BAC.08

[Drew]

Thanks WW and all board members for your kind thoughts...it's been a rough 12 days for all of the Officers in the Baltimore City Police Dept. and we appreciate any/all support. Please understand that I was not going to bring this up as "soapboxing" after tragic events is not a valid way to debate an issue, especially one as complex as this. All of my thoughts and opinions fall back to years of observation and although not scientific, I feel I'm not too far off. Blood Alcohol Levels differ from person to person according to weight, absorbtion rate (did the individual eat or not)and I believe a psycological factor. Alcohol alters perception and response. I think we've all seen like people who after a drink or two display different behaviors. This is the response that cannot really be measured, and one that is rather mystic. eg. a couple of glasses of wine for me, I'm happy/sleepy. Same for my wife, Happy/energetic. A co-worker named "Charlie"(who really exists), forcefull/aggressive. I could go on and on. Long story short...I don't think the great minds know the magic # for BAL, and as alcohol related accidents are charted and examined, against accidents without alcohol use, new limits are established. Also, here's another thought....fifty years ago speed limits were less, vehicle and population density less, more single lane roads compared to multi lane highways we now have, plus different driving attitudes which all equals continuous changing responses. Like I said in the beginning, a very complex issue. These are just some thoughts on my observations. All my friends know that I'm the permanent designated driver and they take advantage of that. Aint it great to have friends?

Drew