www.alkoholpolitik.ch

The technology developed in the past decade to sniff out terrorist bombs eventually could be used to combat another scourge: drunk drivers.
Researchers funded by auto manufacturers and federal safety regulators are working on sensory devices – to be installed as standard equipment on all new vehicles – that would keep a vehicle from starting if the driver has had too much to drink.
„We’re five to seven years away from being able to integrate this into cars,“ said Robert Strassburger, vice president for safety for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, a trade group for the world’s major auto companies.
The new technology would not require that the driver blow into a tube, like the interlock devices some states require after drunken-driving convictions. Instead, either a passive set of sensors permanently installed in the vehicles or touch-sensitive contact points on a key fob or starter button would immediately register the level of alcohol in the bloodstream. (Source: Harvard World Health News, 01/14/11) washingtonpost.com, 01/08/11

The AMA released a brochure containing practical advice to help Australians to be more knowledgeable and responsible about alcohol consumption. (Source: Medical News Today, 01/03/11) ama.com.au, 12/28/10

Want to enjoy a mimosa with Sunday morning brunch at a chic restaurant on Las Olas Boulevard?
Sorry. You have to stick with the orange juice only. That champagne bottle can’t be uncorked.
Unlike many other cities in South Florida from Miami Beach to Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdale prohibits alcohol from being sold before noon on Sundays. Restaurateurs and bar owners are mounting an effort to change that longstanding ordinance. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 01/01/11) weblogs.sun-sentinel.com, 01/01/11 with our Online-Comments: When this law was decided, the lawmakers had the intention to prevent alcohol problems. The best measure is to rise prices, the second best to limit availability of the product. At the end the restriction on Sunday was left. From a christian point of view there are several reasons to prevent alcohol problems. Today alcohol marketing has troubled our clear view on what is necessary for our society, so every group which has a profit from alcohol sales opposes any restriction. But the people in general would have more social costs to pay and less quality of life. (an other one pending)

This report contains alcohol-related information collected in all twenty-three counties in Wyoming during a twelve-month time period (July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010) by the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police. Information was collected from a total of 18,863 persons who were arrested and subsequently detained in a county detention facility. The alcohol-related arrest data contained in this report provides a detailed, statistical picture of the impact of alcohol abuse on crime in Wyoming. (Source: Alcohol Reports, 12/26/10) wascop.com (pdf)

The Century Council – that venerable industry front group that purportedly aims to curb drunk driving and underage drinking – has stumped us this time with its holiday-themed responsibility ploy. It’s called the “Snowman Stumble,” an online game apparently intended to teach people about alcohol impairment. In this time-waster, the Century Council wants you to control a snowman walking home from a holiday party, and see how far you can get before the snowman falls over. Source: Marin Institute, 12/21/10)

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) wants states to make drivers caught with high blood alcohol concentrations or repeat drunk driving offenses a high priority, USA Today reported Dec. 8.  NTSB said that 70 percent of the drunk-driving accidents last year were caused by so-called „hard-core“ drunk drivers. According to a new Michigan law, „hard-core“ drunk drivers are individuals who have a second DUI offense within 10 years of their first, or who are found to have at least 0.15 percent alcohol content in their blood. (Source: Join Together, 12/13/10)

President Obama declared December National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) blog, Of Substance, reported Dec. 2.
According to Obama’s proclamation, thousands of Americans lose their lives to „drunk, drugged or distracted driving“ every year. Obama described drugged driving as a „growing problem“ and specifically pointed to the danger of driving under the influence of prescription drugs as well as illicit drugs. He referred to distracted driving — texting or using electronics while driving — as „life-threatening,“ and recommended the Distraction.gov website as a prevention tool.
Obama said the federal government had taken several steps to prevent impaired driving. The government has banned its employees from texting while driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working with law enforcement nationally to increase identification of drunk drivers during the holidays, and the ONDCP will be educating the public about the increased incidence of drugged driving. (Source: Join Together, 12/09/10)

PARENTS who have lost children to drink-drivers last night attacked the Government for failing to introduce an immediate “zero” alcohol limit for motorists.
MPs sitting on the House of Commons Transport Committee this week said the legal drink-drive level should eventually be slashed from 80milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 20mg, virtually zero.
It means drinkers, depending on their build, would have to stop at a sip or less before getting behind the wheel.
But the politicians said such a cut would have to be a long-term ambition as it would prove “too great a step at this stage”.
Alyn Hopkins, 52, who lost his 18-year-old son Domenic to a driver three times over the limit said they “obviously have not lost anyone”. Source: Alcohol Reports, 12/06/10) walesonline.co.uk, 12/05/10

As more states move to ban caffeinated alcoholic beverages (CABs), a new research review highlights the mounting evidence on the health risks associated with combining alcohol and energy drinks, ScienceDaily reported Nov. 30.
In an effort to determine the extent of CAB use and its health consequences — and outline future research needs — a team of researchers led by Jonathan Howland, PhD, chair of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department at the Boston University School of Public Health, examined statistical evidence from 44 sources.
In one study, compared with patrons who drank regular alcoholic drinks, people who drank CABs were three times more likely to leave a nightclub „highly intoxicated“ and four times more likely to leave with the intention of driving. (Source: Join Together, 12/03/10)

New laws introduced in Queensland today will force high-risk drink drivers to pay for alcohol ignition interlock systems to be installed in their vehicles.
The interlock devices will be fitted to the vehicles of drivers who: refuse a breath test or blood test, record a blood-alcohol content of more than 0.15, are charged with dangerous driving while affected by alcohol, and are caught drink driving twice within five years.
The interlock system will apply to drivers charged with drink driving offences after August 6 2010 and will remain connected to offenders’ vehicles for 12 months. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 12/06/10) caradvice.com.au, 12/06/10