Since January there have been at least 10 deaths related to alcohol consumption and driving an automobile. According to the report by Alicia Ortega for El Caribe newspaper, 65% of all accidents are caused by drivers under the influence.
In an experiment, overseen by Captain Elexio Soto Roa of the AMET, a volunteer driver, Juan Loaces, was asked to take a series of road tests while consuming alcohol. Initially, the driver was examined by Dr. Secundino Palacio from the Luis Eduardo Aybar Hospital, whereupon he was pronounced fit. Loaces drives the required course without any problem. Between 5pm and 7pm, Loaces consumes a total of eight drinks. At drink number three, Loaces is feeling the effects of the alcohol but is able to pass the driving and walking tests. By drink number four, Loaces admits feeling the effects of the alcohol and his blood registers a small rise in alcohol level. By 6:15pm, at the fifth drink, Loaces displays difficulty walking a straight line, but the driving test is performed without knocking over any of the traffic cones. By 6:25pm, and with drink number six under his belt, the examinant has trouble getting into the SUV. While going through the course, the tires squeal and on the second pass the driver knocks down the first and second cones. At 6:45pm, Loaces? blood alcohol level now measures .02 ? signifying he is legally fit to drive in most nations of the world. After asking for another drink at 7pm, Loaces admits he is inebriated and unfit to operate a vehicle, although his language cannot be printed. At this point, the driving test shows two cones down on the first pass and three on the second, and he fails to correctly complete the course. His blood alcohol level is now nearly .07 ? still within the legal limits of Canada and the United States. In the Dominican Republic, however, there are no legal limits on blood alcohol levels. While the law prohibits driving under the influence, there are no limits on maximum blood alcohol levels.