Can coffee really make you sober? What kind of food slows down the effect of alcohol consumption? Which is more intoxicating, wine or hard liquor? You've probably heard all sorts of answers to these questions. Here are the facts about alcohol:

•A 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine and a 1.5-ounce shot of straight 80 proof liquor all contain the same amount of alcohol, so their effect on the body is the same.
• Alcohol is a factor in about one-half of all fatal traffic collisions in the United States.
• Alcohol-related traffic injuries cost U.S. taxpayers about $15 billion per year.
• Studies indicate that two in five Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives.
• In 1994, 1,488 people were killed and 39,437 were injured in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents in California. In Nevada, 116 people died and 2,253 were injured. In Utah, 81 people died and 1,226 were injured.
• Alcohol-related accidents are the leading cause of death among American teenagers.
• Unlike most foods, alcohol can be absorbed into the bloodstream in its natural state. It is carried to the brain immediately, where it impairs judgment, then physical responses.
• A full stomach cannot prevent alcohol from being absorbed – only slow it down. Rich, starchy, high-protein foods slow absorption the most.
• Salty foods make people thirsty, so they tend to drink more.
• Factors that increase the effects of alcohol are fatigue, lack of food, emotions, health, prescription and non-prescription drugs. Therefore, drivers should not rely on alcohol consumption charts or guides to gauge their fitness to drive.
• Only time rids the body of alcohol, at a fairly steady rate of about one drink per hour. Drinking coffee, running or taking a shower won't help to speed up the elimination of alcohol from the bloodstream.
• The ability to do two things at once – such as braking and steering – is impaired at a blood alcohol content (BAC) of only 0.02%.
• In California and Utah, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08 or more.
• In Nevada, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.10 or more.
• Every year in California, there are 208,844 arrests for drunk driving; in Nevada, 10,272; and in Utah 12,700.
• The safest and wisest course is not to drink at all if you plan to drive. The American Medical Association has urged this as a national policy.

It is important for grown ups to teach kids the truth about alcohol and the facts about drinking and driving BEFORE they get a chance to try alcohol.
These facts are from the www.csaa.com