The condition most directly associated with alcohol-impaired driving is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). People with AUD have a significantly increased risk of driving while impaired by alcohol compared to those without AUD. This disorder involves patterns of maladaptive behaviors during alcohol use, leading to impaired judgment and slower reaction times, which are critical factors in alcohol-impaired driving incidents.
Additionally, alcohol impairment affects brain function in ways that reduce reaction time, muscle coordination, judgment, and reasoning, all essential abilities for safe driving. Even at relatively low blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels, these impairments begin to affect driving ability, with effects worsening as BAC increases.
In summary:
- Alcohol Use Disorder is a key condition associated with higher likelihood of alcohol-impaired driving.
- Slower reaction times and impaired cognitive and motor functions are the main physiological effects linked with alcohol-impaired driving.
- These effects lead to increased crash risk and impaired vehicle control.
