Driving under the influence is one of the most common causes of road accidents. Every state has specific DUI laws that govern the maximum allowable blood-alcohol concentration (BAC). In most cases, the BAC limit is 0.08, which means any driver who exhibits anything above that threshold is deemed intoxicated.
It’s worth noting that these DUI laws aren’t only applicable to motor vehicles, since bicycle and motorcycle riders are also covered. Although they seem somewhat straightforward, they can be quite complicated in the eyes of the law. For that reason, you’ll need to hire a DWI defense lawyer in case you find yourself on the wrong side of the law.
But as they say, prevention is better than cure. So, why should you avoid drunk driving at all costs? Here are some of the dangers of taking the wheel under the influence.
1. Poor Judgment
Alcohol inhibits one’s judgment; that’s one fact that everyone already knows. So, how will that affect your driving skills? Maintaining the proximity between your car and the next, staying on your lane, and slowing down before a bump are all results of your judgment. Your brain controls all these decisions and how you react to every situation.
When you’re drunk, your decision-making is gravely affected. As such, you’re likely to judge certain situations erroneously, which could then put you into trouble. For instance, you might slow down when it’s too late and you end up hitting another vehicle or going over a bump at a high speed.
As a result, you pose a huge risk to yourself and other road users. This is one of the reasons why many accidents are either directly or indirectly caused by drunk drivers.
2. Inhibits Your Vision
If you’re tipsy, you might be able to make a sound judgment but it will be rendered useless if your vision is blurred. This is another issue that most drunk people deal with depending on their body reactions, the brand of alcohol, and how much they’ve consumed.
Apart from alcohol’s effects on weight loss, its consumption in high concentrations can also impact your senses such as vision. The ripple effect is that you’ll be making judgments based on what you see versus what’s actually in front of you. For instance, you might not be able to see several meters ahead, which means you have very little reaction time to either slow down or avoid any obstacle.
3. Slow Reaction Speed
Talking of reaction time, alcohol also affects how fast you shift your limbs and make decisions physically. Regardless of how fast or slow you drive, your reflex actions will always be important. Although you might be on the right side of the traffic rules, not everyone on the road does the same. As such, it’s solely upon you to take care of yourself and those seated in the vehicle.
Alcohol, however, reduces your reaction speed even when the conditions are threatening your safety. Take, for instance, a situation where another vehicle suddenly appears out of nowhere and cuts across the highway or drives straight towards your direction. How fast you apply the brakes or shift your trajectory might determine whether you survive the accident. On the flip side, you can make these sudden shifts and with as much perfection as possible when you’re sober.
4. Lack Of Coordination
Your motor skills are gravely affected when you engage in heavy drinking. Your eye, foot, and hand coordination become difficult to maneuver. As earlier mentioned, your reaction to certain situations may determine your fate in case of an accident or a near-miss. Apart from slowing down your reflex actions, lack of coordination between your limbs, eyes, and other senses makes it difficult to avoid threatening situations.
Some signs of reduced coordination include the inability to stand, trouble walking, or uncontrollable swaying. If you see these symptoms, it would be a wise decision to avoid that driver’s seat. Remember, nothing is more important than your life!
Conclusion
Drunk drivers are among the leading causes of road accidents today. Of course, DUI laws are not new but many people still ignore them. The price one has to pay for drunk driving may even involve other people’s lives. Such accidents come up as a result of the impact of alcohol on one’s motor coordination and overall cognition skills. When you’re drunk, you’ll find it even difficult to react to various situations accordingly.
Of course, when you’re found guilty of driving under the influence, you can find a lawyer who’s experienced in such cases. Regardless of how much compensation you’ll be forced to pay, some damages can’t be reversed. Therefore, it’s a prudent idea to prevent the whole thing from happening in the first place, and one way of doing so is by always driving sober.
