What is it about?
Alcohol is the most frequently detected substance in drivers involved in road traffic collisions. Given that up to 35% of fatal road collisions are alcohol-related, it is important to determine the influence of alcohol intoxication on driving skills. This review provides an updated evaluation of the available research concerning the effect of alcohol intoxication on cognitive functions critical for driving. This includes divided attention, executive functioning, perception, psychomotor skills, reaction time and/or vigilance.
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Why is it important?
We found that each of the cognitive domains assessed in this review showed impairment at blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) equal to or below the legal driving limit in many jurisdictions (i.e., 0.05% and 0.08%), supporting the recommended limit of 0.05%.
Perspectives
I hope this article will help form a larger evidence-base for policy makers to continue to implement safe BAC limits for drivers. I also hope it will help drivers appreciate that the BAC limits set in many countries do not necessarily align with levels compatible with safe driving, as the capacity to safely operate a motor vehicle begins to deteriorate at any level of alcohol consumption.
Harriet Garrisson
Swinburne University of Technology
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The effects of alcohol intoxication on cognitive functions critical for driving: A systematic review, Accident Analysis & Prevention, May 2021, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2021.106052.
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