Alcohol can also cause alterations in the vestibular system for short periods of time and will result in vertigo and possibly nystagmus. This is due to the variable viscosity of the blood and the endolymph during the consumption of alcohol. The common term for this type of sensation is the Bed Spins.
They pose a threat that's both tragic -- and expensive. All-told, each traffic fatality costs an average of $6 million dollars -- everything from medical and emergency services to lost earnings. A traffic injury averages $126,000, and almost 33,000 people die every year on the nation's roads.
1 According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, a modern traffic signal can cost $80,000 to $100,000 to install, depending on the complexity of the location and the characteristics of the traffic in the area.