A significant majority of Americans drive. Many of them do it every day to get to work. While driving is an efficient mode of travel, it can also be dangerous. Driving requires split-second decisions to be made all the time and road users need to have their wits about them.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 30 people are killed in drunk driving crashes each day. Why are impaired drivers so dangerous?
Drinking affects vision
Vision is everything when it comes to safe driving. You need to be able to spot other road users, pedestrians, cyclists and all other potential hazards. Drinking heavily is known to result in blurred vision. The more a driver has had to drink, the more impaired their vision will be.
Intoxication slows reaction times
Reflexes are also important in safe driving. The faster a person can react to a hazard, the less chance of a serious accident occurring. Being able to slow down on time or steer out of the way can prevent serious injuries.
Drunk drivers don’t possess the necessary reaction times to brake or get out of the way before a serious collision occurs.
Drinking increases risky behavior
Lots of people have had one too many drinks and done something embarrassing. There is usually no harm in this, really – and it’s well-known that alcohol lowers inhibitions.
However, risk-taking behavior while operating a vehicle can be dangerous. Alcohol is known to impact a person’s judgment. Whether it’s having a laugh with friends or showing off the speed of the car, impaired judgment resulting from alcohol can lead to serious collisions.
If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, you deserve justice. Call Quinn Law Firm at 814-833-2222 to discuss your options in further detail.
