BabyRider;482667 wrote: The drunk driver that I am currently battling is using every weapon at his extensive arsenal. The phuckers attorney is dragging the battle out by doing such repulsive things as bringing the breathalyzer machine that was used to test him into question. Since he's a minor, the lawyer is saying that the calibration of the machine can't accurately measure the amount of alcohol in his system. It's a desperate effort, and won't work, but it does create a much longer court case than would be normal. I am utterly revolted at the extensive means that drunks get to argue their "case." This dumbass has been CONVICTED of drunk driving 4 times in his 19 years. He's a 3-time loser and still has his license. Do I think the laws are unfair? I sure do. To the victims.
The lawyer has to do his best.... it's his job! "the calibration's out 'cos the DD
is a minor"?? Laughable, hopefully whoever's prosecuting him will stamp on that
sort of stupidity straight away. A minor, at 19? That seems odd from a UK
perspective. Did the DD have insurance, I wonder?
Drink driving at christmas
-
Bill Sikes
- Posts: 5515
- Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2004 2:21 am
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Bill Sikes
- Posts: 5515
- Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2004 2:21 am
Drink driving at christmas
Galbally;482859 wrote: I was talking about my own jurisdiction really, I think that in general the U.K. has a much better philosophy than Ireland in terms of enforcing traffic laws in general, we over here for whatever reasons have had a laizze faire attitute to regulating our roads, for instance mandatory breath testing has only been brough in this year, 2006, and since it has been brought in the rates of prosecutions for drink driving have gone up by something like 80 percent.
Wow! Only this year! The limit's recently been reduced, too, AFAIR - from 100 to
80mg/100ml of blood. I assume there are sufficient rural watering-holes for the
locals? As inthe UK people will have to change their ways somewhat, by the
sound!
Wow! Only this year! The limit's recently been reduced, too, AFAIR - from 100 to
80mg/100ml of blood. I assume there are sufficient rural watering-holes for the
locals? As inthe UK people will have to change their ways somewhat, by the
sound!
Drink driving at christmas
I know this is about drunk/drink driving, but I thought it was worth mentioning while on the subject.
We all know that drinking and driving is a major safety risk, not only for those who willingly break the law, but for others as well. But I thought it was worth mentioning that sleep deprivation is a major factor in automobile accidents as well, and that my feeling pertaining to the nature of it all, is more of a judgement call based on ones respect for others who are entitled to just as much safety as anyone, even those who wish to chance the possibility of unconsciousness or just simply their inability to maintain control of their vehicle.
Heres an article I have come across, and would like to share it.
(While I am just as furious with people who cannot seem to judge correctly their ability to sacrifice their wants as a result of their own indulgence, I can't help but wonder if people who are involved or know anyone involved in accidents from sleep deprivation not hold the same resentment for those who are involved in accidents that are alcohol related - To me, they are both a judgement call that supercedes their own personal respect for other drivers' right to have a safe driving environment - I realize that drinking is something that is more self induced, which may be the primary reason for such criticism, but to think about all of it in it's entirety, they are both equally bad choices as a direct result of ones own selfish, egotistical disregard for anyone other than themselves)
Lack of sleep another safety risk factor - Editorial - medical errors
AORN Journal, Oct, 2003 by Nancy J. Girard
A terrible accident occurred recently when a car driving on an interstate highway suddenly veered across the median and smacked head-on into an 18-wheel truck. The entire family in the car was killed instantly. An investigation determined that the car's driver had fallen asleep at the wheel. Family members later said the car's occupants were on their way home from a vacation and had decided to drive all night to avoid paying for a motel room. This tragedy occurred because of sleep deprivation, and it should not have happened.
