How much can alcohol slow a person’s reflexes?

On Behalf of | Oct 5, 2022 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

If you enjoy drinking alcohol, you probably like feeling a bit tipsy. After all, with some alcohol in your system, you are likely to feel more affable, outgoing or even downright gregarious. Still, as everyone should know by now, drinking and driving simply do not mix.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 32 Americans die every single day in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents. Countless others, of course, suffer catastrophic and life-altering injuries. Sadly, slowed reflexes contribute to the alarming number of alcohol-associated fatalities and injuries.

What are slowed reflexes?

Even though automobile manufacturers may be moving toward self-driving cars, most vehicles on the road today need competent and responsive drivers. Indeed, every time you drive, you must turn the steering wheel, apply pressure to the brake and accelerator pedals and watch for accident risks.

Sometimes, you must either stop quickly or turn to avoid a collision. Each of these actions requires fast reflexes. Alcohol, though, tends to slow a person’s response time. If a driver has had too much to drink, he or she may be unable to react promptly, likely increasing his or her chances of having an accident.

Why does alcohol slow reflexes?

Alcohol is a depressant that impairs cognitive reaction time. Put simply, when individuals drink, their brains take longer both to perceive situations and to respond to them. When a person is behind the wheel of a car, truck or SUV and moving at highway speeds, there often is not enough time to compensate for these delays.

You should not have to bear the brunt of someone else’s irresponsible or dangerous behavior. Ultimately, if you suffer a serious injury in a collision with an impaired driver, you may have grounds to pursue significant financial compensation for your damages.