Drunk driving is one of the most dangerous behaviors on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11,654 people died in alcohol-related accidents in 2020. This is an alarming rate, and most people choose to drive while drunk due to misleading facts.
This guide highlights four myths about drunk driving:
Alcohol is a stimulant
The early stages of drinking trigger the brain to release dopamine, which can make someone feel confident, relaxed and excited. Thus, alcohol may act as a stimulant initially, but this doesn’t last. The latter stages of alcohol disrupt the brain, making it hard to control speech, memory, judgment and balance.
Therefore, while alcohol mimics stimulating effects, it’s not considered a stimulant -it’s a depressant. When someone drinks, they will have impaired judgment, blurred vision, poor vision and other depressant effects.
Driving slowly helps
Some people who drink before driving believe they will drive slower to keep other road users safe. However, driving below the speed limit can be as dangerous as speeding. A slow driver will affect the flow of traffic, creating safety hazards.
Rolling down the windows helps
Fresh air reducing the level of alcohol is another myth that makes people drive while drunk. The liver mainly metabolizes alcohol, and other body parts also help (the brain, pancreas and stomach). Thus, rolling down the windows or turning on the air conditioner does not lower alcohol levels.
Stay away from hard liquor
Another myth is beer and wine won’t result in impairment. Different factors determine how alcohol affects people. These include:
- Weight
- Gender
- Age
- Amount of food in the stomach.
This means that any alcoholic drink can lead to significant alcohol effects.
If you are injured by a drunk driver, it will help to consider your options to get the compensation that you deserve.