Although this is an example of an extreme consequence of sleep deprivation that luckily does not happen often, lack of sleep has been identified as a major contributing factor to accidents. Indeed, people with sleep apnea leading to loss of sleep have been found to have as high an incidence of traffic accidents as people who are under the influence of alcohol. (1) Drivers who have not had enough sleep can have driving problems that are comparable to those experienced by people with modest blood alcohol levels. The loss of as little as three hours of usual sleep affects an individual's ability to maintain a consistent speed and a stable road position. (2)
Safety is a factor wherever loss of sleep exists. Sleep deprivation has been related to an increase in industrial accidents, poor academic performance, delays in recovery from hospitalization, and misdiagnoses mad errors in health care settings. For example, one study found that attending physicians were slower in performing intubations and had slower general reaction times when they were sleep deprived. This was especially evident as the physicians rotated through the night shift. (3)
SLEEP DEPRIVATION
Sleep deprivation is the absence of sleep during a period of time that is determined by an individual's need. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews lists many studies about sleep deprivation that have been conducted across a wide variety of situations. Participations include students, health care professionals, patients, pilots, astronauts, and others. Sleep deprivation's effects can be mild to severe, depending on the length of time a person goes without sleep and the recuperative abilities of the individual. Everyone who has ever been a student (and that includes every nurse) remembers pulling at least one "all-nighter" when studying for exams or finals. Unfortunately, as it turns out, that was exactly the wrong time to be sleep deprived. (4)
After graduation, nurses have jobs and schedules that lead to sleep deprivation. This includes rotating shifts, being on call all night and then working regularly assigned shifts the next day, or working double shifts and having home responsibilities that prevent them from sleeping during precious free hours. (5)
EFFECTS OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION
Effects of sleep loss are fairly well recognized and include slower reaction times, decreased ability to perform fine psychomotor skills, mood changes, cognitive changes, and memory problems. (6) Physiological changes also can result if loss of sleep continues for an extended period of time. Although short-term sleep deprivation does not affect the immune system, some studies have shown that prolonged lack of sleep produces changes in cortisol levels and the immune system, as well as decreases in insulin sensitivity. (7)
Loss of sleep adversely affects the ability to perform tasks that require sustained and continuous attention. (8) It also appears to affect the neural auditory system by slowing the response time between hearing something and reacting to it. Even vocal intonations are affected by sleep deprivation, with tones becoming slower and flatter. (9)
IMPLICATIONS FOR PERIOPERATIVE NURSES
For a surgical team, loss of sleep potentially can create many safety and work problems, including
* risk of increased accidents,
* risk of increased errors,
* decreased ability to quickly solve problems,
* slower reaction and performance time in psychomotor skills, (10) and
* negative impact on the work environment because of mood swings and the decreased ability of sleep-deprived personnel to cope with workplace stress. (11)
The treatment for sleep deprivation is simple--get some sleep. Like most things, however, this is easier said than done. Physicians often have a room in the hospital where they can catch a short nap, but there is no place or time for others on the surgical team to do likewise.
Effects of sleep loss also can be counteracted the old fashioned way; that is, by drinking a couple of cups of strong coffee. (12) Unfortunately, other pharmacological agents also have been used to counteract the effects of sleepiness, which may contribute to safety problems in the OR.
CONCLUSION
Sleep deprivation is an old problem that has resurfaced because of the nursing shortage, decreased financial ability to hire adequate staff, and greatly increasing workloads. Staffing assignments should be evaluated to identify situations that contribute to sleep deprivation, and those situations should be corrected. Managers should be aware of the potential for accidents and consider increased risks for error when they schedule work shifts and call. Safety is a major concern for both patients and staff members, and simple, inexpensive solutions can counteract the risk of an accident occurring because of sleep deprivation. With some attention, sleep deprivation should not be a major problem in the OR.
We all know that drinking and driving is a major safety risk, not only for those who willingly break the law, but for others as well. But I thought it was worth mentioning that sleep deprivation is a major factor in automobile accidents as well, and that my feeling pertaining to the nature of it all, is more of a judgement call based on ones respect for others who are entitled to just as much safety as anyone, even those who wish to chance the possibility of unconsciousness or just simply their inability to maintain control of their vehicle.
Heres an article I have come across, and would like to share it.
