Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Driving

Alcohol and other impairing drugs are involved in approximately 40% of all traffic crashes in which someone is killed every year.

If you drink alcohol or use other impairing drugs and drive, even a little, your chances of being in a crash are much greater than if you did not drink any alcohol or use any other drugs.

No one can drink alcohol and drive safely, even if you have been driving for many years.

New drivers are more affected by alcohol than experienced drivers because they are still learning to drive.

Small amounts of alcohol are likely to increase the number of errors dramatically.

Because drinking alcohol and driving is so dangerous, the penalties are tough.

People who drive after drinking risk heavy fines, higher insurance rates, loss of license, and even jail sentences.

Effects of Alcohol and Other Impairing

Drugs Alcohol and other impairing drugs reduce:

• Judgment: Judgment is a brain-centered activity that stores all experiences and knowledge so it can be used quickly when facing a new problem.

• Vision: They blur vision, slows the ability to focus, cause double vision, and reduce the ability to judge distance, speed, and the movement of other vehicles. Vision is impacted at 0.02% blood alcohol content (BAC) for all drivers. The most important sense used while driving is vision.

• Color distinction: This reduces the ability to distinguish colors.

• Reaction time: This slows the ability to process information and respond to the driving task.

The best advice is not to drive a vehicle of any kind if you have consumed alcohol or other drugs. Impairment starts with the first drink. Even one drink of alcohol can affect a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle. With one or more drinks in the bloodstream, a person is visibly impaired and could be arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Never let a friend or relative drive if they have been drinking.