Tips On Driving More Safely

This article is not another one on how to learn basic driving skills. You don\’t need to be reading about changing lanes, parallel parking and turn signals. Instead you will be learning about the risks taken when drinking and driving and how drinking even a little before driving can cause major problems. Associations like MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, have been able to make great strides in educating people about driving after drinking. However you should consider how drinking can affect your driving skills.

Just one drink can affect the way you multitask. Multitasking is a hard skill to accomplish even without alcohol and when you are under the influence it can become extremely hard. Some classic TV shows make fun of drunken people messing up as they try to multitask. We lose our ability to function normally when we are drinking and multitasking is a major skill that is affected.

Concentration is essential for driving and this can be hard even if you are sober. You need to keep an eye on a number of things; out of the windshield, side mirrors and rearview mirrors just to name a few. Even in rural roads where there are fewer drivers you still have to be alert, because you never know when an animal might dart out across the road. Your driving will suffer if you are not at your most alert.

The road is a difficult place to drive even when sober, especially really busy roads. This is true because there are so many variables that can change at any given time. Other people are also driving vehicles, and we can\’t always assume that we know what another driver is going to do in advance. The older lady in the car next to you may decide to change lanes at the last minute, or begin to brake half a mile before the stop sign. Other drivers are not always as careful as they should be, either. Drinking only makes reaction times slower. Instead of easily navigating traffic, we tend to react slowly, and can easily wind up in an accident.

This article just illustrates a few points of how even the smallest amount of alcohol can prevent you from driving safely. Driving under the influence is just not the smartest thing to do. Given the dangers of driving after drinking, it is best to try to take preventive action. Something to think about is choosing a designated driver, or even abstain from alcohol altogether. If you really cannot arrange any alternative you can always just sleep in your car. The sacrifice will be well worth it as your safety and that of others is of paramount importance.

This information is provided solely for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

William Bly of Nielsen and Bly is an attorney whose website has more information available about OUI laws in Portland.