Make the right choice Take a cab
"I
only drank beer; I can drive”, "I only had a couple of drinks, I can
still drive" and many falsely believe in the ability of coffee, cold
showers, fresh air and exercise to shake off the effect the alcohol.
Regardless of the percentage of alcohol consumed, the mere presence of
alcohol in the system affects the body functions, even if you don’t feel
it.
Alcohol is a depressant drug that affects most areas of the brain. It
impairs the driver’s behavior and increases the likelihood of a crash.
Below are some effects of alcohol on the driver:
1. Decrease of the vision field
A sober individual has a visual field that extends to approximately 180
degrees. Alcohol narrows it down and blurs vision altogether, making it
easy for the driver to miss a pedestrian or a car coming from the side
of the road.
2. Slower brain functions
On a speed of 50 km/hr, the driver need 2 seconds to react to an obstacle, during which time the car would travel 12 meters.
Under the effect of alcohol, he will need a longer time to first
perceive the obstacle, and then take the proper decisions to deal with
it. Which means he might not be able to act fast enough to safely avoid
the obstacle.
3. Impaired judgment abilities
After consuming alcohol, it becomes difficult to discern at what speed
the driver is traveling on or the distance between his car and the car
ahead of him.
4. False confidence
Alcohol makes us believe we are capable of doing what we normally cannot
do. Therefore, drivers are more likely to take dangerous risks and get
involved in car crashes.
5. Low energy
Alcohol consumption makes the individual drowsy and tired, which is very
dangerous since driving requires 100% of the driver’s attention at all
times.
So when you go out drinking, make the right choice: take a cab!
