You know that it’s illegal to drive while under the influence, but it’s important to look at a few specific ways that alcohol can impair your ability to drive. This can also help shed some light on why people are sometimes pulled over when they’re not drunk. Five examples include:
1. Reduced reaction times.2. Impaired vision.3. Feeling tired.4. Difficulty multitasking.5. Reduced concentration.
Sometimes, all of these things work together. You may feel tired while driving, meaning you’re nearly nodding off and so it’s very hard to concentrate. You can’t see as well, so your reaction times drop. Since you’re having trouble multitasking, those reaction times fall even more if you have to think about anything other than the road. All of these things can work together to lead to a crash.
However, most of these symptoms and indicators of drunk driving are issues that could crop up even when you’re stone sober. Maybe you have ADHD, so concentration and multitasking are always hard. Maybe you’re tired from a long day at work, so your reaction times aren’t what they should be. In some cases, sober people are pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving simply because they’re driving poorly and showing all of the traditional signs of intoxication.
It’s very important to remember that police need to prove that you’re drunk, not just suspect it. If you’ve been arrested and you weren’t under the influence, you must know all of your legal defense options. You deserve a fair trial since a DUI conviction can have such a huge impact on your life.
Source: Drug Info, “How Does Alcohol Affect Driving?,” accessed Jan. 19, 2017