For you to drive safely, you need to be completely aware in case a need to make quick decisions while on the road arises. As such, driving under the influence could prove fatal. Driving while under the influence has significantly contributed to a ton of road accidents. Unfortunately, many people continue to get behind the wheel while under the influence. It’s important to understand the consequences of drunk driving. By highlighting how alcohol abuse affects safe driving, Oceanfront Recovery can help you.

What Impacts Do Different Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Levels Have On Driving?

While a DUI refers to driving while having a BAC level of 0.08 percent or more, driving even after consuming small amounts still affects how effective you are. Even if it is unnoticeable, alcohol starts affecting your senses even after one drink. Its effects only become more pronounced as your BAC level rises. The different BAC levels and the corresponding effects they have on your senses include:

A BAC level of 0.02 percent (approximately two drinks) affects your judgment, your multitasking abilities and decreases visual functionality.
A 0.05 percent BAC level (approximately three drinks) affects your coordination and alertness and decreases small-muscle control, which affects the response rate.
At a BAC level of 0.08 percent (approximately four drinks), you lack self-control, and you have decreased muscle coordination and concentration, which affects how you process information.
A BAC level of 0.10 percent (approximately five drinks) further slows down reaction times and affects how well you control your vehicle.
When your BAC level hits 0.15 percent (approximately seven drinks), your auditory and visual information processing is impaired, and your muscle control is nearly zero.

What Are The Consequences Of Drunk Driving?

While the effects of alcohol abuse differ, consuming any amount of alcohol will affect your driving ability. This places you and other motorists at risk of accidents, injuries, and fatalities. There are several consequences of drunk driving. One of them is slow reaction times, which affect how fast you respond to situations on the road. This makes it harder for you to avoid collisions in time.

Drinking alcohol also affects your coordination, decision-making, and concentration. While intoxicated, your judgment is significantly impaired. This could lead to you making wrong decisions when driving. Without proper coordination, you will find it difficult to perform even the simplest tasks, like keeping your vehicle in one lane.

Blurred vision is another effect of alcohol abuse. Sometimes you could even be unable to control eye movement. This affects how clear you can see while driving, especially at night. Your depth perception also suffers, making it hard to judge distances between your vehicle and other motorists.

Who Is At Most Risk?

People battling alcohol addiction are more likely to get behind the wheel intoxicated, placing them at higher risks of injuries and fatalities as a result of accidents. However, you don’t have to be an alcoholic to be a drunk driving victim. Cases of underage drinking are common, with those between 16 and 20 likely to get into an accident when driving intoxicated. Those who are involved in binge drinking are also at risk. Many of them are often college students who attend social events that include alcohol.

Alcohol Abuse Treatment Options at Oceanfront Recovery

Consequences of drunk driving are just a few examples of the dangers someone battling alcohol addiction is exposed to. Fortunately, there are various treatment options readily available. These options are such as:

Has addiction taken over your life? At Oceanfront Recovery, our skilled professionals will help kick start your journey to recovery. Our treatment programs could go a long way in ensuring you don’t end up a victim of the consequences of drunk driving. Find out more by talking to Oceanfront Recovery at 877.279.1777.