too many people aged 22-25 are still being killed and injured in alcohol-related crashes.

    When a zero alcohol limit was imposed on P-plate drivers in 2009, it halved the percentage of alcohol-related crashes for drivers aged 18-22, from 40 per cent to 20 per cent.

    But Mr Hill says crashes by drivers aged 22-25 are still alcohol-related 40 per cent of the time, and the way to tackle it is to extend the zero alcohol limit.

    “There’s now medical research that indicates that our young people, our young males in particular, there’s a lack of maturity in the brain for these people, where they make impulsive decisions, not understanding the consequences of their actions,” Mr Hill told reporters in Melbourne.

    “Why compound that risk by having alcohol as part of the equation when they’re behind the wheel of a motorcar?”

    Source: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1769178/Vic-police-want-zero-alcohol-for-25yos

    Mr Hill went on to explain his desire for community discussion on the issue and that he was not immediately looking at reviewing other P-plate restrictions like passenger numbers and high powered vehicles. Hill is simply calling for removal of alcohol from the equation completely, because young people especially males between 22-25 are not able to judge whether they are within the legal limits when they decide to get behind the wheel.

    VicRoads is apparently also behind the proposal as well as TAC and the Department of Justice, but Hill has reiterated that the community’s support is still needed before the state government can consider change.

    Victoria has led the way in the past when it comes to road safety initiatives, previously introducing compulsory seat belts and random breath testing.

    The Vic Premier has said these measures will not just be introduced but will first be tested to ensure that they will indeed be beneficial to road safety before they can initiate change.

    In the article Hill and the Premier go on to explain:

    “We have seen major, major initiatives here in this state that have led the world in reducing road trauma. This is just the next logical step in my view in terms of trying to reduce road trauma in this state.”

    Victorian Premier Denis Napthine said the proposals should be put to the government’s road safety committee, headed by Police and Emergency Services Minister Kim Wells.

    “We are open to all suggestions that will improve road safety,” Dr Napthine told reporters.

    “They need to be tested and if they are efficacious, then we will implement them.”

    Source: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1769178/Vic-police-want-zero-alcohol-for-25yos

     

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol News: Police Sergeant Caught Drink Driving

    What happens when those meant to enforce the law are actually the ones breaking it?

    This is the question many Aussies on the Gold Coast are asking themselves following an incident this week.

    A crash involving an off-duty police sergeant shocked many people not because of the nature of the crash but because the police sergeant was apparently over the legal blood alcohol limit at the time. The policeman recorded a reading of 0.064, the legal limit is 0.05.

    The sergeant from the South Eastern Region has been given notice to appear for drink driving in Southport Magistrates Court in June.

    The crash occurred in the early hours of the morning and involved 2 other vehicles in addition to the one the sergeant was driving.

    Read what happened according to an article on TheAustralian.com.au

    Off-duty police sergeant allegedly recorded blood alcohol reading of .064 per cent after Gold Coast accident

    AN off-duty policeman has been caught drink driving on the Gold Coast this morning.

    A 53-year-old sergeant from the South Eastern Region has been given a notice to appear for drink driving after he was involved in a three-car crash at Helensvale on the Gold Coast about 5.30am.

    The officer was breath tested and subsequently charged with drink-driving after recording a blood alcohol reading of 0.064 per cent.

    He will appear in Southport Magistrates Court on June 19.

    Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/off-duty-police-sergeant-allegedly-recorded-blood-alcohol-reading-of-064-per-cent-after-gold-coast-accident/story-e6frg6n6-1226647838816

    Drink driving is always a risk because even if you aren’t involved in a crash, there is a chance that police may randomly stop you and ask you to take a breath test, which they are legally allowed to do at any time. However if a crash does occur, even if you are not the cause, you will most likely be blamed and will face other consequences – if you are lucky enough to survive.

