.......................................................................................... PREPARING TO DRIVE: YOU—THE DRIVER 

## Drinking & Driving 

Alcohol reduces all of the important skills necessary to drive safely, such as judgment, reaction, vision, and concentration. Alcohol is absorbed into the lining of the stomach and then passes directly into the bloodstream and reaches your brain within minutes afer consumption. A person’s judgment is the first thing affected afer drinking an alcoholic beverage. 

Even one drink of alcohol can affect your driving. Alcohol slows your reflexes and reaction time, reduces your ability to see clearly, and makes you less alert. You will have trouble judging distance, speed, and movement of other vehicles. You will also have trouble controlling your vehicle. 

If you drink alcohol—even just one drink—your chances of being in a crash are much greater than if you did not drink any alcohol. No one can drink alcohol and drive safely, even if you have been driving for many years. 

Because drinking alcohol and driving is so dangerous, the penalties are very tough. People who drive afer drinking risk heavy fines, higher insurance rates, loss of driver license, and even jail sentences. A DUI (Driving Under the Influence) conviction must remain on your driving record for 75 years. 

## Do Not Drink and Drive! 

• Before drinking, designate a sober driver. 

• If you are the designated driver, do not drink. One drink is one too many. 

• If you are impaired—and did not designate a driver—take a taxi, call a sober family member, or use public transportation to get home safely. 

• Remember, friends don’t let friends drive drunk. If you know someone who is about to drive impaired, take their keys and help them get a safe ride home. 

## Drugged Driving 

Driving while impaired by drugs is illegal and subject to the same penalties as driving while impaired by alcohol. 

Besides alcohol, there are many drugs that can affect a person’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. This is true for many prescription drugs, as well as over-the- counter medications for allergies and colds. If a person is taking medication, they should be sure to check the label for warnings about the medication’s effects prior to driving. If they are not sure it is safe to take the drug and drive, they should ask their doctor or pharmacist about any side effects. 

Alcohol and drugs should not be consumed at the same time. Mixing alcohol and drugs ofen multiplies the effects of the alcohol and any other drugs. For example, one drink, when you are also taking an allergy or cold medication, could have the same effect as several drinks. 

Illegal drugs and controlled substances, such as marijuana, also affect a person’s reflexes, judgment and alertness along with their many other dangerous side effects. These drugs can give a person a false sense of alertness and self- confidence or make a person drowsy and unable to react to simple situations. 

