What Cause Drunk Driving?

What Causes Drunk Driving? 

When driving under the influence of alcohol, several factors can be at play. These factors include age, visual impairment, and impaired judgment. For habitual drunk drivers, avoiding being caught while intoxicated may provide a false sense of security. For others, however, the fear of being caught may be more important than the danger of being caught. 

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Impaired judgment 

DUI law states that a driver cannot legally drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These substances impair a driver’s judgment and cause them to react more slowly to things. They also affect the way a person perceives sights, sounds, and bicycles. Impaired judgment is a cause of drunk driving in California. If a driver has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 grams per deciliter or higher, he or she is considered to be intoxicated and can no longer drive safely. 

Alcohol affects a driver’s judgment and can cause memory lapses and blackouts. This makes it difficult for a driver to make good decisions, and a drunk driver is more likely to get into a car accident. 

Visual impairment 

Alcohol is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents, and it can have a detrimental impact on your vision. While drunk driving deaths have decreased in recent years, about 10,000 people die each year in alcohol-related accidents. While this number is still high, it still accounts for about one-third of motor vehicle fatalities. 

Drivers with impaired vision may experience problems determining distances, identifying hazards, and discerning traffic flow changes. This can also impact their ability to judge distances, turn too wide, or stop at intersections. People with impaired vision may have problems recognizing low-contrast objects and will have a more difficult time making judgments about distance. Another common vision problem is achromatopsia, which causes drivers to have a very difficult time recognizing colors. 

Age 

While alcohol abuse is a significant factor in drunk driving, age does not necessarily contribute to the risk of drunk driving. The younger a person is, the less likely they are to be involved in a drunk driving accident. The youngest drivers in America account for just 2% of all drunk driving fatalities. Meanwhile, drivers over 55 are responsible for nearly a third of all alcohol-impaired fatal crashes. 

In the United States, many states have enacted zero-tolerance laws that make it illegal to drive after drinking alcohol. These laws aim to discourage youth from drinking and driving. This type of behavior is punishable by jail time, high insurance rates, and other negative consequences. 

Cultural norms 

Cultural norms, in which drinking alcohol is treated as entertainment and driving as a means of transportation, are a significant contributor to the high incidence of drunk driving. These norms are shaped by a variety of factors, including the availability of vehicles and norms of behavior. In some cultures, the availability of cars is associated with a greater likelihood of drunk driving, and in others, the availability of expensive vehicles reduces the incidence of drunk driving. 

Room’s typological approach to social control highlights the importance of norms. While norms can serve as mechanisms to encourage and limit behavior, they can also be informal and transitory. The most prominent norms relate to driving after drinking and a person’s peers’ perceptions of their behavior. 

Blood alcohol concentration 

A high BAC level increases your chances of having an accident and can be punishable by law. However, there are ways to limit your BAC and remain safe while driving. For example, you should designate a sober friend to drive you home if you are going out drinking with friends. Another option is to call a cab or use public transportation. Make sure to limit your drinking and stop several hours before you are due to leave the party. 

A BAC level of 0.02% is enough to impair your ability to drive safely. A BAC of 0.05% results in impaired judgment and reduced alertness. If you are driving, this level can even impair your balance and reaction time. If you have a BAC of 0.08% or higher, you will be considered to be intoxicated and should avoid driving unless you can drive safely.