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Author: Peter Cutforth

  • One in Six Perth Drivers Breach Alcohol Interlock Conditions

    According to a recent article on Perth Now, one in six drink drivers who are forced to install an alcohol interlock device in their vehicles to get behind the wheel, is breaching their restricted licence.

    Since the new laws became effective in October last year, 118 interlock restricted licences has been issued.

    Figures showed that in the first year, 86 people had breath-testing immobilisers installed in their own vehicles as their own cost of about $1600, but in that period 19 breaches were recorded.

    The scheme may soon be introduced in Victoria, with Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts signaling an interest in an interlock model. Source: https://www.perthnow.com.au

  • Don’t Attempt to Swim While Drunk

    Risk taking young men have been warned not to try swimming in Melbourne’s Yarra River, the deadliest inland river per metre in Australia.

    Alcohol and drugs have led to a number of tourists and local young men daring each other to swim in the river, contributing to regular drownings.

    In fact in the last 15 years there have been 37 drownings in the river, whereas the Murray river which is 10 times longer, had 70 deaths.

    According to a Life Saving Victoria spokesperson, alcohol is a major contributor. It’s actually illegal to swim in the Yarra River in the CBD but people, often intoxicated dare each other to swim across it. While it may appear easy, there are currents, lack of visibility and things lying underneath that contribute to drownings, the spokesperson said.

    Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/05/melbournes-yarra-river-deadliest-for-drowning-deaths-in-australia

  • 10 Wine Facts Your Always Wondered About

    If you ever wondered things about wine, like what’s the difference between Shiraz and Syrah, what’s the orange in orange wine, what is natural wine and how long can you keep a bottle of wine after it’s opened, then this post may help.

    We all have those wine questions we’ve been too afraid to ask, especially because the people who have the answers are usually wine snobs and would look down their noses at any one asking these questions.

    One question I’ve always wondered is how long can a bottle of wine keep after its been opened? Experts says a bottle of wine should be finished within 2 nights. On the third day it will start to smell a little funky.

    How do producers determine a wine’s price? A combination of how much it cost to make and how much the producers think people are willing to pay. For example grapes from hand-tended vineyards cost the producer more than those maintained and harvested with machinery.

    For more of your wine questions answered, read https://www.goodfood.com.au/drinks/wine/10-things-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-wine-but-were-afraid-to-ask-20171025-gz7qz4

  • Expert Body Says Drink Driving in Autonomous Vehicles Should be Legal

    The National Transport Commission, an independent advisory board has released a discussion paper in which it suggests that people under the influence of alcohol or drugs should be allowed to use automated cars without falling foul of the law.

    They advisory body said currently laws prohibit the use of driverless cars when intoxicated but this could be a barrier to the uptake of automated vehicles.

    The body also says that allowing people to use automated vehicles after drinking would improve road safety.

    People that choose to take over the driving in an automated vehicle however would be held liable under drink driving laws, the NTC said.

    See more https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/06/drink-driving-driverless-car-should-be-legal-expert-body-says.html

  • Alcohol Abuse on The Rise, but Whats the Solution?

    While the quantity of alcohol being consumed is declining, as Australians opt for quality over quantity, those that are abusing alcohol are getting more drunk and causing more harm.

    Workers on the front line, such as those from the Broome sober-up shelter say people are drinking so severely that they cant even walk themselves in, they have to be brought in wheelchairs.

    They say over the 18 years since the shelter opened, the severity of intoxication has increased and breathalysing clients has revealed this increase in intoxication levels.

    One solution that has been put forward, is the introduction of a minimum floor price for alcohol.

    This would mean that alcohol could not be sold cheaper than the floor price set per alcohol unit.

    This method has proven successful in other countries like Canada and as a result, state governments such as the WA government are considering it as a solution to the alcohol abuse problem. There are some people that believe this would give rise to an even bigger problem, that of black market alcohol.

    As servers of alcohol we must ensure we aren’t contributing to the problem. We can do our part by adhering to Responsible Service of Alcohol rules.

    Find out more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-21/alcohol-floor-price-considered-tackle-abuse-wa/9071544

  • Did You Know You Could Be Allergic To Alcohol

    Do you frequently experience adverse effects to alcohol? It may be more than a hangover, you may actually be having an allergic reaction.

    You should see an allergist or your doctor if you suspect you may be allergic  to anything but experts have discovered a few common symptoms to look out for for alcohol allergies which includes red, hot skin as well as hives, trouble breathing and diarrhoea and nausea.

    Alcohol allergies are actually a genetic trait, so inquire with your family members if they have similar allergies.

    Read the full story here.

  • Beer Cocktails to Quench Your Summer Thirst

    If the Shandy has been the only beer cocktail you’ve had recently, you may want to give this Spicier Shandy a try.

    Ingredients include,

    • The juice of one lime
    • 100mL of very cold, good ginger beer
    • 100mL very cold beer
    • 1 lime round
    • A pinch of salt

    Then, fill a glass with ice and leave it to chill. Remove the ice add the lime juice, ginger beer and regular beer to the glass and gently stir with a long spoon.

    Add a little salt on a lime round and float it on top the glass.You can also add a shot of vodka or gin.

    For more beer recipes go to https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/10/these-beer-cocktails-will-keep-your-summer-sudsy/

  • What You Should Know About Whisky Drinking

    If you want to get started not just drinking whisky but enjoying it, a recent article on Lifehacker.com.au can help.

    What whisky you drink will depend on how much you’re willing to spend. Obviously the best whisky can be pretty pricey.

    Experts such as Macallan’s Manager of Brand Education, Charlie Whitfield, says blended scotch is an affordable option whereas single malt is more expensive.

    He then recommends examining the colour of the whisky before even putting the glass to your lips. The colour is indicative of the type of cask it came from, American oak, European oak etc. Next, smell the whisky before drinking it. He recommends drinking it neat.

    Read the article here.

     

     

  • How Does Alcohol Affect Your Hormone Balance

    Have you ever wondered whether alcohol affects your hormone levels?

    According to Amy Shah, M.D., a renowned functional medicine doctor and trained ayurvedic practitioner,alcohol consumption can increase estrogen but effects vary from person to person.

    Conversely alcohol consumption can decrease testosterone, but again this depends on how much you drink.

    Although these effects are usually minimal, heavy drinking on a regular basis can cause problematic hormone level changes in both males and females, experts warn. Some of the effects include weight gain, lowered testosterone levels in women and possible infertility in both men and women.

    Read more https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/is-drinking-alcohol-bad-for-hormone-balance

  • Teenage Drinkers are Fewer but Drink More per Session

    According to research, Australian teenagers are drinking an average of 13 alcoholic drinks per session with one in five even experiencing blackouts.

    Although fewer teens are drinking, those that are drinking are doing so to more alarming and dangerous levels.

    The new research from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre showed that almost half of Australia’s psychostimulant drug users reported mental health problems and one in five had taken unknown drugs.

    The study involving 3500 of the heaviest drinking teenagers between 14 and 19 found that they drank on average 13 standard drinks (males knocked back an average of 15 drinks and females 11 at a time).

    The study showed that more young people are opting not to drink but the younger ones are still drinking large quantities.

    As servers of alcohol it’s part of our responsibility to ensure we don’t serve alcohol to teenagers under the age of 18. We can make sure of this by asking for an ID every time.See more at http://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/teenage-drinkers-are-fewer-but-theyre-downing-more-in-a-session/news-story/7c0a380fea30c89bd74457ff7ee91aed