What Causes Drunk Driving?
Thousands of lives are lost each year in drunk driving crashes. The number of drivers arrested for drunk driving in 2014 was 1.1 million. In 2001, 40174 people were treated in public hospitals for traffic injuries. There are many ways to reduce the number of drunk driving accidents. Some of these include increased taxes on alcohol and better enforcement. Using a designated driver or taxi is a good way to avoid drunk driving.
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The legal blood alcohol content level in the United States is 0.08%. A field sobriety test is a common way to determine the blood alcohol content of a suspected drunk driver. A breathalyzer can also be used to determine the concentration of alcohol in a person’s blood.
Although the legal limit may not have a huge effect on a driver’s performance, alcohol has a large effect on the brain. It decreases fine muscle coordination, impairs the reaction time, and reduces one’s memory.
The best way to avoid a drunk driving accident is to stay away from alcohol. However, there are times when people are compelled to drink, whether for financial reasons or because of a social obligation. The consequences of alcohol-related accidents are usually serious and include permanent injury and illness.
In the United States, drunk driving accounts for one life lost every fifty minutes. A drunk driver may drive too fast for the conditions, may fail to yield right of way, or may even fail to use the appropriate turn signals. These drivers may also be erratic in their driving behavior and be more difficult to avoid.
The effects of drinking and driving are especially noticeable among younger populations. This is because they are more inexperienced drivers and do not have the same coping mechanisms for the effects of alcohol. This leads to a lot of confusion and accidents.
One of the best ways to prevent drunk driving is to educate yourself about the dangers of drunk driving. One of the easiest ways to do this is to learn about the various laws in your area that govern drunk driving. If you’re caught driving under the influence, you can receive a felony charge. You may also lose your license for some time. If you’re caught driving under the same circumstances again, you may face even more severe penalties.
There are also numerous other ways to prevent drunk driving. Keeping a safe distance from the car in front of you, using a designated driver, and making an overnight stay at a friend’s house are all good suggestions. Taking public transportation or a ride share are also options to consider.
The effects of alcohol on the brain are well documented. According to the Spanish Directorate General of Traffic, alcohol has been linked to thirty to fifty percent of fatal accidents. However, the most interesting fact is that even though alcohol is the cause of most accidents, it is only one of the contributing factors.
Drunk driving is a serious problem and is one of the most dangerous types of accidents. There are many ways to prevent drunk driving, but the best way is to educate yourself about the dangers and do your part to keep drunk drivers off the road.