Page 51 - mv21

Driver’s Manual | 51

CHAPTER 9 / ALCOHOL & OTHER DRUGS You do not have to look or feel intoxicated
for these things to occur. The effects of alcohol
consumption can begin long before you become
You have probably heard the facts before – intoxicated or even legally impaired and begin
driving while impaired or intoxicated is a serious with the first drink.
traffic safety problem in the United States. In New
York State, more than 20 percent of all highway As alcohol physically limits your ability to drive,
deaths involve the use of alcohol or other drugs. it also makes you less aware of what is happening
But the facts and statistics do not tell the whole to your safe driving abilities. It becomes difficult
story. Behind the numbers are thousands of lives for you to judge your condition. You can gain
cut short, permanent or disabling injuries, and confidence about driving, when you should not be
families devastated because someone drove driving at all.
while under the influence of alcohol or
other drugs. During each mile you drive, you make hundreds

When you drink alcohol or take other drugs, of decisions. Your decisions turn into actions that
safe driving is not possible. Not every impaired or keep your vehicle controlled and ensure you
intoxicated driver causes a traffic crash, but each avoid crashes. Alcohol makes it difficult to make
one is dangerous, putting the lives of himself or correct decisions and to take the safest actions.
herself and those sharing the road at risk.
For example: You have just stopped at a STOP
Young people, who have less experience with sign. You see another vehicle approaching the
alcohol or drugs and driving are especially at high intersection. You must quickly make a decision
risk. Drivers under age 21 are approximately 4 whether it is safe to go through the intersection.
percent of the driving population, but 7 percent of Under the influence of alcohol, you are more like-
the impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes. This ly to make a wrong decision and “take a chance.”
is one reason the driver license revocation penal- Your slower reaction time, and the bad decision,
ties are more severe for young drivers who drive could cause a crash.
under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
OTHER DRUGS
Because driving “under the influence” is so
dangerous, the penalties for alcohol or drug-re- Drugs, which include many prescription and
lated violations are tough and enforcement is over-the-counter medications, can affect your
important. The chance of apprehension and con- ability to drive. They can have effects similar to
viction are high and New York State law strictly alcohol or even worse. If you take medication,
limits your ability to plea bargain when charged even a remedy for colds or allergies that is not
with an offense related to alcohol or drugs. prescribed, check the label for warnings about
its effects. If you are unsure, ask your doctor or
WHAT ALCOHOL DOES pharmacist about driving while on the medication.

Alcohol increases reaction time, reduces your Never drink alcohol while you are taking other
ability to see clearly, changes your judgment of drugs. It could be dangerous, often enhancing
speed and distances, often makes you less inhib- the effects of the alcohol and the other drug. For
ited and makes you more prone to take chances. example, taking one drink while you are also
The important skills you need to drive safely are using a cold remedy could affect you as much
made weaker. as several drinks.

Because your vision is normally restricted at
night, it is especially dangerous to drink and drive
after dark. Alcohol also reduces your ability to re-
cover from the glare of headlights. When another
vehicle moves toward you, you can be blinded by
its headlights for a long period of time.