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Sunday. The past few of days, I wrote about how much I struggle with the driving rules and how much I dislike driving. I also posted several pictures of my wine rack and my alcohol collection. Right now I feel I need to write a post showing that behind the bottle, there is someone who’s actually very conscious (and that’s me, if you wonder). So today I’ll talk more about drinking and driving. But this time, it’ll be in an educative way.
The Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is the measurement used to determine alcoholic intoxication. It’s usually expressed as a percentage and it represents the mass of alcohol per mass of blood.
I’m not sure if many of you are aware, but depending on the country, that percentage varies. So if you come from the US or England to Germany and drink as much as you are used to, chances are that if the police stops you, you end up in (big) trouble.
Please click on the map to zoom in.
Now, take a look at these two graphics
According to the graphics above, I would think that after drinking 2 bottles of beers (0,02%) and one tequila shot (that could be counted as 1 bottle of beer 0,01%), I’d have a total BAC of 0,03%, so I’d be perfectly fit for driving because in Germany you can drive with a BAC below 0,05%.
But from my personal experience, there is NO WAY I could drive after having two bottles of beer and one shot of tequila.
Three sips of beer make me tipsy (full smile). After the first bottle, I could answer any question asked to me (dark secrets included). After two bottles and one shot of tequila, you’ll see me dancing on the bar (0 inhibitions).
Remember the movie “Coyote Ugly”?
You are guessing correctly, alcohol effects vary between people and depend on several factors. For example:
-Gender
-Age
-Weight
-Fatigue
-Medication
-Whether you’ve eaten recently
-Type of alcohol you drink
Probably you don’t notice but even small amounts of alcohol affect your ability to drive safely, reduce your coordination, slow down your reactions, affect your vision, affect how you judge speed and distance and make you drowsy. It can also make you more likely to take risks, which can create dangerous situations for you and other people.
All this, leads me to the Bob Campaign.
The Bob campaign was originated in Belgium in 1995 in collaboration between several governmental departments, the police and the Belgian beer brewing industry.
I lived in The Netherlands for several years and I was told that Bob was the acronym of “Bewust Onbeschonken Bestuurder” which translates to “Consciously Non-Drunk Driver” or ‘deliberately sober driver’. But now Wikipedia is telling me that Bob is just a name chosen by the Belgian government.
Anyway, who’s Bob? Bob is no other than the Designated Driver!
The idea of this campaign was to choose Bob before going out. So you could see on TV and in several signs and leaflets all over, a slogan saying: “Bob jij of Bob ik?” (“Bob You or Bob me?”).
A few years later, the campaign was updated and the slogan was: “Bob houdt de nul” (“Bob stays at zero”).
Right now, the campaign’s slogan is “100% Bob 0% op” (100% Bob 0% in (the body)).
The idea is that the designated-driver shouldn’t drink anything at all because once started, it becomes increasingly difficult to say “no”.
I don’t think it’s possible to know for certain if you are or aren’t able to drive after drinking.
Even if you blow on a breathalyzer and the machine says you can drive, there is this part that wasn’t taken in consideration, and that is how the alcohol had actually affected you.
So, if you were drinking, don’t drive… That’s always better than discovering too late than driving wasn’t such a good idea.
—
sources:
http://wikipedia.org
http://www.daarkunjemeethuiskomen.nl/bob/
http://alcoholcontrols.com/lebaclibyst.html#.VTuM_FmZG2w
http://gsri.worldwidebrewingalliance.org/php/initiatives/initiative.php?ini_id=439
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2096.aspx?CategoryID=87&SubCategoryID=871
Reblogged this on SURVIVORS BLOG HERE.
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DotedOn said this on April 26, 2015 at 8:17 am |
Great post. I never knew about the BAC being different for driving another countries (I live in America) guess I just never thought about it. The Bob campaign sounds really cool.
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eatpraylovemom said this on April 26, 2015 at 8:51 am |
Thank you!! I just don’t imagine myself drinking 4 beers and being able to drive (or walk!!) 🙂
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DotedOn said this on April 26, 2015 at 10:22 am |
Did you say you left a reply to my comment or telling me about you new post. I can’t find a comment.
I am getting so sick I can’t believe it. I’ve has a rash on upper body but today it is killing me. I’m trying to see if I’s related to Lyme. I also have Epstein Barr Virus and from what I’m reading it may be that virus getting worse. I’ll do some more searches then it will have to wait, I’m tired.
Have a great day.
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Looking for the Light said this on April 26, 2015 at 9:03 am |
Twin, can I help you on the research?
I don’t remember if I told you about my new post 😀
I’m working on the award post for tomorrow 🙂
I hope you feel better soon
hugs!
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DotedOn said this on April 26, 2015 at 10:24 am |
Twin P
Thanks for the offer. Medical research is my expertise, I’ve been sick so long, I’m a pro. I’ll put money on my find.
Go study. 🙂
Twin M
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Looking for the Light said this on April 26, 2015 at 6:00 pm
I’m sure you are Twin! But let me know when you get too tired of reading, I can happily help 🙂
(And I studied A LOT!)
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DotedOn said this on April 26, 2015 at 7:24 pm
We both have hurdles, we will get over them.
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Looking for the Light said this on April 26, 2015 at 8:31 pm
Awesome post 👍🏻👍🏻 I would never drink and drive ☺️ have a great Sunday ❤️
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Maria said this on April 26, 2015 at 11:08 am |
Thank you Maria!! 🙂
You too, have a great Sunday! ❤
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DotedOn said this on April 26, 2015 at 1:01 pm |
I painted for 8 hours, so it wasnt great lol Hope yours was great though ❤
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Maria said this on April 27, 2015 at 6:42 pm
Mine was boring… I studied though, that was good 🙂
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DotedOn said this on April 27, 2015 at 7:13 pm
Really good post. Yesterday my friend got very drunk on a mixture of vodka, champagne and wine. He was vomiting in the toilet and had to go home early which was disappointing for me because if he hadn’t got so drunk he could have stayed and we could have hung out for longer. Also, later on, in the taxi on the way home the police stopped the driver to check HE hadn’t been drinking, and it was the first time I’d seen a breathalyser. So that was interesting.
Before reading this post I really didn’t know alcohol affected one’s judgement so much! Ah, so if I gave you a bottle of beer I could find out who the guy you kissed and is now famous is XD
Lol the last picture You added was really funny!
By the way, did you time this particular blog entry on purpose so it would be the day after Saturday?
Have a great day!!
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JamilaJJ said this on April 26, 2015 at 12:15 pm |
Thank you Jamila! Wow, that was a dangerous mixture!
And yes, with a bottle of beer you’ll know the name of the guy 😀 If you want more info, you’ll have to add a glass of cider 😀
Mostly I don’t plan what I’m going to write but I decided I was going to write about drinking and driving before Monday (because tomorrow I must post the Blog Tour Award story :))
Have a great day too!
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DotedOn said this on April 26, 2015 at 1:12 pm |
.o5 in switz. is the top limit….
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Heather's Starting End said this on April 26, 2015 at 2:24 pm |
Here too! Still, I think it’s a lot of alcohol for people like me 🙂
(Good holiday?) ❤
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DotedOn said this on April 26, 2015 at 7:15 pm |
Yes, I’m sure after not drinking for years, a couple of sips would do me in as far as driving goes! Thanks for the informative post!
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Marissa Bergen said this on April 26, 2015 at 3:45 pm |
🙂 Great Marissa, you can join me on the bar then!! (And we take a taxi home!)
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DotedOn said this on April 26, 2015 at 7:21 pm |
It’s okay, I will be the designated driver!
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Marissa Bergen said this on April 27, 2015 at 12:25 am
Twin
Great job.
Twin
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Looking for the Light said this on April 26, 2015 at 6:08 pm |
Thank you Twin! ❤
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DotedOn said this on April 26, 2015 at 7:25 pm |
Nice post. I have a pretty high tolerance for alcohol but zero tolerance for drinking and driving, so I don’t do it, no matter how much I’ve had. Because why? Why on earth would you chance it?
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Jay said this on April 26, 2015 at 9:21 pm |
Exactly!! 🙂
Thanks for your comment.
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DotedOn said this on April 26, 2015 at 11:02 pm |
Although I rarely drink and I don’t drive, it’s always good to know more behind the bottles. Very informative post dear 😉
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faburlifekhloe said this on April 27, 2015 at 4:49 pm |
Thank you Khloe! 🙂
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DotedOn said this on April 27, 2015 at 7:08 pm |
You’re welcome Paola 🙂
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faburlifekhloe said this on April 28, 2015 at 10:03 am
omg Paola. somethings wrong with my vision. First, when I began reading I thought it read “…I posted about my wine rack and my alcohol Addiction (!) and then when I saw the big yellow Bob, I thought it said Boob! What the hell? Who needs to drink, hahahaha–not me that’s clear! THAT SAID: Good educational information for everyone: Don’t drink and drive!! ❤
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mandy smith said this on April 27, 2015 at 8:13 pm |
I’m laughing SO HARD now!!
Then you’ll be joining me on the bar… I hope you also wear some sexy top 😀
And thank you! ❤
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DotedOn said this on April 27, 2015 at 8:15 pm |
Long as I have a ride home, I’ll be there! It’ll take more than a cute top to make me sexy, lol! Do I have to leave my garden gloves and hat at home?
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mandy smith said this on April 27, 2015 at 8:18 pm
As you wish! They’ll match our mood, so it’s fine… I’ll take the tiara 😀
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DotedOn said this on April 27, 2015 at 8:19 pm
Awesome. And bring the pom-poms. 😀
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mandy smith said this on April 27, 2015 at 8:20 pm
Deal! 😀
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DotedOn said this on April 27, 2015 at 8:23 pm
Reblogged this on Gratuitous Rex and commented:
Here’s are blog from a blog friend in Germany about drinking and driving. So dangerous.
I admit 25-20 years ago I may have been over the limit twice and still drove, thankfully I and the public was safe.
One time I got pulled over by cops and was breathalyzed. I was under the limit bu t they still cuffed me for 15 minutes or so before letting me go. Very sobering, figuratively and literally.
Last week, I went to Wing Night with the guys on Long Island. I ordered a beer. After I finished it, the server automatically brought another. Instead of just sucking it up and sucking it down, I told her I didn’t ask for it and there was a little back and forth but eventually she took it away.
I’m pretty sure 2 Bud Lights are under the legal limit here in the US, but it’s just not worth it. I hear about drunk people going the wrong way on a highway to usually fatal ends. So sad. Be careful, people.
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GratuitousRex said this on April 28, 2015 at 4:03 am |
🙂 Thanks for the reblog Rex, you made my day!
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DotedOn said this on April 28, 2015 at 10:23 am |
Such a great post! I drink but I do not drink and drive…even after one sip. I always picture parents driving around with their newborn baby, trying to get him/her to fall asleep. That image is enough for me to cab it or walk it.
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kimboxin said this on April 29, 2015 at 6:17 am |
Thank you Kim! 🙂
Yes!! some of us know how much is too much to drive… Unfortunately, others only watch the number that the machine shows…
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DotedOn said this on April 29, 2015 at 9:18 am |