Drunk driving has been on the respite despite the education and people witnessing its impact on society. Some have lost their loved ones, with some left with unforgettable scars and injuries.
It’s against the law, and it’s your initiative to stay away from the wheel after a party.
You may not get caught drunk driving on the first attempt, but the law will soon catch up, and you won’t love the consequences. Let’s check the risks of drunk driving. Read on.
But first:
What Population Is Most Affected By Driving Under The Influence of Alcohol?
According to research, teens and young drivers are the most affected by drunk driving, and in 2020, a high percentage of drivers in alcohol-related crashes were between 24 and 34 years old. Young drivers will likely get on a drinking spree and get behind the wheel.
Teens are also highly affected; some in high school want to show their prowess behind the wheel after drinking to their peers. Additionally, increased cases of drunk driving in teens have been associated with the introduction of alcohol in some homes. You can’t teach your teen the dangers of drunk driving, yet you get behind the wheel when intoxicated.
The alcohol influence worsens for people who use it with other drugs such as Marijuana and cocaine. The best part is that our instructors handle the teens carefully to ensure they understand the importance of being sober behind the wheel.
Risks of Drunk Driving
1. Poor Coordination
After drinking alcohol and the BAC levels are above .08, there are chances of muscle impairment and lack of coordination. You will notice drivers under the influence swing from one lane to another without minding other drivers.
When alcohol gets in your bloodstream, it affects your brain, giving you slow movement, and you are likely to confuse the gas and brake pedal. When your body doesn’t communicate with the brain, you will have problems with your reaction time.
If you are addicted to alcohol, it poses more danger since you can experience tingling and numbness on your feet when behind the wheel.
After drinking, you can tell there’s poor coordination when you can’t stand straight, have difficulties walking, can’t put your keys in the ignition, and have trouble getting in the car. If you experience such, it’s best to contact a designated driver for your safety.
2. Poor Judgment
With alcohol intoxicating your body, you will make irrational decisions on the road, which can lead to collisions. You can’t tell when to change lanes or use cruise control for a safe ride.
Imagine getting from the bar at night and driving in the rain; you have a higher chance of getting into an accident on a slippery road. When intoxicated, you are prone to distractions like answering a call or trying to text someone.
With drunk driving, you can get past the traffic lights, earning you a traffic ticket or causing a pedestrian-related accident at the crosswalk. Parking is also challenging since you can decide on the proper distance to maintain between cars or how to turn without hitting them.
3. Low Concentration
When driving under the influence of alcohol, your concentration is altered, which is essential for drivers. You may let go of the steering wheel that helps control or maintain the right speed. The examiner won’t let you take the road test when under the influence, and if you go unnoticed, your inability to stay in your lane or check out for another car will tell you something is wrong.
Most alcohol-related accidents involve speeding, where drivers get beyond the speed limit since the mind and body won’t cooperate, or others will drive too slowly, causing unnecessary traffic lag.
4. Poor Vision
Alcohol impairs your vision since it relaxes eye muscles and reduces pupil reactions. You will experience tunnel vision that’s dangerous for driving. Some people experience slow reaction time when impacted by headlights.
When alcohol consumption is above the proper BAC levels, it affects the visual contrast, and you can’t differentiate between dull and bright things on the road. Others will experience eye dryness and twitching, bringing double vision and itchiness when behind the wheel.
With drunk driving and impaired vision, you will struggle to check the mirrors, which can lead to collisions or hitting pedestrians and cyclists. If you notice blurred vision or cloudy eyes, stay away from driving.
5. Imprisonment and Legal Actions
Drunk driving has consequences; if the law catches up with you, you must deal with them. Imprisonment and license revocation are among the penalties for driving with the influence.
If an officer suspects you are driving under the influence, he will pull you over for sobriety tests to determine if you have the right motor skills, coordination, and judgment to stay on the road. A breathalyzer is used to take the BAC test, and if you fail the test, you may spend a night in jail or pay a fine.
Different penalties depend on alcohol levels. Remember that young drivers are prohibited from driving under the influence of alcohol. Some drivers will take alcohol and other drugs and then hit the road, which has more penalties when you get caught.
In New York, the penalties involve legal fines, attorney, towing fees, and imprisonment, and you will lose your license for some months.
Is Drunk Driving a Social Issue?
Yes. It is an issue of concern in society, especially among teens and youthful drivers, contributing to the rise of alcohol-related deaths and injuries. If someone gets into an accident after drunk driving, they leave the family and society with the burden of caring for them.
It also affects other people who weren’t on the drinking spree. For example, pedestrians walking home and animals can get hit to death by drunk drivers. It also increases the taxpayer’s burden since the accidents cost $132 billion yearly, which could be used for community growth.
Wrap Up
Drunk driving is a significant concern and puts people at risk as they hit the road. A drunk driver will make poor judgments on the road and have a higher chance of colliding with other vehicles. The body muscle relaxation can make you forget the pedals adding to the dangers. If you feel tipsy after the drink, please get a designated driver.
In our driving school, we emphasize the dangers of drunk driving, plus our instructors won’t allow you to take practice lessons under the influence of alcohol. Book a class and learn the best skills behind the wheel.
I’m a certified driving instructor for cars, buses, and tractors with 17+ years of experience. When not teaching aspiring drivers how to drive, I enjoy spending time with my family and playing with my kids.