Just because someone doesn’t seem drunk, it doesn’t mean they aren’t impaired. Alcohol affects everyone differently. Here are just a few effects that begin to take hold from the very first drink:
1
Alcohol reduces motor coordination, alertness and reaction time. It can also blur and double vision.
2
Alcohol affects depth perception, making it difficult to determine the distance of other vehicles, pedestrians or objects.
3
Alcohol affects judgment. A person who’s been drinking is far more likely to be careless or reckless behind the wheel.
MADD Canada estimates that, in an average year, impaired driving kills more than 1,200 people and injures 70,900 more. The cost of damages as a result of drinking and driving is estimated to be in the billions.
For tips on what to do if someone you know is about to drink and drive, check out our Be a great host section. If you think you’re already equipped to handle the situation, give it a try now! See how fast you can deflate the elephant in the room.
For more information on the serious safety risks involved with drinking and driving, visit: