Alcohol driving a half-dozen types of cancer in the U S., study finds

In 1975, helmets were mandatory for all riders in 47 states and in Washington, D.C., partly because federal highway funding was tied to having such laws. But Congress removed that requirement in 1976 and repealed financial incentives offered to states by 1995. In response, since 1995, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Texas have relaxed or repealed mandatory helmet laws. New Jersey (SB 761) permitted that an individual diagnosed with an autism spectrum or communication disorder, or their caretakers, can indicate so on their driver license or identification card.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Nevada (AB 17) eliminated the mandate for DUI offenders to wear identifiable clothing during community service due to an impaired driving conviction. Lastly, the bill adds cannabis flower, cannabis products, a lower-potency hemp edible, a hemp-derived consumer product, artificially derived cannabinoids and THC as substances prohibited under its impaired driving provisions. Delaware (HB 2) enacted the Marijuana Control Act to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis. The act provides that to prioritize public health and safety, it is still prohibited to drive under the influence of or be impaired by marijuana. New Hampshire (SB 81) amended its ignition interlock law to clarify that the device will only allow a vehicle to start if the driver provides a breath sample with an alcohol concentration below.020. The bill also removes the restriction on eligibility of a hardship license for these high BAC offenders, which allows individuals to drive for certain purposes like work or medical appointments.

Interactive charts on alcohol consumption

This allows the court to refer the individual to an alcohol safety action program; provide a restricted driver’s license permit; and imposing further terms, conditions and limitations for actions related to a person’s participation in an alcohol safety action program. Nevada (AB 408) expanded the prohibition of trick driving displays, which involve using a vehicle to perform tricks, stunts or other maneuvers, to include those that happen on any premises where the public has access in addition to highways. The bill also authorizes law enforcement officers to impound vehicles when a person is cited for reckless driving by performing trick driving.

Drug Abuse Financial Costs

• Stanford Medicine is an integrated academic health system comprising the Stanford School of Medicine and adult and pediatric health care delivery systems.
• Missouri (SB 398) and West Virginia (HB 2218) toughened their distracted driving laws by prohibiting school bus drivers from using an electronic communication device, such as a cell phone, while operating a bus.
• The report was released in November 2023 and submitted to the relevant legislative transportation committees.

Colorado (SB 200) provided guidelines on state and local government use of “automated vehicle identification systems,” to enforce speeding laws. In addition to speed enforcement, systems may be used to detect violations of bus lane or bicycle lane restrictions. SB 200 expanded the areas eligible to use such systems, which was previously restricted to streets bordering https://ecosoberhouse.com/boston-sober-house-mattapan/ a park, in school and work zones and in residential areas, to also include any streets designated as an automated vehicle identification corridor by a local government. AB 645 limits the number of speed safety systems in a city based on the city’s population size. Flashing beacons designating the time the lower school zone speed limit is in operation are required.

• While motorcycles only represent a fraction (3.4%) of all registered vehicles in the United States and account for an even smaller fraction (0.7%) of the vehicle miles traveled in 2022, motorcyclists accounted for 15% of all traffic fatalities in 2022.
• Long-run data on alcohol consumption from the United States gives us one perspective of drinking since 1850.
• Virginia (SB 1069) amended its pedestrian crossing language to require a motorist to stop, rather than yield, when any pedestrian is crossing a road.
• This interactive chart shows the average share of household expenditure that is spent on alcohol.

In the chart, we see the relationship between average per capita alcohol consumption – in liters of pure alcohol per year – versus gross domestic product (GDP) per capita across countries. The charts show global consumption of wine, first in terms of wine as statistics on alcoholics a share of total alcohol consumption, and then the estimated average consumption per person. The charts show global consumption of beer, first in terms of beer as a share of total alcohol consumption, and then the estimated average consumption per person.

Rethinking Drinking

Arkansas (HB 1623) legislated that fleeing in a motor vehicle is considered a Class D felony if that person also exceeded the posted speed limit. In Arkansas, the act of fleeing is considered a Class A misdemeanor, fleeing while endangering the life of others is a Class C felony and causing any physical harm to another person while fleeing results in a Class B felony. Alabama (HB 107) further enacted prohibitions on street racing, motor vehicle burnouts, donuts, speed exhibitions and sideshows in Jefferson County, Ala.

Drinking among younger people

According to the Michigan Department of State, these drivers are typically 14 to 16 years old. A 2017 NHTSA study on the enforceability of texting laws in Connecticut and Massachusetts concludes that texting laws can be enforced whether or not the state has a hand-held ban. Additionally, a 2014 NHTSA study conducted in California and Delaware points out that high-visibility enforcement over statewide or large multi-jurisdiction areas is feasible and may be effective in modifying behavior. The National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) adopted the Distracted Driving Model Act in 2021 which provides recommendations for structuring a hands-free, primary offense law. NCOIL committee members, consisting of mostly state lawmakers, gathered perspectives from a diverse group of stakeholders before finalizing the model.

SB 615 further designates that any exhibition involving donuts and burnouts held on a public highway or public road attended by two or more persons is considered reckless driving which is a Class A misdemeanor. Connecticut (SB 904) banned street takeovers, street racing, motor vehicle stunts and exhibitions of speed on public highways and in parking lots. Those who commit violations are liable to be fined from $75 to $600 and/or be imprisoned for one year.

• Of the adolescents currently using alcohol, approximately 4.2 million (11.1%) reported binge drinking, while 825,000  (2.2%) reported heavy alcohol use.
• Arkansas (SB 481) removed the requirement that law enforcement be present to operate automated enforcement devices in highway work zones.
• Florida (SB 106) adjusted duties for the Greenways and Trails Council and provided funding for trails.
• The board of education shall provide recommendations to the Department of Safety on specifications for school buses.

Over 3 million annual deaths due to alcohol and drug use, majority among men

New York (SB 5129) required motorists to change lanes and practice caution upon approaching a stationary or stopped motor vehicle on the shoulder of a controlled access highway. Montana (HB 374) detailed penalties for a person convicted of failing to move over or reduce speed when approaching emergency and maintenance vehicles could face fines, community service requirements or, for repeat offenders, imprisonment. Fines range from between $500 to $1,000 for a first conviction, between $1,000 to $2,000 for a second conviction and from $3,000 to $5,000 for a third conviction. The remaining $25 is deposited into the School Bus Safety Grant Program Account, which may award grants of up to $100,000 to promote and increase school bus safety, education and training. The grant may be used to reimburse or pay for education, training and other costs for the issuance of commercial driver permits, license or school bus driving endorsements.