Driving Under the Influence

Abstract

In most countries it is a criminal offence to drive a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants. There are good reasons for this. According to The Handbook of Road Safety Measures (Høye et al. 2012: chapter 8.6),¹ the effects of alcohol on drivers is one of the factors that most increases the risk of road accidents. Alcohol and other intoxicants impair your senses, reduce your ability to process information and make decisions, impair your ability to react and can weaken inhibitions against driving under the influence, exceeding the speed limit or other risky behaviours. Your chances of having an accident increase dramatically the higher your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) (Figure 5.1).