Driving under the influence
Changing perceptions under the influence of alcohol
The glare sensitivity of the eye is raised, because the pupils of the eyes with sudden incidence of light (“oncoming” spotlight) close too slowly. Most alcohol journeys take place at night. This increases the risk of accidents significantly.
Distance estimation is unreliable because the eye lens switches under the influence of alcohol; is no longer fast enough from near too far and vice versa. The drunken motorist travels frequently on too tightly.
The speed estimate is also unreliable as the speed from the brain of the perceived change in distance and the elapsed time is calculated as a result of poor distance estimate.
The attention is concentrated, the so-called tunnel vision occurs. Information from the edges of the visual field (pedestrians, laterally oncoming vehicles) is perceived much worse.
Information processing
Under the influence of alcohol which lasts Information Processing (nerve / brain) is longer, for example, to a perceived issue identified as a threat.
Limited capacity
The reaction rate is already slowing down in small amounts, the effect increases with higher amounts. In perception of danger, the reaction is delayed.
The safe execution of the necessary reaction is – when they finally done – much worse. Drunken brakes as significantly harder, directing jerky and the countermeasures fail.
Affect the thinking
Alcohol relaxed and uninhibited, When driving increase the confidence and the willingness to take risks Increased confidence at reduced performance resulting in more driving errors
Risk of accidents under the influence of alcohol
Alcohol is the biggest risk factor in road traffic, both the frequency as the severity of accidents concerning. Every year more than one million people worldwide die from the consequences of traffic accidents, per day or about 4,000. So a total of nearly 65,000 traffic accidents were registered in 2001 in Germany alone, where alcohol played a role. 909 people lost their lives.
The consequences of alcohol-related accidents are disproportionately hard. 1000 traffic accidents involving personal injury fall in average 16 killed in alcohol-related accidents killed 27 on the other hand.
According to the statistics of the Association of civil liability insurance provider in Germany, every fourth serious accident is due to the influence of alcohol, despite many efforts at prevention and awareness campaigns and inspections, Only a fraction of all journeys under the influence of alcohol will be discovered and punished by roadside checks.