July 2010 Nurses’ Niche

Just a little info on each of these groups:

Moving violations may carry with them points. Points stay on a driving record for a year from date of occurrence.  After they come off, they go to your driving history for four more years, seven more for a DUI. They only matter to the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) and impact licensure wherever you might apply/reapply for a driver’s license.  If 8-12 points are accumulated TSS is required. The following are examples of, but not all point violations:

 8 Point Violations:

DUI, Aggressive Driving (only 5 minutes per hour are saved by aggressive driving/speeding), Racing, Exhibition of Speed, Reckless Driving (texting, motorcycle between cars, cutting off drivers, tailgating, makeup application, eating, cell phone usage, etc.)

 6 Point Violations:

Leaving the Scene of an Accident (includes Hit and Run), Disregarding a Traffic Control Signal Resulting in Death.

 4 Point Violations:

Disregarding a Traffic Control Signal Resulting in Serious Injury.

 3 Point Violations:

Speeding (only 1 square foot of rubber is in contact with the pavement at any time)(20 MPH over the limit is considered “Criminal Speeding”)(1/3 of all accidents are due to excess speed), Gore Line Violations (No crossing the solid lines and no parking in a gore line-the most dangerous spot on the freeways!)

 2 Point Violations:

Red Light Running, Improper HOV Lane Usage, Stop Sign Violations (a complete stop for a 3 second count), Illegal U Turns or Lane Changes.

 1 Point:

Seat belt non use, expired tags, no mud flaps, license plate cover used to avoid radar, too dark tinting, stopped where not appropriate, no mirrors, cracked window, etc.

0 Points-Heavy Fines:

No Insurance-impounded car and the requirement to immediately acquire very expensive SR 22 insurance, Driving on a Suspended License-double the previous suspension plus impounded car.

An impounded car has an expensive daily fee for every day it’s impounded.

In Arizona 30% of all drivers are uninsured, so be sure to carry uninsured motorist insurance.

16-18 Year Old Drivers:

As new drivers, for 6 months after receiving their first license, they are not allowed to drive with passengers, since having passengers factors into accidents by decreasing attentiveness.

The highest risk factor to this age group is driving after dark, and it is more likely to result in death than drinking, speeding or not using a seat belt, especially when coupled with cell phone use and/or texting. The issue of cell phone use was simply presented. Is there any call or text that is worth your life or the lives of others? Just don’t do it! Safely pull off the road/street/highway to use it. 

In Arizona, if a child under the age of 18 acquires 8-20 points, they are flagged as “high risk”. If there is a second moving violation, their license is suspended until they are 18.

Red Light Running:

    There is a red light running accident every 5 minutes. Some runs are intentional. Speed and aggressive driving are contributors.  Many are unintentional, due to inattentiveness or misjudging the length of the yellow light.

Some helpful suggestions:

1.       Maintain attentiveness at least 20 seconds ahead. Slow when approaching an intersection when the “orange hand” begins flashing or is solid. Be prepared to stop.

2.     Do not look away from the road for longer than a second.

3.     Constantly check your side/rear mirrors and your blind spots.

4.     Know that an intersection is bounded by the curbs, not the white lines.

5.     A R turning car must come to a complete stop (for a 3 second count) If the yellow turns to red before turning is completed, it’s considered running a red light!

6.     Only the first L turning car should enter the intersection. If any other car enters and the light turns red, stranding them into the intersection that is considered running a red light.

7.     The second car may enter the intersection as the first L turning car begins its turn.

Driving Under the Influence:

     Arizona is serious about DUIs. The total costs given by several DUI recipients in this class ranged from $1200 to $10,000, not counting jail time, loss of jobs, spouses, child custody and loss of driving privilege. Despite all this, after the first DUI, 40% will get a second. In 2008, there were 324 deaths in Arizona due to DUIs. DUI includes alcohol, street drugs, prescriptions drugs and over the counter medications such as those used for colds and allergies. In other words it includes any substance that alters perception in any way.

     The blood alcohol levels (BAL) vary from .2 (Extreme DUI) .15 (DUI) .08 (DUI) .02 (Impaired to the Slightest Degree- less than 1 drink at dinner or the use of an antihistamine)

Legalities:

-First time DUI offense (BAL of at least 0.080)
License – 90 day suspension with eligibility for work permit after 30 days
Jail – 10 (can be 1 day in jail with 9 suspended) to 180 days

-Second time DUI offense (BAL of at least 0.080)
License – Revoked for one year
Jail – 90 (can be 30 days in jail with 60 suspended) to 180 days

-First time DUI – extreme offense (BAL of at least 0.150 to 0.199)
License – 90 day suspension with eligibility for work permit after 30 days
Jail – 30 to 180 days
-Second time DUI – extreme offense (BAL of at least 0.150 to 0.199)
License – Revoked for one year Jail – 120 to 180 days                              

Is all of this worth that drink? Please do not drink AT ALL if you drive.  

The following stages will serve to help bridge the BALs with visible signs of intoxication: Stages of Alcohol Intoxication  

0.01 - 0.05 (Subclinical)
Behavior nearly normal by ordinary  
0.03 - 0.12 (Euphoria)
Mild euphoria, sociability, talkativeness, increased self-confidence; decreased inhibitions, diminution of attention, judgment and control, beginning of sensory-motor impairment, loss of efficiency in finer performance tests.
0.09 - 0.25 (Excitement)
Emotional instability, loss of critical judgment, impairment of perception, memory and comprehension, decreased sensory response, increased reaction time, reduced visual acuity, peripheral vision and glare recovery, sensory-motor incoordination, impaired balance, drowsiness.                                                                                               0.18 - 0.30 (Confusion)
Disorientation, mental confusion; dizziness, exaggerated emotional states, disturbances of vision and of perception of color, form, motion and dimensions, increased pain threshold, increased muscular incoordination, staggering gait, slurred speech, apathy, lethargy.
0.25 - 0.40 (Stupor)
General inertia, approaching loss of motor functions, markedly decreased response to stimuli, marked muscular incoordination, inability to stand or walk, vomiting, incontinence, impaired consciousness, sleep or stupor.
0.35 - 0.50 (Coma) (And there are people driving above .35!)
Complete unconsciousness, depressed or abolished reflexes, subnormal body temperature and incontinence. http://www.duiattorneyarizona.com/arizona_dui_evidence/

If my notes were accurate, this information is accurate. I hope it serves to provide some education to help you become better, safer, more proactive drivers for yourselves, those who ride with you and those driving all about you! Be cautious, alert and safe! 
 Chris Brandt

Your Parish Nurses, Chris Brandt, Connie Green, Sue Gruman and Charity Spevacek