Drunk driving: a major cause of road accidents
Drunk driving remains one of the major causes of road accidents in France. To combat this scourge, the French government has launched a series of awareness-raising programs aimed at the general public, such as the “Journées de la sécurité routière au travail” (road safety days in the workplace) and interventions in schools. But how much do you really know about the effects of alcohol on driving, and how to behave in the safest possible way?
How does alcohol affect your driving?
It’s no secret that the consumption of alcoholic beverages greatly impairs driving performance. Above the legal blood alcohol limit, peripheral vision is reduced, reflexes become slower and coordination of movements is diminished. Alcohol also influences behavior, making drivers more confident and thus more likely to make dangerous decisions.
Drunk driving has similar consequences to those caused by various distractions at the wheel, such as the telephone, music… In fact, just as the driver’s eyes are drawn away from the road by visual distractions such as a billboard, an eye-catching external situation, etc., the alcoholic driver finds it extremely difficult to focus on the road. Driving under the influence of alcohol is just as dangerous as losing your train of thought.
And this type of behavior can be all the more dangerous in urban environments, where motorists are likely to come across the most vulnerable and exposed road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians.
Behaviors that can make a difference
Raising awareness goes hand in hand with prevention. Through its awareness campaigns, the government uses hard-hitting slogans, such as the famous “Drink or drive, you’ve got to choose”, as well as victims’ testimonials to make drivers aware of the danger. In addition, reinforced roadside checks and the use of devices such as alcohol ignition interlock devices support these actions against behaviours that are still all too often the cause of fatal accidents.
And yet, it would be enough to organize ourselves to prevent the danger, by designating the famous SAM (Without Fatal Accident), that loved one who doesn’t drink during the event, or by favoring the use of public transport or cabs.
Finally, whether it’s alcohol or distracted driving, vigilance and prevention are the keys to reducing the number of road accidents. Awareness-raising campaigns and measures go hand in hand with awareness-raising to improve safety for all on the road.
