Whether you’re cruising along scenic roads with wind in your hair, going on a beach vacation with family, or just doing the daily grind, safe and responsible driving is of utmost importance. Not to sound like your driving school instructor, but impaired driving is not safe driving behaviour. Ever wondered what happens when you get tipsy, or mix drugs and alcohol before hopping behind the wheel? That’s a surefire recipe for disaster! And it’s not just a little bit of risk either. We’re talking serious consequences, not just for you, but for everyone else on the road with you. It’s like driving a car with a broken gear shift. You can’t control the movements of the car precisely. Similarly, when driving impaired, your control over your senses is affected, leading you to lose control of the car, too.
Driving hammered and high is not just a life hazard; it’s also illegal and immoral. This post explores the dangers and risks of mixing drugs and alcohol while driving and discusses tips to avoid such risks.
Why It's a Dodgy Idea
No surprises there! Alcohol and drugs are already very risky alone. Mixing them together and then driving is like inviting your doom. Here’s why it’s dangerous:
When Alcohol Takes Over
Have you ever noticed how a few drinks leave you disoriented, making everything feel a bit fuzzy? Everyone talks about how alcohol makes you feel lighter, lessens inhibitions, and is popularly called liquid courage. And while that’s all well and good, the fact is that grog does affect your senses! Even a small amount of alcohol can seriously hamper your ability to drive safely. You find it hard to judge distances, your reactions are slower, and your decision-making ability is reduced. Imagine trying to navigate heavy traffic or react quickly to sudden issues on the road when your brain's on holiday. Driving in this state is like putting everyone at risk.
Impact of Drugs: Different High, Same Danger
Drugs also impact your senses, motor skills, etc., even more so than alcohol. Driving requires you to be alert, aware, compliant with traffic rules, and prepared to face any challenges on the road. However, drugs affect your mind as well as your body, making you feel drowsy or zoned out, blurring your vision, and affecting your motor and other skills. Indeed, driving when high is like driving with a blindfold on. Whether it’s off-the-counter drugs or prescription meds like sedatives, pain relievers, antihistamines, and antidepressants, they make it hard to judge distance or have proper hand-eye coordination. Reacting quickly to sudden changes on the road is also difficult when your mind is floating on the clouds. You might not even realize how it impairs your abilities until it’s too late.
The "Double Trouble" Mix: A Potent Cocktail of Risk
While separately, alcohol and drugs are already harmful, when mixed, they’re a potent cocktail of risk! Imagine being in control of a ton of metal while you’re not even in control of yourself. Trying to gauge their combined effects is difficult, as they’re unpredictable and can affect each person differently. You might experience severe drowsiness or extreme disorientation, have a panic attack or be completely zoned out and unfocused. Driving in such a mental and physical state is not just a risk; it’s a catastrophe waiting to happen!
Think You Can Handle It? Busting Myths Regarding Impaired Driving
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I’ll Just Drink Some Coffee to Sober Up: Nah, mate, that won’t work as you think. Coffee might make you feel more awake and alert, but it can’t magically reverse the effects of the plonk or drugs on the brain. Only time can help you sober up properly.
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Just a Bit of Weed is Fine: If you think you’ll drive better when you’re relaxed after a little weed, you’re sorely mistaken! Even a small amount of drugs or booze can impair judgment, coordination and response time.
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Drugs and Alcohol Cancel Each Other Out: Absolute rubbish! Instead, they’re more potent and have a bigger impact on your senses, affecting movements, decision-making abilities, and even rational thought.
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Prescription Drugs are Safe: Many prescription medications, like painkillers, anti-anxiety pills, and sleep aids, contain sedatives to keep you calm and help you sleep. They cause drowsiness, affect motor skills, and impair judgment and decision-making. More so when they’re mixed with hard stuff!
Real-Life Consequences: Not Worth the Risk!
Imagine you’ve had a couple of drinks at your mate’s party and you’ve also smoked a bit of weed. When it’s time to go home, your mate offers to call a cab, but you think you can handle the short drive home by yourself. What do you think is the danger in this scenario? Driving under the influence is always dangerous. But the combined effect of alcohol and drugs can seriously affect your motor skills and other abilities, like quick thinking, alertness, focus, etc. And while it’s a serious life hazard, it can also have equally stiff legal consequences. Here’s a brief look:
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Heavy Fines: Fines for driving under the influence are quite steep, enough to make your wallets weep!.
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Loss of Licence: You may lose your license and along with it your freedom to roam around or go for drives for a good while.
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Impoundment of Your Vehicle: One of the legal repercussions is vehicle impoundment, where your vehicle is taken away, which is just tragic!
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Criminal Record: Yeah, you heard it right! You might end up with a criminal record, seriously jeopardizing your future jobs and travel options.
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Serious Injury or Death: While this is the absolute worst-case scenario, it's still heartbreakingly real. You may have a fatal accident or end up with severe injuries. It will affect not just you, but also your family and friends, whose lives may get disrupted due to your carelessness.
What to Do Instead
So, what if you want to plan a night out with drugs and alcohol or have to take medications and then attend an event for the office? Here are some tips that may help:
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Plan Ahead: If you're going to drink or take drugs that might impair you, arrange for a designated driver, book a taxi/rideshare, or use public transport.
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Stay the Night: If you're at a mate's place, crash there! It’s better to avoid travel before you’re sober.
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Check Your Meds: Always read the labels on your prescription and over-the-counter medicines. If it says "may cause drowsiness" or "do not operate heavy machinery," that includes your car!
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Have the Chat: If a mate is about to drive impaired, have a chat with them, trying to convince them to use alternate methods instead. Who knows, it can save a life!
Final Thoughts
Driving under the combined influence of drugs and alcohol means double the trouble. Just like an incapacitated pilot can cause a plane crash that can take hundreds of lives in an instant, impaired driving can also hurt everyone on the road. It’s better to avoid taking risks in case of alcohol, drugs, and driving. At Onroad Driving School, we understand the importance of safe drivers and safe roads. That’s why we offer various driving courses to improve focus and avoid accidents. Let's make sure our beautiful roads are as safe as can be. Drive safe, Be safe!
FAQs
Q: Why is it a bad idea to mix alcohol and drugs while driving?
A: Because it’s a recipe for disaster! When taken separately, they’re already very risky, but when mixed, their effects multiply and so do the risks. Your senses, judgment, coordination, and reaction time all take a hit, making it super dangerous not just for you, but for everyone on the road. You lose control of your body, your mind, and your car.
Q: Is it riskier to drive under the combined influence of booze and drugs?
A: Yes, absolutely! Mixing drugs and alcohol multiplies their effects. It’s a potent cocktail that can make you severely drowsy, disoriented, anxious, or completely zoned out. When you’re behind the wheel, that unpredictability is dangerous.
Q: What are the legal consequences of driving under the combined influence of drugs and grog?
A: While it is morally wrong and puts every other road user with you at risk, driving impaired can also have legal repercussions. You could face heavy fines, lose your driver’s licence, get your vehicle impounded, and even end up with a criminal record. IT may also lead to severe injury or death.
Q: Does coffee help you sober up quickly when you’ve combined drugs and alcohol?
A: Nope, that’s just a myth! All coffee can do is make you feel more alert, but it cannot undo the impairing effects of alcohol or drugs. Only time helps your body sober up.
Q: What can you do to avoid driving after taking both drugs and alcohol?
A: If you’re drinking or taking anything that could impair you, the best thing to do is to plan ahead! You can arrange a designated driver, call a taxi or rideshare, or use public transport. If you’re at a mate’s place, just stay the night. Also, check your medications before taking them.