Reasons to Not Drink If You Have to Drive

Drinking and driving can have serious consequences. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, almost 11,000 people will die this year from a car crash caused by drunk driving. In their lifetime, one third of Americans will be involved in a crash that involved alcohol. Learn about the ways that alcohol inhibits your ability to be a safe and effective driver.

Alcohol Affects Thought Processes

• Alcohol affects the brain's processes.

  Alcohol affects the cerebral cortex, a region of the brain responsible for processing thoughts, voluntary muscle movement and sensory input. Alcohol suppresses the ability to make good judgments and decreases a person's inhibition, so you may do things that you normally wouldn't. Driving requires a person to exercise judgment and maintain caution, thought processes that alcohol interferes with. Alcohol decreases sensory ability. You constantly processes sensory information while driving, such as a changing traffic light or a pedestrian crossing the street.

Alcohol Affects Emotions

• Alcohol affects the limbic system of the brain, the region that control emotions and memory. You may experience exaggerated emotions after consuming alcohol or feel increased confidence. Driving requires the operator to exercise care and watchfulness, qualities that may be ignored if excessive emotional responses are experienced.

Alcohol Affects Muscle Movement

• Alcohol slows the ability of the body to produce a motor response. This means that you may be slower to turn the steering wheel or to press on the brake than you normally would be. Alcohol affects balance, coordination and muscle movement, so your ability to respond to a situation on the road decreases.

Sleepiness

• Alcohol may cause you to fall asleep at the wheel.

  Alcohol affects the medulla of the brain. The medulla is responsible for automatic functions like breathing, heart rate and sleeping. Increased alcohol consumption can make you feel drowsy and even lead to unconsciousness. Falling asleep, even for a moment while driving, can lead to serious auto accidents.

Effects On Employment

• If you are pulled over while driving and your blood alcohol content is high enough, you may be charged with Driving Under the Influence. A DUI can be a misdemeanor or a felony if a serious traffic accident or injury to another person occurs. Many employers conduct background checks before hiring, and a DUI may be reason enough to withhold an offer of employment.

Effects on Social Life

• If you receive a DUI, it goes on your criminal record. This is public information, and sometimes it is permanent. Neighbors, family, friends and employers may see this information if it is published in the newspaper. If you have children, they may be teased by their peers at school. Your network of social support may decrease depending on how people respond to your criminal charges.

Psychological Effects

• The consequences of drinking and driving can lead to depression.

  If you cause a car accident due to drunk driving, you may suffer from guilt or depression. A death caused by drunk driving can have lasting effects on your personality and mood. You may need to seek psychological help to cope with the guilt of causing an accident or death related to your drunk driving.