SIR Alcohol and the Body 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In British Columbia, what is the legal BAC limit for a fully licensed driver before they are considered impaired for driving purposes?
- 0.04%
- 0.05%
- 0.08% (Correct answer)
- 0.10%
Correct answer: 0.08%
In BC, the Criminal Code limit for impaired driving is 0.08% BAC, though police can issue roadside sanctions starting at 0.05%.
Question 2: At what BAC range does BC's 'warn range' begin, where police can impose immediate roadside sanctions?
- 0.01–0.03%
- 0.03–0.05%
- 0.05–0.08% (Correct answer)
- 0.08–0.10%
Correct answer: 0.05–0.08%
BC's warn range is 0.05–0.08% BAC, where drivers face immediate roadside prohibitions even though they are below the Criminal Code limit.
Question 3: How does alcohol affect a person's reaction time?
- It improves reaction time by stimulating the nervous system
- It has no effect on reaction time until BAC exceeds 0.08%
- It slows reaction time even at low BAC levels (Correct answer)
- It only affects reaction time in people who are physically tired
Correct answer: It slows reaction time even at low BAC levels
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that begins slowing reaction time at even low BAC levels, well before visible signs of intoxication appear.
Question 4: Why do women typically reach a higher BAC than men after consuming the same amount of alcohol?
- Women have a faster heart rate that spreads alcohol more quickly
- Women generally have less body water and lower levels of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes (Correct answer)
- Women absorb alcohol only through the stomach, not the small intestine
- Women have larger livers that produce more alcohol by-products
Correct answer: Women generally have less body water and lower levels of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes
Women typically have a higher proportion of body fat, less body water to dilute alcohol, and lower levels of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, resulting in higher BAC.
Question 5: Which part of the brain is first affected by alcohol, contributing to lowered inhibitions?
- The brain stem, which controls breathing
- The cerebellum, which controls balance
- The frontal lobe, which governs judgment and decision-making (Correct answer)
- The occipital lobe, which processes vision
Correct answer: The frontal lobe, which governs judgment and decision-making
Alcohol first impairs the frontal lobe, reducing a person's ability to judge risk and control impulses, which is why people feel more confident and less inhibited early in drinking.
Question 6: What is the effect of mixing alcohol with energy drinks on a person's perception of intoxication?
- Energy drinks speed up alcohol metabolism, reducing intoxication
- Caffeine in energy drinks can mask feelings of tiredness, making a person feel less intoxicated than they are (Correct answer)
- Energy drinks lower BAC by diluting alcohol in the bloodstream
- Mixing the two has no documented effect on perceived intoxication
Correct answer: Caffeine in energy drinks can mask feelings of tiredness, making a person feel less intoxicated than they are
Caffeine can counteract the sedating effects of alcohol, causing a person to feel more alert, but their BAC and actual impairment remain unchanged — a dangerous combination.
Question 7: Which of the following will NOT speed up the sobering process?
- Drinking strong coffee
- Taking a cold shower
- Eating a large meal after drinking
- All of the above — none of these speed up sobering (Correct answer)
Correct answer: All of the above — none of these speed up sobering
Only time allows the liver to metabolize alcohol; coffee, cold showers, and food after drinking do not lower BAC or speed up the sobering process.
SIR Alcohol and the Body 2
In British Columbia, what is the legal BAC limit for a fully licensed driver before they are considered impaired for driving purposes?