When driving, the human brain has to
deal with a large variety of tasks and data input. In order to safely drive,
one must maintain attentiveness, make quick decisions based on ever-changing
information from the environment, and execute specific – sometimes difficult –
maneuvers based on these decisions. Drinking alcohol will impact your driving
ability.
Young drivers are known to be
inexperienced in driving. It is clear that when alcohol is added to the
equation, the effects will only get worse. Young people have crash rates that
are substantially higher than those of other groups, especially at low and
moderate blood alcohol levels.
Common myths about drinking and
driving:
Coffee will wake me up enough to drive safely.
Only time will rid your body of
alcohol. Caffeine in coffee will make you
jittery but it cannot keep you alert and restore judgment
lost to alcohol consumption.
I stay with beer and never drink the hard stuff so I'll
be fine to drive.
Alcohol is alcohol. A 12 oz beer has as much alcohol as a 1.5 oz whiskey or 5
oz of wine. Many people who believe this drink more beer and become more
intoxicated than if they had only consumed one or two whiskeys.
Bigger people can handle their alcohol better so they
can drink and still drive.
The first drink of alcohol begins to slow your motor skills,
vision and judgment. It is true that body
size does figure in the rate alcohol affects you, but you must also consider
individual metabolism, the amount of rest you had and when you last ate.
All of this makes for some very complex calculations regarding when you are
safe to drive.
As long as I roll down the window and get some fresh
air I'll be fine. I'll turn up the radio really loud. I'll splash cold
water on my face.
One more time –
Alcohol is alcohol is alcohol. Time is the only way to lower your blood alcohol
level. Cold wind or cold water in your face will not return your alertness,
motor skills and judgment.
When I've been drinking, I compensate by driving very
slowly.
Drinking and driving is not safe at
any speed. In fact, even driving too slowly
will make you a traffic hazard and could cause a crash.
Information from AlcoholAlert! – Intervention at the Point
of Consumption website
