Ashley Thompson

Drunk driving is a continuing problem in the U.S., particularly involving younger citizens. Despite being aware of the risks involved when driving while intoxicated, and how it kills and injures thousands of victims every year, people still think they are above the law. Or, that they can somehow drive without problems while under the influence of alcohol.

The Difference Between DUI or DWI

Let’s discuss drunk driving and the risks involved when driving while intoxicated. Many people don’t know what the difference is between DWI and DUI. Are they really different terms that generally mean the same?
Driving Under The Influence, or DUI, is a crime that drivers can be charged with when the police suspect their driving is impaired due to influence of drugs or alcohol. The police determine impaired driving when they pull a driver over and conduct a field sobriety test.
On the other hand, DWI or Driving While Intoxicated refers to a charge police use with a driver whom they suspect of being drunk. They examine this by pulling a driver over, conduct a breathalyzer exam and check Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher.

The Effects of Alcohol Intoxication in Your Body

When alcohol reaches the bloodstream, it is neutralized or metabolized by the body’s enzymes in the liver.
The intensity and risks of alcohol intoxication depends how much was consumed, but the liver’s ability to metabolize alcohol does not happen quickly. Thus, a person with alcohol in his system will feel its effects and the gravity of it depends on how much alcohol content is still circulating in the bloodstream. After consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, the consumer shall become intoxicated, or “drunk.”

The Physical Dangers of Drinking

Intoxicated individuals experience slurred speech, reduced reaction time, and loss of balance. The blood vessels dilate, which makes the person feel warmer. This may lead to a sudden and high risk loss of body heat.
 Alcohol also causes faulty judgement. Most drinkers misjudge and turn a blind eye to the effects of alcohol. They are frequently fooled into thinking that alcohol bears no effects on them.
In fact, alcohol can leave drinkers with an extreme feeling of confidence. They feel elated and convinced that they are fine. This faulty judgment overrides their logical reasoning. The faulty judgement is often to blame when an individual determines to drive while drunk.

How Alcohol Impairs Your Brain and Jeopardizes Your Driving

Driving requires the coordination of eyes, hands, and feet to manipulate the automobile. But remember, these body movements are commanded by a driver’s brain.
Likewise, a driver must always be alert and can formulate quick decisions in hastily changing situations. Unfortunately, alcohol consumption has a profound and risky effect on a driver’s skills. It most notably impairs the brain, creating negative effects on these driving skills:

• Vision: Alcohol alters perception, changes eye motion, blurs vision, and impedes eye muscle function. Colour perception and night vision can be diminished.
• Reaction Time: Alcohol may slow reflexes, which may reduce the capacity to react to changing scenarios.
• Tracking: Alcohol may reduce your spatial awareness, giving you trouble placing the road’s center line, vehicles, or street signs, or the car’s standing on the street.
• Concentration and Drowsiness: Alcohol can lead to decrease in attention while drowsiness occurs.
• Comprehension: The ability to formulate rational decisions can be hindered due to alcohol consumption.
• Coordination: Drinking too much alcohol weakens eye, hand, and foot coordination.

Do Not Allow Alcohol Consumption to Jeopardize Your Life

Getting charged with DUI or DWI will jeopardize your life in so many ways. Always remember that drunk driving is dangerous, puts your life and others at risk. Moreover, consequences of drunk driving compromise your personal relationships, cause financial problems, put employment opportunities in peril, and potential time in jail. You may click here to know more about the legal implications of the subject, even if you’re riding something like a motorcycle.

Ashley Thompson
Ashley Thompson is a promising young law writer. She hopes to apply her years of study to helping explain legal issues to the public. Ashley loves cooking and often cooks for her family during weekends.