How does alcohol affect driving and vehicle safety?

• A. It speeds up reaction times and improves coordination.
• B. It has no effect on driving.
• C. It slows reaction times, reduces coordination and judgement, and increases crash risk.
• D. It only affects driving if consumed in large amounts.

Answer: (C)

Alcohol interferes with the brain’s ability to process information quickly and control the body, which is crucial for driving. It slows reaction times, so you respond more slowly to hazards like a car braking suddenly or a pedestrian stepping into the road. It also reduces coordination, making it harder to steer smoothly, brake effectively, and stay in your lane. In addition, judgement is impaired, so you may misjudge distances, speeds, or your own abilities and make risky choices. All of these changes raise the chance of a crash. Impairment starts with small amounts and gets worse with more alcohol, and can be made worse by fatigue or other drugs. The safe choice is not to drive after drinking and to plan a sober ride home.