Drug Testing to Eliminate Unsafe Drivers on America’s Roads
Some people are calling the United States another “nanny state” (i.e., a state where everyone is being watched). When it comes to drug and alcohol testing, the epithet – designed to test vehicle drivers for every chemical substance in their bodies – is an attempt to insure that these less-than-alert motor vehicle operators don’t cross paths with you, your family, or your loved ones.
Typical tests run the gamut from field sobriety tests like nystagmus (a steady horizontal gaze test); reciting the alphabet in both directions; standing with the head tilted back for about half a minute, and then dropping it forward; walking heel-to-toe along a straight line in both directions; standing on one leg for about a minute; and the nose-tip touch. This latter is no doubt familiar to all individuals who have ever gotten behind the wheel thinking they could successfully drive without being spotted even though they had recently consumed four or more alcoholic drinks.
Additional tests can include a breath test, or Breathalyzer – made by Smith and Wesson and finding its way into common usage. These devices measure the amount and kind of metabolites (ethanol) on a person’s breath. This is usually taken at the police station. In the field, officers may also insist on the PAS test, a preliminary and less accurate breath alcohol test.
Carol was under anesthesia during an eye operation when she woke up, suddenly, hearing the orders, “Cut deeper, pull harder” and felt pressure, but no pain. Due to her anesthesia and a muscle relaxant, she was unable to communicate or move her body. She was unable to signal to the doctors, in the operating room, that she was awake. After having a successful surgery, Carol suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder due to the anesthesia complication and takes medication, in an attempt, to get past her terrifying surgical experience.
Going under the knife, for even the simplest of procedures, can be stressful and scary. Even when you wholeheartedly trust your medical professional, it’s hard to avoid and ignore the “what ifs”. According to the Mayo Health Clinic, Carol experienced “Anesthesia Awareness” and unfortunately, she is not alone.
The last time you got behind the wheel of your car, were you guilty of talking on the cellphone, reading a text or even sending a text? How important was the last text you were eager to read or respond to? Most likely, it wasn’t important nor was it worth the risk of taking your eyes off the road for even a couple of seconds. Even though most drivers know the dangers behind texting and driving, many drivers have the “tragedy can’t happen to me” attitude. Drivers feel like they have become accustomed to driving with numerous distractions, such as music, calming fussy children, answering work related phone calls, and eating breakfast during morning rush hour. “Multi-tasking” drivers are less likely to abandon the distractions, especially if they have had an incident-free record. Even a “close call” is not enough to scare and stop a driver from eliminating distractions. So, how can you convince your son or daughter, spouse, and even yourself to put down the phone and focus on your driving?
Mirena IUD is a type of contraception approved by the FDA in 2000. More than 2 million American women and 15 million women worldwide currently use the popular birth control device, according to the National Law Journal. In July 2008, the FDA approved changes to Mirena’s labeling to reflect the complaints received by the federal agency. As of August 2012, the FDA received over 47,222 adverse event reports with regard to this intrauterine device.
Caffeine is good for you, then it’s bad for you, the answer seems to be ever changing, so what is the actual truth? While there are very few things that are good to consume in excess, coffee, when ingested in reasonable amounts, can potentially be very good for your overall health.
