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05 The dangers of drinking
and driving
Any amount of alcohol in your bloodstream can affect your
driving ability. The effects of alcohol vary greatly, putting you,
your passengers and other drivers at risk. Safe driving requires
concentration, making good judgements, and reacting quickly to
situations, and alcohol hinders all of these skills.
Slow reaction time
Alcohol slows your reaction times, affecting your response to different
situations.
Lack of coordination
Heavy drinking affects your motor skills like eye, hand and foot
coordination – all essential for safe driving. Some tell-tale signs of
reduced coordination include trouble walking, swaying, and an inability
to stand straight.
Reduced concentration
Alcohol, no matter the amount, can influence your concentration.
Many things require your undivided concentration when driving, like
staying in your lane, your speed, other cars on the road and traffic
signals.
Decreased vision
Excessive alcohol consumption can negatively affect your vision, often
causing blurred vision or an inability to control your eye movement.
Impaired vision affects how you judge the distance between your car
and other vehicles on the road.
Inhibited judgement
Your brain controls how you judge certain circumstances. When
operating a motorised vehicle, your judgement skills play an important
role in how you make decisions. For instance, you need to foresee
potential problems and make clear decisions if another vehicle cuts
you off.
