The risks of drunk driving are well known, but that still doesn’t stop some people from getting behind the wheel after having a few drinks. They might think that they have it all together, but then cause an accident. Here are a few reasons why drunk driving is so dangerous.
Poor Vision
As everyone knows, being able to see clearly is essential for driving safely. However, drinking alcohol can lead to blurry vision and loss of control of your eye movement. If your vision is poor, you may have trouble seeing other vehicles and potential hazards on the road, increasing the risk of an accident.
Bad Judgment
Another side effect of drinking too many alcoholic beverages is impaired judgment. The more you drink, the worse your decision making skills become. You typically wouldn’t make these decisions if you were sober. This is another reason why drunk driving is so dangerous. If you’re behind the wheel while intoxicated, you might not be able to judge if you’re a safe difference behind the vehicle in front of you. You may also have trouble judging bad weather and poor road conditions.
Slowed Reaction Time
When you’re behind the wheel, it’s important to be able to react quickly to situations, such as a motorist cutting you off or an animal in the road. If you’ve had several drinks, you may not be able to do this. Alcohol can cause your brain to take longer to process situations. If you can’t react quickly enough to certain situations on the road, you can have an accident.
Lack of Coordination
Alcohol can also impact your hand, eye and foot coordination. When you have poor coordination, you can’t operate a vehicle safely and may put everyone on the road in danger. If you have trouble standing up straight or walking, your coordination may be impaired and you should not get behind the wheel.
Increased Risks of Serious Injuries and Death
If you get behind the wheel while drunk, you are more likely to get into an accident. The collision could result in life-threatening injuries in yourself and other motorists, like internal bleeding, traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.
If you have been charged with drunk driving, it’s important to discuss your case with a qualified drunk driving lawyer, like one from Rispoli & Borneo P.C.