(While I am just as furious with people who cannot seem to judge correctly their ability to sacrifice their wants as a result of their own indulgence, I can't help but wonder if people who are involved or know anyone involved in accidents from sleep deprivation not hold the same resentment for those who are involved in accidents that are alcohol related - To me, they are both a judgement call that supercedes their own personal respect for other drivers' right to have a safe driving environment - I realize that drinking is something that is more self induced, which may be the primary reason for such criticism, but to think about all of it in it's entirety, they are both equally bad choices as a direct result of ones own selfish, egotistical disregard for anyone other than themselves)
Lack of sleep another safety risk factor - Editorial - medical errors
AORN Journal, Oct, 2003 by Nancy J. Girard
A terrible accident occurred recently when a car driving on an interstate highway suddenly veered across the median and smacked head-on into an 18-wheel truck. The entire family in the car was killed instantly. An investigation determined that the car's driver had fallen asleep at the wheel. Family members later said the car's occupants were on their way home from a vacation and had decided to drive all night to avoid paying for a motel room. This tragedy occurred because of sleep deprivation, and it should not have happened.
Although this is an example of an extreme consequence of sleep deprivation that luckily does not happen often, lack of sleep has been identified as a major contributing factor to accidents. Indeed, people with sleep apnea leading to loss of sleep have been found to have as high an incidence of traffic accidents as people who are under the influence of alcohol. (1) Drivers who have not had enough sleep can have driving problems that are comparable to those experienced by people with modest blood alcohol levels. The loss of as little as three hours of usual sleep affects an individual's ability to maintain a consistent speed and a stable road position. (2)
Safety is a factor wherever loss of sleep exists. Sleep deprivation has been related to an increase in industrial accidents, poor academic performance, delays in recovery from hospitalization, and misdiagnoses mad errors in health care settings. For example, one study found that attending physicians were slower in performing intubations and had slower general reaction times when they were sleep deprived. This was especially evident as the physicians rotated through the night shift. (3)
SLEEP DEPRIVATION
Sleep deprivation is the absence of sleep during a period of time that is determined by an individual's need. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews lists many studies about sleep deprivation that have been conducted across a wide variety of situations. Participations include students, health care professionals, patients, pilots, astronauts, and others. Sleep deprivation's effects can be mild to severe, depending on the length of time a person goes without sleep and the recuperative abilities of the individual. Everyone who has ever been a student (and that includes every nurse) remembers pulling at least one "all-nighter" when studying for exams or finals. Unfortunately, as it turns out, that was exactly the wrong time to be sleep deprived. (4)
After graduation, nurses have jobs and schedules that lead to sleep deprivation. This includes rotating shifts, being on call all night and then working regularly assigned shifts the next day, or working double shifts and having home responsibilities that prevent them from sleeping during precious free hours. (5)
EFFECTS OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION
Effects of sleep loss are fairly well recognized and include slower reaction times, decreased ability to perform fine psychomotor skills, mood changes, cognitive changes, and memory problems. (6) Physiological changes also can result if loss of sleep continues for an extended period of time. Although short-term sleep deprivation does not affect the immune system, some studies have shown that prolonged lack of sleep produces changes in cortisol levels and the immune system, as well as decreases in insulin sensitivity. (7)
Loss of sleep adversely affects the ability to perform tasks that require sustained and continuous attention. (8) It also appears to affect the neural auditory system by slowing the response time between hearing something and reacting to it. Even vocal intonations are affected by sleep deprivation, with tones becoming slower and flatter. (9)
IMPLICATIONS FOR PERIOPERATIVE NURSES
For a surgical team, loss of sleep potentially can create many safety and work problems, including
* risk of increased accidents,
* risk of increased errors,
* decreased ability to quickly solve problems,
* slower reaction and performance time in psychomotor skills, (10) and
* negative impact on the work environment because of mood swings and the decreased ability of sleep-deprived personnel to cope with workplace stress. (11)
The treatment for sleep deprivation is simple--get some sleep. Like most things, however, this is easier said than done. Physicians often have a room in the hospital where they can catch a short nap, but there is no place or time for others on the surgical team to do likewise.
