Name: Kayla Sweat
From: Orangeburg , SC
Votes: 0
What Is Drinking and
Driving (DUI)?
Getting behind the
wheel of a vehicle – car, truck, motorcycle or any other motorized
vehicle – after consuming alcohol is a serious crime. Drinking and
driving is sometimes called driving under the influence (DUI) or
driving while intoxicated (DWI), and involves operating a vehicle
with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of at least 0.08 percent.
However, even a small amount of alcohol can lead to harmful
situations. Some drivers may not even show warning signs of being
under the influence, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less
dangerous. It’s important to remember that any form of drinking and
driving is illegal and can come with strict punishment.
The largest group at
risk for drinking and driving are those who binge drink or are
struggling with an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This means they
consume a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time, putting
them at risk for harmful side effects. It takes roughly 30 minutes to
two hours for alcohol to be absorbed into your bloodstream. During
this time, your breathing may slow down and your cognitive skills may
be delayed. Because of this, it is always dangerous to drink and
drive.
Alcoholism is a
condition that can be treated with the help of a specialized
treatment center. If you or someone you love is struggling with a
drinking problem, it’s time to seek help and get your life back on
track. Call a treatment expert now to find top-rated rehab facilities
that fit your needs.
Dangers of Drinking
and Driving
Any amount of
alcohol in your bloodstream can impact your driving ability. The
effects of alcohol abuse vary greatly, putting you at risk for
causing an accident or highway injury. Safe driving requires the
ability to concentrate, make good judgements and quickly react to
situations. However, alcohol affects these skills, putting yourself
and others in danger.
Here are several
ways alcohol impairs your driving skills:
Slow reaction time
When alcohol is in
your system, it affects how quickly you’re able to respond to
different situations. Drinking slows your response time, which can
increase the likelihood of an accident. Therefore, if the car in
front of you brakes suddenly or a pedestrian crosses the street, it
will take longer for your brain to process the situation and prevent
an accident.
Lack of coordination
Heavy drinking
affects your motor skills such as eye, hand and foot coordination.
Without crucial coordination skills, you may be unable to avoid an
impending harmful situation. Some telltale signs of reduced
coordination include trouble walking, swaying and inability to stand
straight. Too much alcohol can even make it difficult to get in your
car and find its ignition.
Reduce concentration
Alcohol, no matter
how much or how little, can influence your concentration. With
driving, there are many things that require your undivided
concentration such as staying in your lane, your speed, other cars on
the road and traffic signals. Your attention span is dramatically
reduced with drinking, which significantly increases the chance of an
accident.
Decrease vision
Excessive alcohol
consumption can negatively impact your vision. After drinking, you
may notice that your vision is blurred or that you’re unable to
control your eye movement. Impaired vision can affect how you judge
the distance between your car and other vehicles on the road.
Additionally, fewer objects may be visible within your peripheral
vision, or what you can see to either side of you when looking
straight ahead.
Inhibit judgment
Your brain controls
how you judge certain circumstances. When operating a motorized
vehicle, your judgement skills play an important role in how you make
decisions. For instance, you need to be able to foresee potential
problems and make clear decisions if another vehicle cuts you off.
Your judgement helps you stay alert and aware of surrounding
conditions while driving.
