Which statement about alcohol and temporary impairment is true?

• A. Alcohol does not affect driving.
• B. Alcohol speeds up reaction time.
• C. Alcohol does not affect coordination.
• D. Drinking can slow reaction time, impair coordination and judgement, increasing crash risk.

Answer: (D)

Alcohol temporarily slows brain processing and motor control, so noticing hazards, deciding what to do, and moving to respond become slower and less precise. This leads to a slower reaction time, poorer coordination (trouble steering, braking, and staying in the lane), and impaired judgement about speed and distance. Because driving depends on quick, accurate reactions and good coordination, these impairments raise crash risk. Therefore, the statement that drinking can slow reaction time, impair coordination and judgement, increasing crash risk is the true one. The other ideas aren’t accurate because alcohol does affect driving and does slow reactions and coordination, even in small amounts.