Effects of sleep loss also can be counteracted the old fashioned way; that is, by drinking a couple of cups of strong coffee. (12) Unfortunately, other pharmacological agents also have been used to counteract the effects of sleepiness, which may contribute to safety problems in the OR.
CONCLUSION
Sleep deprivation is an old problem that has resurfaced because of the nursing shortage, decreased financial ability to hire adequate staff, and greatly increasing workloads. Staffing assignments should be evaluated to identify situations that contribute to sleep deprivation, and those situations should be corrected. Managers should be aware of the potential for accidents and consider increased risks for error when they schedule work shifts and call. Safety is a major concern for both patients and staff members, and simple, inexpensive solutions can counteract the risk of an accident occurring because of sleep deprivation. With some attention, sleep deprivation should not be a major problem in the OR.
-
RedGlitter
- Posts: 15777
- Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2005 3:51 am
Drink driving at christmas
If I am not mistaken...I have been told that in California, if you have sleep apnea, your doctor must report it to DMV and they will deny you a license. Is this correct?
Drink driving at christmas
RedGlitter;483658 wrote: If I am not mistaken...I have been told that in California, if you have sleep apnea, your doctor must report it to DMV and they will deny you a license. Is this correct?
Oh wow, I don't know...
seems reasonable to me though...next step is to keep people willing to drive drunk off the road...
Oh wow, I don't know...
seems reasonable to me though...next step is to keep people willing to drive drunk off the road...
Drink driving at christmas
Bill Sikes;483577 wrote: Wow! Only this year! The limit's recently been reduced, too, AFAIR - from 100 to
80mg/100ml of blood. I assume there are sufficient rural watering-holes for the
locals? As inthe UK people will have to change their ways somewhat, by the
sound!
Yes, there are pubs every hundred yards along every road! :wah:
No seriously, yes, there are loads of rural pubs in the middle of nowhere, thats where a lot of this trouble comes from, but I don't blame the pubs, its up to people to be responsible for themselves, and for the guards to get out on the road after 11 o'clock and catch some people, and the judges to send them down. Since the random breath testing has been brought in things have already started to change, but there is a long way to go yet. I am sure there are problems in Britain as well (I know there is, I lived there), but in general road traffic enforcement is better over your side, which is why (in general) its safer to drive in Britain than in Ireland.
P.S. As an interesting point, people in Northern Ireland drive like mentallers as well, (they do, I know, I have driven up there) and it seems to be an Island-wide problem, so laws and enforcement aren't the only things that need to change over here, its the culture I think, thats the major problem, we are too fond of the drink, we like showing off how fast our cars go, and we don't like doing "rules" in general.
80mg/100ml of blood. I assume there are sufficient rural watering-holes for the
locals? As inthe UK people will have to change their ways somewhat, by the
sound!
Yes, there are pubs every hundred yards along every road! :wah:
No seriously, yes, there are loads of rural pubs in the middle of nowhere, thats where a lot of this trouble comes from, but I don't blame the pubs, its up to people to be responsible for themselves, and for the guards to get out on the road after 11 o'clock and catch some people, and the judges to send them down. Since the random breath testing has been brought in things have already started to change, but there is a long way to go yet. I am sure there are problems in Britain as well (I know there is, I lived there), but in general road traffic enforcement is better over your side, which is why (in general) its safer to drive in Britain than in Ireland.
P.S. As an interesting point, people in Northern Ireland drive like mentallers as well, (they do, I know, I have driven up there) and it seems to be an Island-wide problem, so laws and enforcement aren't the only things that need to change over here, its the culture I think, thats the major problem, we are too fond of the drink, we like showing off how fast our cars go, and we don't like doing "rules" in general.
"We are never so happy, never so unhappy, as we imagine"
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
My dad 1986.
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
My dad 1986.