    Although many people may feel 100 per cent fine after drinking and may believe that they can safely get behind the wheel of a car, science proves that alcohol alters our ability to drive or operate any machinery safely.Alcohol has been identified as the leading cause of car crashes in Oz and according to research drivers who tested over the limit doubled their chances of causing a crash, you would expect a member of the police force to be more aware of this than anyone.

    Many drivers arrange for transport home after a night of binge drinking but forget that alcohol stays in your body a long time and in fact it takes your body much longer to get rid of the alcohol than it does to absorb it. Therefore if you indulge in a heavy night of drinking and then drive chances are alcohol will still be present in your body and will affect your driving ability the next morning, as is likely what happened with the police sergeant.

    There is no need to stop drinking, alcohol in itself is not to blame for the alcohol fuelled issues we are experiencing such as violence and drink driving crashes. Alcohol is an excellent social lubricant and may even have some health benefits when consumed in moderation. The problem is when people drink irresponsibly and engage in dangerous behaviour such as binge drinking, underage drinking and drink driving.

     

  • America Urged to Cut Limit on Alcohol for Drivers

    A debate is raging in The United States about whether or not to lower the legal alcohol limit for drivers following a surge in road deaths caused by drink driving.

    According to an article on The New York Times website, thousands of people are killed on American roads each year by car crashes caused by drivers who have been drinking but have not reached the legal alcohol limit. Therefore these drivers are not actually “drink driving” because they are acting within the law, yet lives are still being lost.

    The National Transportation Safety Board said that it recommended states reduce the allowance blood-alcohol concentration by more than one third. It is currently 0.08 per cent BAC whereas it has been suggested that the USA drop this to 0.05, this is more in line with standards around the world, including in Oz.

    According to the group, the current standard is outdated, it was established over a decade ago and at present around 10,000 fatalities are happening on USA’s roads each year.

    Read what the article on NYTimes.com went on to discuss about the issue:

    “There are at least 10,000 reasons to tackle this issue,” said Deborah A. P. Hersman, the chairwoman of the board. Foreign countries with stricter standards have had substantially more success, according to the board.

    The board voted for a variety of recommendations. Some, like requiring that everyone convicted of drunken driving be required to install a Breathalyzer interlock in their car, which would prevent the vehicle from starting without an alcohol test, were focused on heavy drinkers and repeat offenders.

    Officials said they hoped that a stricter standard would reduce drinking and driving both among social drinkers and among heavy drinkers.

    Blood-alcohol concentration varies by body weight, gender, stomach contents and other factors, but generally speaking, a 180-pound man could consume four beers or glasses of wine in 90 minutes without reaching the current limit. At a limit of 0.05 percent, he could legally consume only three. A 130-pound woman could probably consume three drinks in 90 minutes and be legal under the existing standard; if the limit were lowered, she could consume only two.

    Read more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/15/us/legal-limit-drunken-driving-safety-board.html?_r=0

    However not everyone thinks reducing the BAC limit for drivers is such a good idea. Members of the American Beverage Institute have criticised it for failing to address the real problem, drunk drivers not drivers who are responsible by sticking to the limit. The post goes on to explain:

    The blood-alcohol recommendation faces opposition. Sarah Longwell, the managing director at the American Beverage Institute, a restaurant trade association, called the idea “ludicrous.”

    “Moving from 0.08 to 0.05 would criminalize perfectly responsible behavior,” she said. And “further restriction of moderate consumption of alcohol by responsible adults prior to driving does nothing to stop hard-core drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel.”

    Read more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/15/us/legal-limit-drunken-driving-safety-board.html?_r=0

    But government statistics have apparently been provided which show that people with a blood-alcohol level of 0.05 percent are 38 percent more likely to be involved in a crash than those who have not been drinking while people with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent are 169 percent more likely.

    Most American states only switched to a BAC of 0.08 in the year 2000 when Bill Clinton signed a law which withheld highway construction money from states that did not do so but the rest of the world agrees that 0.05 BAC is the acceptable limit and some countries like South Africa are even considering lowering it even further after a number of alcohol induced crashes.