Georgia drivers understand that there are severe penalties to drinking and driving. Intoxicated driving is one of the most common reasons for arrest in the country, and this is especially true for areas with strict DUI laws.
In order to understand why these laws are so strict, you must understand what makes drinking and driving so dangerous. This includes understanding the impact of alcohol on the body.
The effects of alcohol
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration takes a look at the impact alcohol has on the human body. It affects drivers in a number of areas that are crucial to safe driving. This includes:
- Reaction time
- Color distinction
Visual and cognitive impairments
Alcohol impacts your sight, which is one of the most important senses when it comes to driving. It causes your vision to blur, creates double vision and slows the time it takes your eyes to focus on something. You cannot judge the movement of other cars well, including their speed and distance from you. Your ability to see color is also affected by alcohol intake. This is potentially fatal when so many traffic signals, signs and roadway markings depend on color to alert you to dangers ahead.
Because alcohol affects your brain, your judgment also suffers. Alcohol often impacts the area of your brain that allows you to store knowledge and life experiences and access it quickly. In addition, it slows your reaction time by impacting your ability to process information. You may even doze off while behind the wheel if you have had too much to drink. When combined, it is easy to see why drunk driving poses such a risk.