What You Should Know About Drunk Driving Accidents

Drivers should be at their full capacity when on the roads. A multitude of preventable accidents occur each year because of drivers who are under the influence of alcohol. According to NHTSA, 10,000 people die each year in drunk driving accidents.

How Alcohol Affects Driving Ability

Slower reaction time: Each individual’s body reacts differently to alcohol. There are people who have a greater response to alcohol in comparison to others. When alcohol is in a person’s system, it affects how quickly the individual is able to respond in various situations. Slow reaction times can lead to fatalities in any driving situation.

Loss of judgment: There is a decrease in visual functions and reduced ability to perform two tasks at the same time. When driving a vehicle, your judgment plays a critical role in how you make decisions. For example, you may need to detect potential problems and make good decisions if another vehicle cuts in front of you.

Poor concentration: Alcohol can influence an individual’s concentration. While driving, you will need full concentration for circumstances such as other vehicles on the road, remaining in your lane, and traffic signals. Since alcohol drastically hinders your attention span, there is a significant chance of getting in an accident.

Decrease in vision: After consuming an excessive amount of alcohol, you may have blurry vision or you may not be able to control your eye movements. When there is poor vision, it affects how to accurately judge the distance between your vehicle and other vehicles that are sharing the road with you. Also, poor vision can hinder what you can see on each side when you’re looking straight ahead.

How to Reduce the Risk of Drunk Driving 

Have a designated driver: A driver should be designated who will not drink before going out. Do not assume that someone will simply volunteer. If you are planning to go out by yourself and do not have a ride home, then it’s best to prearrange your transportation ahead of time. Another option is to get an Uber or hire a ride home.

Be responsible as a host: If you’re hosting a get-together at your home, make sure everyone has a safe ride home and offer non-alcoholic drinks. Keep track of your own drinking so that you can assist your guests with making safe choices.

Arrange alcohol-free activities: You do not always need to drink to have a good time. Plan activities with family and friends that don’t always have drinking involved. You can simply visit favorite spots or explore new places. This is an assured way to make it home safely.

Drinking and Driving 

Drinking and driving laws differ by state but for many states, it’s important to know:

• It’s illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.080 or above.
• A person is considered to be under the influence if unable to operate a vehicle safely.
• An individual can be charged with a DUI if there is a refusal to submit to a chemical test while exhibiting signs of impairment or being under the influence.

Get in Touch with a Car Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a car accident involving someone driving under the influence, contact a car accident lawyer in Fort Collins to schedule a free consultation and go over your legal rights. A lawyer will fight for the compensation that you deserve.