Have you ever wondered, “What does alcohol do to your driving skills and judgment?” It’s a crucial question to consider, as driving under the influence of alcohol is not only illegal but also highly dangerous.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is not only illegal but also highly dangerous. Consuming alcohol impairs your ability to operate a vehicle safely, affecting your driving skills and judgment in various ways. In this blog, we will explore five key ways alcohol can impact your driving abilities and delve into the staggering statistics surrounding drunk driving in the United States.
5 Ways Alcohol Affects Your Driving
- Time to react
Alcohol can significantly slow down your reflexes and decrease your ability to understand and react promptly to changing situations on the road. Studies have shown that drivers under the influence of alcohol may experience a dramatic reduction in their reaction time, often by as much as 15 to 25 percent. This slowed reaction time increases the risk of accidents and collisions, which can lead to severe injuries or even fatalities.
Imagine encountering a sudden obstacle on the road, such as a pedestrian crossing, without warning. If you’ve been drinking, your ability to react quickly and swerve to avoid a potential disaster is compromised. This reduced reaction time can have devastating consequences.
- Ability to Concentrate
Driving requires multitasking, as you need to focus on numerous aspects simultaneously, such as your vehicle’s position, speed, and other traffic on the road. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair your ability to concentrate on these tasks, leaving you concentrating on only one action, which is a dangerous distraction.
When your concentration wavers, you become more susceptible to accidents. A simple lapse in focus can result in a rear-end collision, running a red light, or failing to notice important road signs. This is why driving under the influence is not only illegal but also irresponsible and reckless.
- Comprehension
Alcohol can affect your ability to properly understand or interpret road signs, signals, and situations that require quick responses to ensure safety on the road. Under the influence, you may become easily confused or unable to respond effectively in emergencies.
Picture a scenario where you need to navigate through a complex road network with various signs and signals indicating lane changes, merges, and exits. If your comprehension is impaired, you might misinterpret these critical instructions, resulting in wrong turns, abrupt lane changes, and potential accidents.
- Coordination
Both fine motor skills (like inserting the key into the ignition) and gross motor skills (such as walking to your vehicle) are adversely affected by alcohol consumption. Moreover, loss of eye-hand-foot coordination can significantly impact your reaction time and ability to respond to specific driving situations.
Impaired coordination is especially dangerous when executing precise maneuvers, such as merging onto a highway or navigating heavy traffic. A lack of coordination can lead to erratic lane changes, drifting across lanes, and an increased risk of accidents.
- Vision
Alcohol can impair your ability to control eye movement and see clearly. It can slow down your eye muscle function and reduce peripheral vision. Studies indicate that intoxicated drivers tend to fixate on a single point for extended periods, making them less aware of crucial peripheral areas. Alcohol can also negatively affect your depth perception, distance judgment, color perception, and night vision.
When your vision is impaired, you may find yourself driving with blurred vision or experiencing difficulties in distinguishing objects and distances. This makes nighttime driving particularly perilous, as your ability to spot obstacles, pedestrians, and other vehicles is severely compromised.
More: I Was Hit by a Drunk Driver. What Will My Settlement Be?
How Many People Are Affected By Drunk Drivers Every Year?
The consequences of drunk driving are tragically significant. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driving under the influence is a deadly behavior that continues to persist across the United States. The statistics are sobering:
- About 31% of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers with blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of .08 g/dL or higher.
- In 2021, a staggering 13,384 people lost their lives in preventable crashes involving drunk drivers.
- Over the ten-year period from 2012 to 2021, an average of 10,850 people died every year in drunk-driving crashes.
- In 2021, one person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 39 minutes in the United States.
These statistics underscore the gravity of the problem. Driving under the influence of alcohol not only endangers your own life but also the lives of other road users. Every fatality in a drunk-driving crash is a preventable tragedy, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and responsible behavior behind the wheel.
Hit By a Drunk Driver? Call Pacin Levine, P.A.
Now that we have addressed the question of what alcohol does to your driving skills and judgment, it is crucial to seek legal help. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident caused by a drunk driver, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Pacin Levine, P.A. We understand the complexities of dealing with the aftermath of such incidents and are available 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to ensure that someone is always there to answer your call. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities. Serving the Greater Coral Gables Area, including Miami, Coconut Grove, South Miami, Pinecrest, and beyond, our experienced legal team is dedicated to evaluating your case, providing expert guidance, and fighting for your rights. Contact us at (305) 760-9085 or 1-800-24-7-CRASH (2727). We are here to help you navigate the legal process effectively and seek the best possible outcome for your case.