Drink driving at christmas
Bill Sikes;483575 wrote: The lawyer has to do his best.... it's his job! "the calibration's out 'cos the DD
is a minor"?? Laughable, hopefully whoever's prosecuting him will stamp on that
sort of stupidity straight away. A minor, at 19? That seems odd from a UK
perspective. Did the DD have insurance, I wonder?
Thankfully, our prosecutor has to do her best, too. And it would be my guess that the minor drunk is taking a chance at an improper machine because it's his 3rd conviction.
is a minor"?? Laughable, hopefully whoever's prosecuting him will stamp on that
sort of stupidity straight away. A minor, at 19? That seems odd from a UK
perspective. Did the DD have insurance, I wonder?
Thankfully, our prosecutor has to do her best, too. And it would be my guess that the minor drunk is taking a chance at an improper machine because it's his 3rd conviction.
[FONT=Arial Black]I hope you cherish this sweet way of life, and I hope you know that it comes with a price.
~Darrel Worley~
[/FONT]
Bullet's trial was a farce. Can I get an AMEN?????
We won't be punished for our sins, but BY them.
~Darrel Worley~
[/FONT]
Bullet's trial was a farce. Can I get an AMEN?????
We won't be punished for our sins, but BY them.
-
Bill Sikes
- Posts: 5515
- Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2004 2:21 am
Drink driving at christmas
BabyRider;483964 wrote: Thankfully, our prosecutor has to do her best, too. And it would be my guess that the minor drunk is taking a chance at an improper machine because it's his 3rd conviction.
I very much hope he's put away for a nice long time.
I very much hope he's put away for a nice long time.
Drink driving at christmas
It always confused me why people have an interest to go fast in a regular street vehicle. From someone who has been involved in auto racing for a very long time, I can honestly tell you, that if every street legal vehicle was built like a standard circle track race car, the fatality/accident rate would drop by about 50%.
Yes, that's right. I know you may be thinking, 50% is pretty high when making an educated guess, but honestly, street vehicles with superb crash test ratings I don't even consider safe at all, let alone a vehicle that happens to be produced without meeting specific consumer interests.
A street vehicle is nothing more than flexible metal riding on top of a frame. I've seen people flip, crash head on, and burst into flames doing speeds you would think were unfathomable on city streets, and drivers walk away without a scratch on them. In years prior, one may get a little dose of whiplash here and there, but even today the Hans device is being steadily incorporated into the sport rather quickly(The Hans device is a head and neck restraint that is designed to reduce sudden jerking of the head and neck).
I've never trusted the safety of a regular street car, and I never will...Personally, I find it rather ignorant to try and exploit every aspect of a machine capable of speeds that will always be more unpredictable than most can imagine. Street cars(Most) are not built to be able to handle perfectly, in relation to speed and degree of turn, yet people think that they can control everything about it, just because going down the highway seems simple to them.
It's by far a mistake to let your ego blind the reality of the situation, causing many to underestimate the possibility of a terrifying crash, one of not only whom those have been involved, but all who hear about forever wishes could vanish from existence, let alone from memory.
Yes, that's right. I know you may be thinking, 50% is pretty high when making an educated guess, but honestly, street vehicles with superb crash test ratings I don't even consider safe at all, let alone a vehicle that happens to be produced without meeting specific consumer interests.
A street vehicle is nothing more than flexible metal riding on top of a frame. I've seen people flip, crash head on, and burst into flames doing speeds you would think were unfathomable on city streets, and drivers walk away without a scratch on them. In years prior, one may get a little dose of whiplash here and there, but even today the Hans device is being steadily incorporated into the sport rather quickly(The Hans device is a head and neck restraint that is designed to reduce sudden jerking of the head and neck).
I've never trusted the safety of a regular street car, and I never will...Personally, I find it rather ignorant to try and exploit every aspect of a machine capable of speeds that will always be more unpredictable than most can imagine. Street cars(Most) are not built to be able to handle perfectly, in relation to speed and degree of turn, yet people think that they can control everything about it, just because going down the highway seems simple to them.
It's by far a mistake to let your ego blind the reality of the situation, causing many to underestimate the possibility of a terrifying crash, one of not only whom those have been involved, but all who hear about forever wishes could vanish from existence, let alone from memory.
Drink driving at christmas
K.Snyder;484056 wrote: It always confused me why people have an interest to go fast in a regular street vehicle.
A question that has puzzled bikers since 2-wheeled rides were created.
A question that has puzzled bikers since 2-wheeled rides were created.
[FONT=Arial Black]I hope you cherish this sweet way of life, and I hope you know that it comes with a price.
~Darrel Worley~
[/FONT]
Bullet's trial was a farce. Can I get an AMEN?????
We won't be punished for our sins, but BY them.
~Darrel Worley~
[/FONT]
Bullet's trial was a farce. Can I get an AMEN?????
We won't be punished for our sins, but BY them.
Drink driving at christmas
lady cop;481503 wrote: sadly , drunk drivers have kept me in business. 
I searved as a special constable with the metropolitan police in England and was kept very gainfully employed with drink drivers all of whom felt I should be out arresting criminals and should leave desent people alone. I expect you had the same responce. I am now retired but you stay safe out there, by the way you look good in uniform you can clap the cuffs on me anytime.
I searved as a special constable with the metropolitan police in England and was kept very gainfully employed with drink drivers all of whom felt I should be out arresting criminals and should leave desent people alone. I expect you had the same responce. I am now retired but you stay safe out there, by the way you look good in uniform you can clap the cuffs on me anytime.
Drink driving at christmas
RedGlitter;483658 wrote: If I am not mistaken...I have been told that in California, if you have sleep apnea, your doctor must report it to DMV and they will deny you a license. Is this correct?
If it's not it should be! My Uncle had SA, many times he fell asleep while talking in mid sentance. And on several occasions while he was driving, my Aunt said she had to crab the steering wheel to steer the car, when he fell asleep while driving! "She" does not have a driver's license, so she can't drive. One time she didn't notice him nod off, & their car ran off the road & sideswiped a road sign. Luckily for them it wasn't head on, & only a sign!
If it's not it should be! My Uncle had SA, many times he fell asleep while talking in mid sentance. And on several occasions while he was driving, my Aunt said she had to crab the steering wheel to steer the car, when he fell asleep while driving! "She" does not have a driver's license, so she can't drive. One time she didn't notice him nod off, & their car ran off the road & sideswiped a road sign. Luckily for them it wasn't head on, & only a sign!
Cars 
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RedGlitter
- Posts: 15777
- Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2005 3:51 am
Drink driving at christmas
cars;486148 wrote: If it's not it should be! My Uncle had SA, many times he fell asleep while talking in mid sentance. And on several occasions while he was driving, my Aunt said she had to crab the steering wheel to steer the car, when he fell asleep while driving! "She" does not have a driver's license, so she can't drive. One time she didn't notice him nod off, & their car ran off the road & sideswiped a road sign. Luckily for them it wasn't head on, & only a sign!
That almost sounds like narcolepsy. I worked with a guy who had that and he would do as you said- fall asleep right when talking. Didn't help he was a telemarketer.
That almost sounds like narcolepsy. I worked with a guy who had that and he would do as you said- fall asleep right when talking. Didn't help he was a telemarketer.
Drink driving at christmas
cars;486148 wrote: If it's not it should be! My Uncle had SA, many times he fell asleep while talking in mid sentance. And on several occasions while he was driving, my Aunt said she had to crab the steering wheel to steer the car, when he fell asleep while driving! "She" does not have a driver's license, so she can't drive. One time she didn't notice him nod off, & their car ran off the road & sideswiped a road sign. Luckily for them it wasn't head on, & only a sign!
Wow, that's absolutely dangerous...
hopefully he doesn't drive anymore.
Wow, that's absolutely dangerous...
hopefully he doesn't drive anymore.
Drink driving at christmas
Rick and I never go out on New Years eve, specifically because of the drunk drivers.